Federal Daily - July 2, 2008
USPS Announces Major Core Restructuring
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on July 1 announced it was restructuring its core operations, realigning
all major shipping and mailing products under one division. To head the newly created Shipping and
Mailing Services Division—which will encompass product management, product development and commercial
sales—USPS went outside the agency and hired Robert F. Bernstock, former head of Scotts Miracle-Gro.
The realignment also consolidates all Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) activities under the USPS chief
operating officer. IMB—which will affect many key USPS functions such as payment, verification,
processing, diagnostics, routing transportation and delivery—is expected to come online next
year, Postmaster General John E. Potter said. “These changes recognize the dynamic economics
of our business, [and] will increase our effectiveness and enhance the value and attractiveness of
our shipping and mailing,” Potter noted in a statement. “These changes are vital to our
future growth and prosperity.” To see more, go to: www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2008/pr08_072.htm.
:: Back to Top ::
Congress Questions DoD Refusal to Clean Up Facilities
Lawmakers are questioning why DoD is refusing to comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
orders to sign contracts to clean up hazardous waste sites on several DoD properties—sites the
legislators said pose an “imminent and substantial” risk to public health. Reps. John D.
Dingell, D-Mich., chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce; Gene Green, D-Texas; and Hilda
L. Solis, D-Calif., addressed the issue in a June 30 letter to DoD. Last year, Dingell said, EPA issued
four orders directing DoD to clean up toxic areas at Fort Meade, Md., McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.,
Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.—and Air Force Plant 44 in Tucson, Ariz., the only one to comply. “I
find it troubling, not only that the Department of Defense is in flagrant violation of final orders
issued by the EPA,” Dingell said, “but that DoD is now attempting to circumvent the law
and Congress’ intent by calling on the Department of Justice and the Office of Management and
the Budget to intervene.” To see more, go to: http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110nr307.shtml.
:: Back to Top ::
New Veteran Physical Disability Board Debuts
DoD on June 30 announced the creation of a Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) to review disability
ratings of wounded servicemembers separated from the military because of their disabilities. The Air
Force has been designated as the lead DoD agency to oversee operation and management of the PDBR. The
new board will reassess the accuracy and fairness of the combined disability ratings assigned to servicemembers
who were discharged as unfit for continued military service. Servicemembers must meet certain conditions
to have their case reviewed. For example, The servicemember must have been separated between Sept.
11, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2009, due to unfitness for continued military service resulting from a physical
disability. Additionally, the member must have received a combined disability rating of 20 percent
or less, and have been found not eligible for retirement. Because the PDBR recommendation is final,
servicemembers who choose this alternative will lose the option of subsequent review through their
respective branch’s Board for the Correction of Military Records. To see more, go to: www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?
releaseid=12029.
:: Back to Top ::
|
