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Waxman wants ZIP change information
Congressman seeking 'real story' on Postal Service's reasons
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A Los Angeles County congressman wants more information on a proposal by the U.S. Postal Service to change ZIP codes in the Conejo Valley area.
Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, whose district includes Westlake Village, made the request to the Postal Service after concerns were expressed by 50 of his constituents, including Westlake Village Mayor Philippa Klessig and City Councilman Mark Rutherford, said a spokesman for the congressman.
If the Postal Service makes the change, it would apply to 57,941 street addresses and 3,895 post office boxes in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park, postal officials say.
In the House of Representatives, Waxman is chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which has jurisdiction over the Postal Service.
"The congressman has asked for more information about the reasons for the proposed ZIP code change," said the spokesman, adding that Waxman made the request to senior postal service officials in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29.
The Postal Service has said the change would be part of a restructuring program that would transfer the mail processing operation for Conejo Valley communities from a Santa Clarita facility to an Oxnard facility.
Klessig said the change could be costly for businesses that will have to reprint stationery as well as being an inconvenience to residential customers.
She said she became involved after hearing from several Westlake Village residents who expressed concerns that the Postal Service wasn't telling the public the whole story behind the plans.
"Congressman Waxman in the past has been very receptive to the city's needs," Klessig said. "He's trying to find out what the real story is. The initial proposal didn't really make sense to me, and my understanding is that the USPS will not make a decision before the questions are answered."
"To go through with a change is a burden for all of us," Rutherford said. "We really want to be sure it is for legitimate reasons."
A spokesman for the Postal Service said routing the mail through Oxnard would result in greater efficiency and is expected to speed up mail delivery in the Conejo Valley area.
The Postal Service said it expects to make a decision early this year. If the change is made, it would take effect in July.
The current ZIP codes could continue to be used on first-class mail for a year after the change takes effect. After that, letters with the old ZIP code would still be delivered, but a delay would occur because of additional handling.
Posted by horsespinner on February 12, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess the post office is limited in decision making. The zip says 913.. so it must be routed via Santa Clarita. I cant wait to this thinking makes it into my medical charts. I have a hang nail, it will only cost an arm and a leg,...literally!
Posted by tsetsaf on February 12, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When this first came down I called the TO/ WLV Chamber of Commerce to express my discontent and confusion as to the reasoning for this move. The Chamber's response was that they were ok with the move and refused to call together a meeting to discuss the impact of this move on businesses in the community.
I then wrote Gallegly and received a generic response that this is up to the Postal Service to dictate.
Thank you Waxman for taking this seriously! I am not crying wolf; simply asking what the impact will be on local businesses and citizens.
Posted by employee on February 12, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They always says it to improve service but its really to save money and service will suffer if allowed!!!
Posted by dgdr on February 13, 2008 at 12:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so ridiculous. The 913 portion of our ZIP code fits into the Los Angeles ZIP code scheme of 900-918 which routes our mail through Santa Clarita (previously Van Nuys). So to re-route the mail through Oxnard they say they have to completely change our ZIP codes to start with 930-931.
Come on you morons. How hard would it be to simply re-program your systems to send the 91360-91362 and 91320 mail to Oxnard? Is it really that hard or is your system so antiquated you can't make that simple change and would rather force all the local residents and business change their ZIP codes instead. Unbelievable. What a waste of time and resources.
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