South Carolina State Association of Letter Carriers

RICK ISOM, DISTRICT THREE CONGRESSIONAL District Liaison
Anderson SC 29621
Work: 864-226-1595
E-mail:  isom0455@charter.com

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The following is the contact information for Congressman J. Gresham Barrett

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August 31, 2009

    Reflections of the months past listening to our bleak media will have you believe we're doomed.  Can I ask before you read

on; to stop for a brief moment in your busy life and be Thankful and pray not only for the victims and families of 9-11 but also

for the men and women whom in their own way protect this great land we call America.  Let's pray especially for the real hero's

whom paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

    Did you know if you made $50,000 last year you are in 1% of the richest people in the world?  Yes, it is getting bad.

Our count for the month of May turned two routes into Auxiliary Routes.  One city carrier had 168 stops added to her while

management continues to abuse and harass our carriers.  As a result, customer service may possibly be the worst ever.

    I can't even get Congressman Barrett to do the logical thing of signing HR22 (#864-224-7401).  He is busy neglecting his

congressional appointment while running for Governor.  We as letter carriers are what the public see and hear.  We must be

diligent in our daily task of delivering the mail but take an extra second to express your gratitude to your worst customer.

Tell him or her how much of a bargain you really get for 44 cents.  A card, a letter,or a postcard from a loved-one or a friend.  We

get to deliver messages from the heart preservable for decades on a piece of paper.  Paper is not subject to power failure loss or

viruses on your computer.  Nothing replaces the thoughtful strokes of a pen or the orignality of the author.  How much is that worth

to you?

    In the year 1990, during Mail-Call while serving in the Armed Forces, I never noticed who didn't receive mail while I was opening

my letters and packages.  While serving duty in the Persian Gulf one Thanksgiving, I did notice an 18 year old sailor from Small

Town USA.  He probably has never been away from home before.  He received a packaged addressed to "Any Sailor in OI

Division".  That young man's eyes lit up as if he had won the lottery.  I'll never forget Jason Locklear's face for the rest of my life.

I am honored to be among the best blue collar red blooded Americans!

    Thank you all!  I love you all.

Rick ISOM, District 3 CDL

SCSALC

P.S. Alex is doing great.  Please continue to pray for her.  Her parents said, "God is Answering your Prayers".

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August 9, 2009

    Greetings to you all. Thank you for caring enough to check out my view of just a few things happening in District 3.

On June 30^th  or July 1^st  our North Branch Post Office was notified by management that it would be closing. Our awesome

customers & friends started a petition and by Friday the 3rd I dropped off 495 names to Congressman Gresham Barrett's

office to inform them of our concerns. By Monday the 6^th ,assistant Jeremy from Barretts office called me and said he had talked

with Nick Rinaldi and there would be a town hall meeting on the 20^th for a final decision.  Well the last count on the petition was

over 1,200 names.  As for the meeting on the 20^th it never happened.  People, we need now more than ever for our voice to be

heard.  I haven’t been around as long as some of you but the last few years it seems upper management is working a$$ backward

to run our Postal Service in the ground.  In our office alone this year they took out the vending machines that accepted cash.  Now

all we have is a kiosk that takes credit cards.  Window hours have been changed twice and if you need a Hold Order Mail card or

Change of Address card, their telling customers to go to USPS.com.  However, management's answer to why mail volume is

dropping is email. That’s bullshit customer service!  Things across the board is horrible.  Even to complain, customers are asked to

call 1-800-Ask- USPS.

    Come on, nobody is going to help us but us!  Please hear my cry!  Give great customer service and be consistent on your routes.

Take an extra second and thank your customers (they may be your last). 

    On another important note, our Union Brother Butch Carver has a daughter Alex(14) who has leukemia.  It has been a terrible

month for them.  In James 5.15 he says, "the prayer offered in faith will heal the sick man, the Lord will restore him to health."

Please pray for Butch and his family. 

Thank you with love,

Rick Isom, CDL

SCSALC

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June 2, 2009