WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Lisa Murkowski yesterday sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, directing the United States Postal Service to do more to fill the 3 vacant positions at the Skagway Post Office – after hearing near-unanimous public concern during her recent trip to Skagway.

“During my visit to Skagway, Alaska last week I learned that the lack of staff at the post office has had an intolerable impact on nearly everyone in the town, including your Postal Service employees,” Murkowski writes.

“Skagway has no pharmacy, so all medications are shipped to the community through the mail,” Murkowski communicates. “I am told that due to the current situation at the post office, medications have not been delivered in a timely manner. This has endangered residents with diabetes and heart issues, as well as others who require medication. This is unacceptable.”

The Senator also shared that Skagway residents told her it can take up to twenty days for priority mail delivery, mail is stacked up in the back of the post office and that the community has gone without mail for as many as five days recently.

Senator Murkowski closes by asking the Postal Service address these issues within days. “A number of steps must be taken this week to address these serious matters. First, it is imperative that senior leadership from the United States Postal Service travel to Skagway, Alaska this week to discuss these and other concerns with local residents and community leaders.”

The letter to Postmaster General Donahoe can be read here.