Dear John,

One of my favorite things about being back home is having the opportunity to meet with you all to hear your thoughts, ideas and suggestions about how we can work together to improve the Second District. And this week, between my January Town Hall, joining South St. Paul Police Chief Brian Wicke for a ride-along and meeting with USPS officials at the Lakeville Post Office – I was able to do just that!

On Wednesday, Lakeville Mayor Luke Hellier and I visited the Lakeville Post Office to bring your concerns about mail delivery delays and the postal service in the South Metro directly to USPS officials. We had a productive conversation at the post office and USPS officials shared some important updates with us:

1. We’ve known for a while that one of the main causes of the mail delivery delays in the Second District has been a shortage in postal clerks and letter carriers. During our meeting, USPS officials let us know that these workforce shortages are close to being resolved in Lakeville. 

2. They let Mayor Hellier and I know that USPS service levels in the Lakeville community are improving and that residents will begin to receive their mail on a more consistent basis shortly. 

We continue to talk to them about service in other #MN-02 communities, and I have requested more in-person visits over the coming weeks, but USPS made it clear: they simply need more full and part-time workers. So, if you or anyone you know is looking to start a great new career, please visit https://about.usps.com/careers/ or attend one of USPS’s job fairs next week in Roseville. More information can be found here: How to Apply for a Postal Service Job.

It was good to hear that progress is being made, but I’ll keep pushing until service levels improve. Every Minnesotan should be able to send and receive their mail consistently.

Here's what else I was up to this week:

Joining South St. Paul Police Chief Brian Wicke for a Ride-Along

This week, I had the opportunity to join South St. Paul Police Chief Brian Wicke for a ride-along and gain invaluable insight into the everyday challenges that officers in his department face – and how Congress can provide them with the resources they need. Thanks for the visit, Chief Wicke!

Hosting my January Town Hall with District 196 Superintendent Mary Kreger

I hosted my 49th Town Hall on Monday with Superintendent Mary Kreger. It was so great to talk about all things education with Mary and share the latest about my work in Congress. Thanks to everyone who tuned in!

Meeting with the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office

This Thursday, I met with our new Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko and his team to discuss how we can best work together to keep our communities safe.

Behind the scenes with Rep. Craig:

A little while back, the CEO of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Adam Birr, nominated me to participate in Minnesota Pork’s Pounds of Pork give-away by pledging a donation of pork products to a food pantry here in the Second District. So this week, I made my donation to The Open Door here in Eagan, as well as toured their amazing new facility in Eagan. Thanks for all that The Open Door does to help clients in the South Metro.

Next up, I’m nominating President of the Minnesota Farm Bureau, Dan Glessing, to participate in the Minnesota Pork Pounds of Pork donation.

Well, that about wraps up my update for you all this week. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and stay warm out there!

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress