Hello,

On Tuesday I drove up to Elmore, Vermont, a town with a population of around 900 people. Even in ten degree weather, with snow coming down, a large group had gathered at the Elmore Store to save their local post office. Vermonters showed up for their community: that’s the Vermont way.

I stood with the town of Elmore — the families, neighbors, and elementary school students who held up handmade signs — out in the snow because I am all in to help save our rural post offices. People rely on their post office not just to send letters — but for critical services like voting, sending and receiving checks, receiving their prescriptions, and running their businesses.

If the Elmore Post Office closes, folks will have to drive at least ten miles to pick up their mail because many rural homes are too far off the road for regular mail delivery. But Vermonters know that the Elmore Post Office is about more than just a P.O.Box. — especially during this pandemic. It’s also about seeing a friendly face when you drop off your mail. It’s about connection and community — and we all need it.

All over this country, postal services to rural areas have been slowed and threatened, leaving communities like Elmore stranded for far too long without essential services. Our USPS workers are doing their best working under enormous pressure due to staffing shortages and a reduction of service standards — and that’s largely because of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s failed leadership. It’s unacceptable. And while I know it’s incredibly frustrating to have to fight for our basic services, just know that we’re in this fight together.

If we want to demand real change, we need a functioning Postal Service. Add your name to call on Postmaster General DeJoy to resign.

I was proud to stand in solidarity with Elmore this week. It was an inspiration to see the residents of Elmore show their strength by coming together, as a community.

For far too long Vermonters and rural communities around the country have experienced slow mail service and a lack of mail processing machines. It’s time for Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to go. We cannot allow him to continue to destroy this essential service.

Show your support for the post office. Add your name to call on Postmaster General DeJoy to resign.

Thanks,

Peter