Congressman William Owens (D-23) will be present at the Woodgate Community Hall on Wednesday, June 29 at 2:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed closing of the Woodgate Post Office with officials of the Town of Forestport and representatives from the Woodgate Citizens Committee.

The Woodgate Community Hall is located on the Bear Creek Road. The public is welcome to attend.

While in the area Congress-man Owens will tour the Woodgate Post Office and the Woodgate Library.

Twenty-two post offices in Owens’ congressional district will be affected by the proposed USPS closings and consolidations.

Owens has written Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in opposition of the actions.

Owens said he is also co-sponsor of House Bill HR1351, the USPS Pension Obligation Recalcualtion and Restoration Act of 2011.

According to Owens, the bill would help the Postal Service recoup nearly $7 billion in overpayments to its pension fund which could ultimately be used to continue serving rural America to the fullest extent possible.

Closure of the 3,400 small post offices nationwide would result in a 0.7 percent in savings to the Postal Service.

U. S. Senator Charles Schumer has also joined the Woodgate Post Office closure prevention actions by directing a letter concerning Woodgate to Marita Hines at the Postmaster General’s office.

A petition with over 600 signatures in opposition of Woodgate’s closure is being forwarded to the Postal Service and legislative leaders.

The Town of Forestport Town Board passed a resolution at their regular monthly meeting on June 15 in support of keeping the Woodgate Post Office open and appointing a new post master.

The Citizens Committee will meet at the Woodgate Library on Monday, June 20 at 7 p.m. to discuss its ongoing actions.