Merkley, Wyden, Schrader, Axelrod Successfully Push West Linn Post Office to Remain Open into 2021
Lawmaker intervention and public pressure convinced USPS to extend lease, remain in current location into next year
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, with Representative Kurt Schrader and West Linn Mayor Russ Axelrod, today announced that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) building in West Linn will remain open through February, ensuring that West Linn customers will have access to the building’s services through the November general election and holiday peak mail season.
The announcement follows a push from the lawmakers to delay a USPS move, as the agency looks for a new permanent site in West Linn. With its lease slated to end on Oct. 31, USPS announced plans to suspend operations in West Linn on Sept. 25, and direct customers to services in Gladstone and Oregon City. West Linn residents were surprised by the announcement and concerned that moving services at this time could have negative impacts on their community, including creating hurdles for voters to mail in ballots. After an effort that included a letter from Merkley, Wyden and Schrader, USPS agreed to extend its lease until Feb. 28, 2021.
“West Linn residents rely on their Post Office for casting their ballots, getting life-saving prescriptions, and keeping in touch with loved ones. They deserve to be in the loop as USPS considers its future operations in the city,” Merkley said. “Thanks to the public, Mayor Axelrod, and other local officials for doing their part to keep the Post Office in place through the end of the year.”
“Keeping the current West Linn post office open through February 2021 is a must to make sure residents face no interruption of vote-by-mail in the upcoming election as well as receive sustained service to prescriptions delivered by mail,” Wyden said. “Today’s announcement reflects great teamwork by customers, Mayor Axelrod and other local officials working with the congressional delegation to deliver this win for the community.”
“Keeping our post office in West Linn is critical to our community and I want to thank all parties for listening and coming together on this issue,” Axelrod said. “Thank you to our federal delegation, and especially the additional support and leadership from Senator Merkley during this final push.”
###
Next Article Previous Article
