CASAGRANDE: KEEP FREEHOLD’S LAFAYETTE POST OFFICE SUBSTATION OPEN
PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVE’S BRIEF VALIDATES KEEPING SUBSTATION OPEN; SAYS POST
OFFICE’S DECISION TO CLOSE IS “SERIOUSLY FLAWED”
A recent brief by the federal Public Representative called the U.S.
Post Office’s decision to close the Lafayette substation in Freehold Borough
“seriously flawed,” validating local residents who rely on the facility and want
it to remain open, Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande said today.
“The Post Office’s reasons to close Lafayette are unfounded and do
not stand up to any objective scrutiny,” Casagrande, R-Monmouth and Mercer,
said. “Freehold Borough is a pedestrian community and the county seat of
Monmouth County. This facility is vital to many businesses and people who cannot
easily reach the Freehold Township Post Office, which is inaccessible to
pedestrians.
“Congressman Chris Smith has led to effort to keep this office open
and the Public Representative has validated his work,” Casagrande added. “Keep
the substation open.”
The Public Representative also said the Post Office’s “economic
justification is seriously flawed and requires further consideration and
explanation [.] revenues are over 4 times the magnitude of the alleged cost
savings relied upon by the Postal Service. This is not a facility that was
losing money. But for the fact that the trailer was in substandard condition,
this was a viable postal facility.”
“The substation generates revenue four times the amount that the
Postal Service estimates it will save by shutting it down,” Casagrande said.
“It’s clear why the Post Office is failing because they choose to shut down
offices that are actually making money.
“There are plenty of great spaces available for lease in downtown
Freehold Borough would make perfect postal facilities,” Casagrande added. “I
invite Postal officials down to take a look at them.”