Officials, Public Demands USPS Re-Open Shuttered Sound Beach Post Office or Find a New Location
Recently, Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine, Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico and Councilwoman Jane Bonner held a press conference in Sound Beach calling for the United States Postal Service (USPS) to reopen the shuttered Sound Beach Post Office or find a new location within the zip code for a new facility. The post office was closed by USPS earlier this summer, but no action has been taken by the Postal Service to reopen this vital community asset. Also, in attendance at the press conference were members of the Sound Beach Civic Association and Sound Beach residents who have been inconvenienced by the closing. Pictured (left to right) are Supervisor Ed Romaine (at the podium); Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico; Councilwoman Jane Bonner; Sound Beach Civic Association president Bea Ruberto and (left of Supervisor Romaine) is Chad Lennon, representing U.S. Congressman Nick LaLota (NY1).
Supervisor Romaine said, “Residents have always relied on the services that the local post office provides to the local community. Closing the Sound Beach Post Office and asking people, to travel out of the way to buy stamps, mail a package or pick one up is an inconvenience to many of our elderly residents who live in Sound Beach. I ask the US Postal Service to rectify this situation now and reopen the Sound Beach Post Office as soon as possible.”
Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico said, “The Sound Beach Post Office has been closed for far too long. It needs to either reopen safely or the US Government should cancel the lease with the landlord and find more suitable quarters. The people of Sound Beach deserve this most basic of services from our federal government.”
Councilwoman Jane Bonner said, “Closing this post office has been and will continue to be an inconvenience for the residents of Sound Beach. This situation must be resolved as soon as possible with repairs and renovations or a new Post Office in a nearby location. I thank U.S. Representative LaLota for pressing the US Postal Service to bring a resolution to this situation and keep the post office in Sound Beach.”
“I have contacted Postmaster General DeJoy to get information and demand answers ASAP for Sound Beach residents regarding the months-long closure of their post office, and I have called for a swift and safe reopening of the facility so that Sound Beach is delivered the post office and postal services they deserve,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-1) said, “The Sound Beach community deserves basic nearby postal services. My team and I have been in contact with USPS management who alleges a resolution is pending. Until I see action that satisfies the Sound Beach community, I will continue to hold USPS accountable to these families.”
New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo said: "I am proud to stand with Supervisor Romaine, local officials, and members of the Sound Beach Civic Association in calling on the US Postal Service to reopen the Sound Beach Post Office and put the needs of area residents first. Service cuts and vacant properties help no one. Our region is growing, and to meet that growth we need greater services for our seniors, families and local businesses."