Summaries of Recent USPS News Releases

Postmaster Wins Benjamin Franklin Award
March 25

Roberta Brinkman, postmaster of the Staples, MN, Post Office, has been awarded the prestigious 4th Annual Benjamin Franklin Community Newspaper and Postal Service Partnership Award of Excellence. Postmaster General Jack Potter and National Newspaper Association President Kenneth Rhoades presented the award to Brinkman at the 41st Annual Government Affairs Conference in Washington, DC.

This honor is bestowed upon a USPS employee who best exemplifies the spirit of Benjamin Franklin, one of our country's founders and a newspaper publisher, statesman and postmaster. It was Franklin's commitment and dedication to service that helped set standards by which community newspapers and the Postal Service operate today.

Brinkman is a 30-year Postal Service veteran. She began her career as a clerk in Aldrich, MN, and has been postmaster of Staples since 1999. She has received numerous commendations for her work with, and training of, postmasters in central Minnesota.

"Brinkman has a great working relationship with employees and customers and knows periodicals verification inside out," said Jim Armitage, manager of Post Office Operations for the Postal Service's Minnesota District.

Statement of Robert F. Rider, Chairman of USPS Board of Governors
March 22

The Governors have received the recommended decision for the R 2001-1 Rate Case filed in September 2001 from the Postal Rate Commission. We thank the Chairman for his leadership and the Commission for its efforts and the expedited manner in which it handled this case. We also thank the parties in the case from the mailing community for agreeing to the unprecedented settlement agreement.

The Governors will consider the Commission's recommended decision at our April meeting.