Bangor does not need a new post office. It's fine where it is.

Bangor DOES need a new post office ... it is very difficult at times to find a parking spot if one has packages to ship etc., the little rinky dink kparking lot across the street is always full, and not everyone allows pedestrians to cross there. Seems to me tht Millers would be about perfect.

Interesting that all government buildings are moving to Main St. down near the river, near oil storage and betweem the bridges, Sounds like war manuvers, or are they just trying to prevent people from escaping higher taxes by way of the river? Soon will be the fences and the Army with guns to shoot the people who really own this country.

Notice how the two patsies, supposedly carrying bombs on planes got by all that homeland security, thats all b.s.

Scintillate you really need to take your meds before you post!

A new post office, definitely. Using an existing building, definitely. Considering a place with ample parking, definitely. Close to the downtown area, definitely. What's the catch - this definitely makes too much sense.

How about encouraging people to WALK to the post office? Drivers are required by law to stop for people in the crosswalk. I understand that people need vehicle access to send and receive large packages, but I see too many fat people fighting to park as close as possible to minimize the number of steps they have to take to drop off a few envelopes.

A move from one building with no parking to another building with no parking, the district court building,, is exactly what will happen. After all, it makes the most sense, doesn't it?

The GSA evicted the Post Office a year or two ago and they have had plenty of time to build a new Post Office that we could be proud of. Now with about 3 months to go they are going to shove an inadequate location on us. We need a location with plenty of parking. Of the current sites Millers is best. Typical tax payer subsidized operation. Wonder if someone is getting there pockets lined with the suggested locations?

The USPS is NOT funded in any way by tax money.

Not really true postal, they are constantly getting bailed out...With tax payer money....

See The US Postal Service Is Self-Sufficient

http://www.nalc.org/postal/perform/selfsufficient.html

You are correct Anne, but the postal service is constantly getting bailed out by the tax payer.

So it really it isn't self sufficient....

That's why it is billions in the red all the time.....

Just a little technicality that’s all.....

Everyone dosen't live close enough to the post office to walk there, and especially carrying packages! It's a horror show getting thru there at times. People walk right out in front of vehicles without bothering to look. You don't always see them until they are right in front of you! There is never a place to park. It is the worst place in the city to get in and out of. . A place where you could actually park, get out, and go inside would be wonderful!

The choice has already been made. This is nothing more than a farce to create the illusion of legitimacy for the deal.

Have we really grown so lazy that it's too much to park and walk across the road? We really need to have a drive through window at the post office? I'm not sure why Miller's is getting so much press - there's no shortage of vacant property in this town. HOw about that nasty empty used car lot across from the fire station?

It's up to drivers to watch out for people in a crosswalk -- not the other way around. And the reason that there's never a place to park is that people are too lazy to walk. Also, the Center Street BAT bus stops within a block of the post office. Let's plan Bangor's future around people instead of cars.

The Postal Service is bankrupt. The Postal Service lost over 7 Billion Dollars last year. Mail volume is down by billions of pieces of mail per year. The Internet has destroyed the Postal Service. Snail Mail is finished. Post Offices and plants are being closed all over the USA. Yet the District of Maine wants a new Bangor Post Office? These people that manage the Postal Service are incompetent.

On 1/7/10 at 9:07 AM, hankwilliams wrote: Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It's up to drivers to watch out for people in a crosswalk -- not the other way around. And the reason that there's never a place to park is that people are too lazy to walk. Also, the Center Street BAT bus stops within a block of the post office. Let's plan Bangor's future around people instead of cars.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not so fast, the person walking across the sidewalk is required to stop and look before crossing the road.

From Factcheck.org 10/06/2009

http://www.factcheck.org/2009/10/factcheck-mailbag-week-of-sept-29-oct-5/

Postal Subsidies

Is the U.S. Postal Service subsidized by the U.S. government? And if yes, by how much per year?

Charles J. Rogers

Lynchburg, Tenn.

FactCheck.org responds: In theory, the U.S. Postal Service has been a self-supporting government entity since it was reorganized in 1970. According to a recent report by the USPS Office of Inspector General, it receives about $100 million a year from taxpayers to offset the cost of free or subsidized mailing privileges "to groups that Congress and the Administration agree deserve support from the taxpayers." The subsidy is currently limited to free mail for the blind and for official mail to overseas voters, the IG report states.

Stevey_Dee,

The Postal Service uses NO tax dollars for anything. Is it losing money? Yes! But go ask Collins why that is. The USPS is required to prepay its employee retirement benefits. This alone cost billions!

Knightscross,

Bangor has no choice in a new PO. They have to move out of where they are regardless. The best thing they could do would be to build and not rent. They have already wasted enough money renting where they are. Plants and PO's are being closed yes, but they are consolidating those jobs to other places to try and save money. You yourself could "help" keep good paying jobs with good benefits (at least in this state) here by mailing bills in. What's it cost you? .41 cents! I bet you waste more than that on other useless crap.

hankwilliams says "Bangor does not need a new post office. It's fine where it is." Did you even read the article? The federal government is requiring them to vacate the space they currently use in the federal building. They _have_ to move.

You are correct Anne, but that is not using tax dollars to support the USPS. It is there to support people in certain situations.

Postal, the USPS has been bailed out. With what? Tax payers money..

As I say its just a technicality.

9:38 pm, I understand that and was only trying to point that out to those who are under the misapprehension that the USPS is taxpayer-funded. I fully support and appreciate the work of the United States Postal Service.

If the postal service recieves ANY money from the Govt then it is taxpayer-funded.

Not 100% funded but it recieves tax payers money....

I say move into the old Millers building. Good parking great location.

Stevey_Dee,

Where's your proof? That's right, there isn't any.

Anne,

I know you were. I was just trying to explain it for "others" to understand. And thank you for your support. There are a lot of hard working people at the USPS and Maine has some of the best in the country.

Stevey, Stevey, Stevey,

That money is to help the disabled and others in tough situations. Not to fund the USPS. The blind get to mail everything free because you and I pay for it.

The bail out has nothing to do with the blind

I had proof.

Will find..

But I wont use Wiki :)

Postal I think most people have no problem with the post office. I dont myself.

We are just saying that the USPS is always in the red.

I like my post office.

As a matter of fact we have too many post offices in my area..

Each little town has a post office.

They are all with in a five mile radius of each other.. 6 of them...

I do like I dont have to wait in line.

I have a post office and a John Deere dealer side by side.

Cant get any better.

I'm certainly not to lazy to walk across the street, Bangorian, but I have never in 7 years seen a place across the street to park----I take it you don't go to the P.O. very often? I have been using the stores that offer mail services for a long time now, when I can. They offer the same services as the P.O. Especially good at Fairmount Market on Hammond. Fast, easy, and great people. And, there's a place to park. Just so much easier.No problem not being able to see people walking out between cars!-----The P.O. is fine, just can't get in there.

Scintillate - Huh?

Stevey_Dee - Tough to say you were wrong, isn't it?

Proof..

http://directmag.com/news/marketing_appropriations_bill_cuts/

So many articles out there on USPS bail out's it isn't funny..

I think we should have a post office with a drive-up window. No extra parking needed.

hankwilliams: Pedestrians of course need to follow the rules of the road as well, but it is more often those driving who drive right through those crosswalks; it happens over and over. Not a very walker-friendly place...and that is too bad.

Maybe where you live Knightcross- the post office is dying- but in Bangor, let me assure you, this Post Office is extremely busy! Not only can you not find places to park etc, there is usually a line inside the Post office itself.

As for walking to the PO- be real. I would walk if I could, but I dont live at all close- and my schedule does not allow me riding the the bat bus just to make a trip to the PO . The ONLY reason I ever go downtown ( hate shopping there ) is to go to the PO- hope they chose the old Millers site!

Louise - either you are exaggerating or you have the worst luck I've every encountered (I've lived in Bangor for 20 years and I've never had a problem, so I don't believe you). If there's not a place across the street, then there's going to be a place on the street in front of the building. If those spots are all occupied, there is a city parking lot across from the library, 100 yards from the post offices front door. Give me a break.

Stevey,

That is the same thing Anne posted. All that proves is you and me both pay for others to have free postage. That is far from tax payers supporting the USPS. Nice try though.

I can't wait for a commom sense approach to the post office. This past september, I suffered a hit and run in broad daylight, right in front of the office...streets chock full all aorund, and no witnesses at the same time...how wound up is the retarded traffic situation? can't even make a left turn oput of the da,n parking lot sometimes, losing time and fuel going all the way around up and over a hill...bothering resident neighbors who do not need this retarded outdated scenario either. and that tiny space for people to wait inline...it makes me very "phobic". the millers restaurant gets my vote, or something similar. a sense of open all around the building. the downtown version is like a castle with a dark abyss ...

Hey Knightcross be careful. Don't make postal go "postal" on your a..

Most of the building mentioned have terrible parking space available, except for the former Miller's location. Until certain people have walked in another's shoes they might want to hold their thoughts, but most insensitive people could care less about another person feelings or what has brought them to this point in thier lives. Some do have a thyroid imbalance and others may not be overweight but have some medical condition that warrants handicap parking. Unless you know all the facts "Scintillate" please be quiet

Stevey Dee-

Repeating the same fallacy over and over doesn't make it true.

May I also suggest you look at it with some perspective: $100 million for postage for the blind and Congressional mailings may well be a lot of money on its own. But out of a roughly $65 billion dollar operation it equals les than one-sixth of one-percent. If your inflammatory and inaccurate allegation of the term "USPS bailout" (no one has ever suggested this) or "taxpayer supported" (another red herring), were even considered, a helluva larger number would be necessary to make it ring true. Even if your two inaccurate claims were true, it'd be comparable to saying someone with a cold were terminally ill.

Just wondering: As someone who has a bone to pick with funding mail for the blind, the "criminally" overweight, "constant" taxpayer bailouts (!) for the Postal Service, and seems to see a boogeyman behind every tree, I'll bet a cup of coffee that you are a tea-bagger and/or a "birther," too.

We all believe what we want to believe, but a little critical thinking about what you are reading is in order.

We believe what we want to believe.

donnelly, there is a long line because the Postal Service eliminated many window clerk jobs because of the lack of mail.. That's why you wait in long lines. I know I use to be a window clerk. The Postal Service could care less how long you wait. Enjoy your wait !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

no Knightscross-- thats not really true in Bangor either, sorry to tell you. There are most always 2 open counters, and at rush hours, sometimes up to 4. Simply put- the Bangor PO is a busy one. As per parking- Ive never NOT found one, but its been a hike at times. But pulling out of the little parking lot across the street IS a nightmare, having to drive up the road and to turn around is the norm. Bangor73- sorry about the hit and run- I 100% can imagine that happening there- the current site is a complete and total nightmare!

On 1/7/10 at 9:35 AM, postal wrote: "Stevey_Dee, The Postal Service uses NO tax dollars for anything".....Really postal?? The USPS does get taxpayer support at around $96 million budgeted annually by Congress for the "Postal Service Fund." These funds are used to compensate USPS for postage-free mailing for all legally blind persons and for mail-in election ballots sent from US citizens living overseas. A portion of the funds also pays USPS for providing address information to state and local child support enforcement agencies, and for keeping some rural posts offices in operation......sounds an awful lot like some taxapyer support to me......

Come on Pab, 96 Million is just a miniscule amount and doesn't even deserve to be mentioned..:)

USPS gets a bailout! Thu, 09/24/2009 - 4:24pm | posted by Jason Pye.

The Post Office is next in line for a bailout: The House voted Thursday to freeze Medicare Part B premiums for most elderly next year, even as Democrats moved to exempt the Postal Service from having to make $4 billion in payments due next week to cover retirement health benefits for its employees. At a meeting of House and Senate Appropriations Committee negotiators Thursday morning, the Postal Service language was incorporated into a stop-gap continuing resolution, or CR, that Congress must enact in the next week to keep the full government operations. As adopted, the postal agency, which now faces a liability of $5.4 billion due Sept. 30, would have to pay only $1.4 billion and would be allowed to effectively defer the remaining $4 billion until after 2017. According to the Government Accountability Office, the Post Office is expected to lose $7 billion this year (2009) and have more than $13 billion in debt by the end of 2010. Despite this, one of the most glaring examples of government inefficiency, they will receive a bailout from Congress over privatization.....

Personally, Bangorian, I don't give a damn if you believe me or not! I take it you have a lot of time to drive around looking! I don't . How anal you sound, with your know-it-all attitude!

chersully---if you drive thru there you have to really watch, especially at lunch time.Traffic parked on both sides, open vehicle doors, people trying to get out of that matchbox parking lot. And people Do step out in front of you even tho most of us are hardly moving. You must see this as you say you are always walking.

bedwith---Brewer does have a drive-thru window, so I have been told.

I was only making a point about the lack of parking and people not paying attention! I had forgotten how personally some of you people take all these comments!

Lack of parking is the problem with the current site. but we cant afford a new post office now. thats just reality. we need to deal with this inconvenience until the economics gets better. thats what the average taxpayer has to do when they run out of money and its what we need to do.

Anyone who thinks the USPS doesn't think receive money from the tax payer is full of poop. This means you kjb481. Your eyes are brown..

Calling me a birther and a teabagger. Better think again SFB...

Obviously you are or were a Post Office employee that got your feelings hurt.

So you win the honorary tissue award for the day..

post office needs to move to a place that has PARKING LOT, AMPLE PARKING some of you people are so stupid thinking the current location is fine! IT IS NOT FINE there is no parking and its not a safe place! people shouldnt be crossing a busy street to get to the post office, the post office should have its own parking lot, its own set back location like any other post office around. miller location would be a good place.. definatly not the old defunt court house that would cost millions and millions to renovate and still have ZERO PARKING .. post office next door to COUNTY JAIL does not work.. post office gets TRUCK LOADS OF MAIL people.. it will be congested.. think THINK FOR JUST A MINUTE

Louise. Re 2:37 PM I agreed with you re the problems that pedestrians and others have around the Post Office in Bangor. I have walked there, and driven and there are issues surrounding both. Last I knew there was a drive-up window at the Brewer Post Office but that may have changed.

2:37 pm, First, you are citing a Mr. Jason Pye's blog post as your source, whoever he is. He is partially quoting a Politico article. The quote from the actual article ends at the number 2017. Either you or he left out the quotation marks there. The rest is his undocumented opinion.

Second, you obviously didn't actually read what you posted. It says the USPS can "defer the remaining $4 billion." It doesn't say anything about taxpayers funding the deferment. If you read the actual article, (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27513.html) it goes on to state that "critics argued the $4 billion will now be added as a potential cost on the government’s books." "Potential" isn't the same as "actual."

This appears to be the same billions in retirement benefits mentioned by postal at 9:35 am.

Your posting is hardly proof of a taxpayer bailout. Though it's nice to see you make the effort to come to the aid of your idiot friend, however futile.

Give it up Anne, your wrong.

Nice try.

Please let it be at the courthouse downtown. Imagine all that mail from all the offices and businesses downtown having to be driven out Main St. to Millers or BDN. Most appear to walk their mail there now, as evidenced by the constant stream of professional looking people walking up and down Harlow St between Cumberland and Central(where else would they be going, the tattooo parlor???)

If it moves out of downtown, forget EVER driving down main Street again, it will be full of cars going from downtown businesses to the post office.

12:31 pm, as kjb481 stated at 1:46 pm, "Repeating the same fallacy over and over doesn't make it true." This is a news blog, not a disinformation center. You should go post your Right-Wing lies somewhere that readers don't see any qualitative difference between fact and opinion.

Stevey it's called class envy.....LOL!! *Postal Service Asks Congress for Bailout: Associated Press: March 25, 2009: Postmaster General John Potter said Wednesday the financially strapped U.S. Postal Service will run out of money this year without help from Congress. The only lingering question, Potter told a House subcommittee, is which bills will get paid and which will not.

*Special delivery USPS bailout: Washington Post Ed: (St. Petersburg Times) Thursday, July 30, 2009. It looks as if the U.S. Postal Service is getting its bailout. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has advanced legislation to relax the Postal Service's obligation to prepay its employee retirement benefits, an action that would save it an estimated $2 billion annually.

*Can the Postal Service be Saved? (By Brian Montopoli: CBS News) With Losses Mounting, Postal Service Seeks Autonomy, Pushes to Cut Saturday Service; Rep. Danny Davis Calls for a Bailout: The Postal Service, as it is quick to point out, is legally prohibited from taking tax dollars. But in order to stay afloat, the agency has been actively borrowing from the U.S. Treasury: At last count, according to Postal Service spokeswoman Yvonne Yoerger, it owes the government $10.2 billion.

*(Forbes.com 01.19.09) As the economy continues its downward slide, the U.S. Postal Service just made it even more difficult for businesses already struggling to survive. On Jan. 18, USPS raised prices between 3% and 8% for both Priority and Express Mail. To make matters worse, USPS is now lining up at Congress' financial soup kitchen--seeking what amounts to a taxpayer bailout.

Your wrong again Anne...

I'm not right wing.....

Please pay attention...

I'm an Independent.

1 more strike left.......

0 for 2.....

Anyway Anne.

How was your Holiday's.

You never answered me..:)

I always knew you were full of it Pab... : )

We all know frank_anne_stein can't be wrong : )

You know Anne,don't you find it quite uncanny that HRH alway's show's up when old Pabby Poo pop's in?????

I do :)

lol, Stevey, start something else why don't you.

That was paying him back for the AARP crack yesterday

Not me, I just report what I see, :)

Some more disinformation about the reality of the USPS and it's sucking monies out of the taxpayer's pockets.....

*Wastewatcher, November 2009: This is not the first time that the USPS has attempted to go outside its core mission of delivering mail, looking for revenue. The GAO (Government Accountability Office), among others, has issued strong warnings against this kind of postal adventurism. Contrary to the picture often painted by USPS officials, who complain tirelessly about the unfair advantages their “competitors” enjoy, the USPS is a government monopoly with many valuable protections and advantages, like regulatory and tax exemptions. The USPS’s structural problems, however, must not be an excuse for another never-ending taxpayer bailout or the transformation of the USPS into the next incarnation of the now bankrupted and discredited government sponsored enterprise model exemplified by Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac. These both worked out well wouldn’t you agree?

Here is how it is SUPPOSED to work: USPS is responsible for employees' post-retirement health benefits. Here's the issue: USPS and other federal agencies fund pension obligations as they are earned by employees. Each year, they're supposed to kick in funds from their budgets that pay their future costs. But USPS, like other federal agencies, only pays for retiree health benefits when the employees actually retire. You don't have to be an actuary to realize that those costs will balloon in coming years, as more and more of USPS's 820,000 employees retire. And, if they are not keeping up on these payments now, deferring these very benefit monies into costs for operations, what makes any sensible person think they will be able to pay “back payments” in 2017?? The Democrats in Congress say this is only a “temporary” measure to tide the Postal Service over while they’re short on cash. Uh huh. No governmentprogram is ever “temporary”. This particular bailout doesn’t come due until 2017, at which time I’m sure it’ll be kicked down the road again, having been only the beginning of an annual taxpayer lifeline to the Post Office.

The fact of the matter is that the Postal Service is facing bankruptcy without the assistance of the federal government. USPS does not have to pay most taxes and is exempt from most of the regulations that burden truly-commercial firms. Even so, these businesses are able to operate more efficiently and more profitably than the Postal Service. USPS was created at a time when no private entity was willing or able to deliver mail across a developing nation. Now that we have capable private organizations eager to do so, USPS should be contracting in size and mission. Legislation that encourages a government monopoly to instead expand into new and competitive markets is misguided, to say the least.

What did HRH finally wake up and get out of bed?? Must be nice to be a true senior citizen!

12:53 pm, if you think relaxing the Postal Service's obligation to prepay its employee retirement benefits is the same as a bailout by the taxpayers, you are delusional. Here's an example. A judge determines that an employer is not obligated to pay an employee's workman's comp claim. Explain how that is a bailout by the taxpayers.

The reason they make them pay up front is because that's the only way the retired workers would get their money.

Actually I was talking to a post office employee in the PWM bar and they don't get paid that much... He was like only a GS 7.

We start out at GS 12 where we work....

Maybe I should send HRH my cane..

I don't need it but I wanted to be prepared.....

Here's a link for you HRH and you can thank me later....theSCOOTERstore.com/Seniors....your welcome!

Pay back 'ole man... :)

Something got deleted HRH :) Shame on UUUUU..

I'm glad you 2 are collecting SS that I'm paying in on now.....:)

You guys need to order the talking Bass for your wall like Electra..

I just offered to tell you where to store your cane tilll

you need it...WOW... I'll catch my own bass thanks. I

don't need them to talk.

I love the talking bass.... HRH always manages to somehow upset the apple cart....It's Friday!!

Catch her own bass???

She couldn't even catch a cold.

One more example of the disinformation as to taxpayer monies and the USPS.....(Tue. 12/22/2009) USPS parties at taxpayer expense:

For a government entity that will lose $7.8 billion in 2010, the United States Postal Service doesn’t seem all that concerned about cutting back to save some money; A recent audit by the USPS inspector general found $800,000 in unjustified and “imprudent” purchases, most of which occurred in just a five month span. The following are some highlights or lowlights for us disinformation agents:

*No business justification was provided for $355,451 of food provided at a national sales educational conference attended by over 600 employees…We noted that beer and wine were served on one occasion, a bartender charge of $500 was included on one occasion, and one dinner for 650 guests totaled $62,714, which is $96 per guest.”

*A postmaster installation celebration and reception held in included unallowable food purchases totaling over $17,000. The menu included crab cakes, beef wellington, shrimp, and scallops.”

*A two-day meeting in September that cost $27,567, including a per dinner cost of $93. In addition, employees were provided paid lodging “even though their official duty station was within nine miles of the conference facility.”

*Five employees purchased gift cards from unauthorized vendors totaling $31,791. Two districts purchased almost $15,000 worth of movie tickets. Another district purchased thirty retirement watches at $216 a pop.

*Three meetings included expenses for flowers, linens, candles, and red carpets totaling $4,579.”

These are not rare lapses by USPS management. The inspector general has issued fourteen audits in the last three years with similar findings. The U.S. Postal Service seeks $25 billion federal bailout, March 27th, 2009, and the GAO predicts the cash crunch will hit even harder next year. The postal service has asked Congress for $25 billion over eight years in financial relief.

On 1/8/10 at 4:07 PM, Stevey_Dee wrote:

Catch her own bass???

She couldn't even catch a cold.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I could out fish you any day of the week Stevey...

And by the way, I have a cold right now. And what did

I do to upset the applecart? It's Steveys fault Pab.

You guys quit picking on me. : )

Sounds to me like a fishing challenge has been issued....let's see if the SMIB is up for it!

Oh, sorry.... Hope you feel better....

You know I moved from Bangor over 26 years ago and things are still the same. People in Maine don't like change. So what if the post office is going to move. I agree the old Millers would be great. Easy to get in and out of . Lots of parking. I used to live close to the post office and there was never good parking. Also, so what if the government gives money to the USPS. I would rather that, then give more of OUR tax money to bail out car companies and credit card companies. If we all started writing leters to each other agoin, I for one would love to get something in my mail box that isn't junk mail or bills, The Post Office wouldn't be in debt.