Re:  Dixieland Post Office off the closure list!

Dear Editor:

The Postal Service recently took the extraordinary step of targeting approximately 700 postal stations and branches for possible closure, including the Dixieland Station in Lakeland. This closure would have deprived the residents of Lakeland of easy access to crucial services and would have negatively impacted local businesses. On December 15, 2009, the USPS indicated that the Dixieland Station will not be closing and the list of stations under consideration for closing is now down to 168 locations.  I believe the decision not to close Dixieland Station was a direct result of our community's involvement.

I want to thank the Congressmen and Congresswomen of our community, the Mayor of the City of Lakeland, our Lakeland City Commissioners, Polk County Commissioners, our Senators, and the community that rallied behind our fight to keep this Station open.  Our Lakeland postal employees will continue to provide the best possible service that our community has come to expect and deserve.

Sincerely,

/s/ Joe Paul

Joe Paul

President

Citrus Center Area Local #3799