Postal Service articles are misleading
Recent articles about the Postal Service losing billions of dollars annually resulting in the proposed reduction of services, including next-day delivery of first class mail, elimination of Saturday mail delivery and the closing of offices, are misleading and incomplete.
Contrary to what is being reported, in the past four fiscal years, the Postal Service made a net profit of more than $600 million sorting and delivering the mail. The $20 billion in Postal loses you've heard about is a direct result of a 2006 Congressional mandate that requires the Postal Service to prefund future retiree health benefits for the next 75 years, and to do so within a decade. This burden, which no other government agency or private business faces, is paid directly out of the Postal Service's operating budget and has cost the USPS $21 billion to date.
Rather than a reduction in services presented as a foregone conclusion, Congress needs to address its mandate and responsibly revise, so one of the oldest and most trusted institutions in America can avoid certain demise.
It's not that the Postal Service doesn't face difficult challenges, such as operating in a distressed economy, the competition of the Internet and reduction in first class mail over the past decade. However, it is the centerpiece of a $1.3 trillion mailing industry that supports 9 million jobs. It has been in existence since 1775, binding together this vast nation, offering inexpensive service to every resident no matter how remote. In an age of loss of services, are we really ready to forfeit the letter carrier coming to your door Monday through Saturday, no matter where you live?
Michael G. Hubbs
Oneonta
Otsego Manor is like living in a hotel
In response to last week's letter regarding Otsego Manor. I'm sorry that person had a bad experience. I have lived at Otsego Manor, Country Meadows, for the past two years and have not had a bad experience. I visit the grounds regularly inside and out. The Manor has several courtyards to visit on the grounds. In my travels, my power chair has had numerous breakdowns, but everyone has always been more then willing to help me. The facility has a small gym to exercise in, with three qualified instructors. The shower room is set up like a spa, with a shower or whirlpool bath. The activities director has many activities for the residents to do, almost as much as you would see on a cruise ship.
The food is excellent and you can get just about anything you could wish for. My experience here has been quite the opposite of the person who wrote the negative letter about Otsego Manor last week.
I tell everyone that asks me that living here is like living in a hotel but with medical coverage. If they can find a better place to live, I wish they would share it with us.
Francis Weeks
Cooperstown
