Washington, DC In a decision earlier this week the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced that it will no longer move forward with its study on whether to close the Flint Station branch in Fall River, Massachusetts. Consideration of the Flint Station branch for closure was met with widespread concern by the residents of Fall River, many of whom are senior citizens dependent on this facility for essential services. The decision by the USPS to terminate its study is a welcome announcement to this tightknit community.

 

Last week, Congressman William Keating (MA9) and Congressman Joseph Kennedy, III (MA4) joined the Mayor of Fall River, William Flanagan, in strongly urging the USPS to retain the Flint Station branch as it plays a vital role in the community. On August 1, the Congressmen sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe reiterating Mayor Flanagan's July 24th letter to President Obama on the importance of the Flint Station to the Fall River community.

 

"Like post offices across the Commonwealth, the Flint Station branch provides a vital service to residents, businesses and the surrounding community," said Senator Markey. "I commend the decision by the USPS to keep this branch open, and I applaud Reps. Keating and Kennedy and Mayor Flanagan for their work to ensure that families and especially our senior citizens in Fall River have access to Flint Station in the future."

 

"I applaud the decision by the USPS to end consideration of the Flint Station for closure," said Congressman Keating. "In a period of continued economic growth and recovery, now is not the time to leave our residents without access to the variety of services that this facility provides."

 

"The Post Office's Flint Station plays an invaluable role in the Fall River community," said Congressman Kennedy. "It provides essential services for families across the city, especially the senior citizens in the surrounding neighborhood who depend on the facilities' accessibility for their postal service needs. I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues Congressman Bill Keating and Mayor Will Flanagan to ensure its doors remain open." 

"I am proud to have been able to work with Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, Congressman Bill Keating and Congressman Joe Kennedy to keep the Flint Post Office open," said Mayor Flanagan. "The Federal Government was discussing to close this office however with our advocacy the branch will remain open especially since it is used by our senior citizens as well as being handicapped accessible!"