OregonElectors: Saving Rural Post Offices

News from Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley's office.

Senator Jeff Merkley

(WASHINGTON DC) - This week, the Senate is debating closing thousands of rural post offices across America. Senator Merkley is fighting to keep Oregon's rural post offices open.

In many small towns, post offices are a critical piece of the local economy. It would be a huge mistake to close them. Yet that is exactly what the Postal Service is talking about doing in a misguided effort to save money.

In places like Juntura in Malheur County, Tiller in Douglas, and New Pine Creek in Lake, post offices are the hub of small towns. A communications link and the heart of local communities. The closure of these rural post offices will be devastating. Senator Merkley directly responded to constituents who are concerned about the status of our rural post offices.

Made in Oregon Tour

During the April work period, Senator Merkley crisscrossed Oregon visiting local manufacturers on a listening tour to find out what is and is not working for Oregon businesses. He held roundtables in Portland, Eugene, Medford, and Bend and met with businesses in Klamath Falls, Pendleton, The Dalles and Hood River to talk about what can help grow Oregon manufacturing. You can check out photos of the tour here, media coverage here, and read more about it here (pdf).

Town Halls

Next week, Senator Merkley is continuing his commitment to hold a town hall in every county, every year. He will update constituents on his work in Washington, DC, answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America. Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Wasco and Columbia Counties will be his 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th town halls of 2012.

Crook County Town Hall
Sunday, April 29, 2012
1:30 pm
COCC Crook County Open Campus Building
510 SE Lynn Blvd
Prineville, Oregon 97754

Deschutes County Town Hall
Sunday, April 29, 2012
4:30 pm
Bend Senior Center
1600 SE Reed Market Road
Bend, Oregon 97702

Jefferson County Town Hall
Monday, April 30, 2012
2:00 pm
Jefferson County Senior Center
860 SW Madison
Madras, OR 97741

Wasco County Town Hall
Monday, April 30, 2012
6:00 pm
The Dalles Veterans Home
700 Veterans Drive
The Dalles, OR 97058

Columbia County Town Hall
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
4:00 pm
Clatskanie Middle/High School
Norm Makela Commons
471 NW Bel Air Drive
Clatskanie, OR 97016