The post office in Houghton is pictured. (Houghton Daily Mining Gazette photo)

MARQUETTE — On Jan. 20, U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman released an open letter to the Postmaster General and the Chief Executive Officer seeking answers as to why Upper Peninsula residents have been experiencing slowdowns in mail delivery.

“I write to express concern regarding the state of mail service in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula, particularly in the Iron Mountain and Kingsford communities,” wrote Bergman, R-Watersmeet. “My office continues to hear from constituents who are experiencing significant delays and other disruptions in mail delivery across the area.”

Along with the Mining Journal, both the Daily Mining Gazette in Houghton and the Iron Mountain Daily News have reported receiving complaints from subscribers reporting that they are not receiving their papers in the mail.

“These delays are preventing the timely delivery of essential, time-sensitive mail,” wrote Bergman. “The impacts are particularly acute at the turn of the calendar year, when households and businesses depend on prompt receipt and processing of mailed items that carry firm deadlines — such as utility bills, payments, business licenses, and other financial documents.”

Bergman then set out a list of questions for the United States Postal Service, including asking whether the delays have anything to do with changes implemented at Iron Mountain’s processing and distribution center under the United States Postal Service’s Delivering For America Plan. He also asks whether these delays could be due to staffing shortages.

Elizabeth Najduch, USPS Strategic Communications Specialist, posits that weather could contribute to delays in mail delivery.

“The U.S. Postal Service delivers mail in severe weather conditions to maintain our commitment to providing reliable service to every address we serve, including critical items such as medications, government correspondence, and essential supplies,” said Najduch. “The Postal Service continuously monitors weather conditions and reinforces safety guidance to help ensure employees can deliver mail as safely as possible while continuing to provide delivery to our customers. Mail delivery will be attempted only in areas where roads are passable and safe.”

Bergman has set a timeline of 30 days for the United States Postal Service to reply to his letter.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext.. Her email address is

alippert@miningjournal.net

.