The following information was released by Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown:

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) this week sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) to rethink the closure of the Mansfield Lincoln Finance Station in Madison Township. The postal facility is scheduled to close on February 12.

In the letter, Brown noted that the facility services a number of townships, including Mifflin, Weller, Madison, and parts of Mansfield, and has been a profitable unit for the USPS. He also asked the Postmaster General to “personally revisit” the decision to close the Madison Township facility.

“While I am well aware of the Postal Service’s difficult financial situation, I have asked that it do everything it can to avoid closing any postal facilities that would negatively affect the community, local businesses, and the level of service provided to my constituents,” Brown wrote. “Based on the information shared with me, I question whether closing the Lincoln Finance Station is truly a fiscally and operationally responsible decision.”

Brown sent the letter after Madison Township Trustees alerted him to the closure of the postal station. The full text of the letter is below.

January 5, 2011

Mr. Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General

United States Postal Service

475 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20260-0010

Dear Mr. Donahoe:

I am writing to express my concerns about the United States Postal Service’s planned closure of the Mansfield Lincoln Finance Station in Madison Township, effective February 12, 2011.

My staff and I have been in constant communication with Postal Officials for the past four years. While I am well aware of the Postal Service’s difficult financial situation, I have asked that it do everything it can to avoid closing any postal facilities that would negatively affect the community, local businesses, and the level of service provided to my constituents.

My constituents from both Madison Township and the Greater Mansfield area have contacted me about this closure. It is important to note that this facility services several townships, including Mifflin, Weller, Madison, and parts of Mansfield. Several parties have brought to my attention that the Lincoln Finance Station is a profitable unit and question why – if that is indeed the case – this facility would be targeted for closure.

The Madison Township Trustees recently notified my office of their attempts to secure the continuation of this facility. I know the Township Trustees engaged in a petition drive and have also appealed to Congressman Jordan’s office.

Based on the information shared with me, I question whether closing the Lincoln Finance Station is truly a fiscally and operationally responsible decision. I therefore ask that you personally revisit the planned closing to determine whether maintaining the facility is actually the more cost- and operationally-efficient option.

Thank you for your consideration.

Congressman Darrel Issa (R-CA), the new chairman of the House Oversight Committee announced yesterday that all of the committee’s future hearings will be made available on YouTube. Issa also said that hearings from 2009 and 2010 will also be available at the site.

The new YouTube channel already features a number of hearings on the US Postal Service, some going back as far as 1990. We’ve collected all the postal hearings from the channel at postalnews.tv, along with some hearings we’ve previously posted that aren’t on the YouTube channel. The shortcut link to our collection of past (and future) hearings is bit.ly/postalhearings.

HD Transparency.

CHICAGO, Jan. 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company (Nasdaq:RRD) announced today that it has acquired 8touches, an online provider of easy-to-use tools that allow real estate sales associates, brokers, Multiple Listing Service (MLS) associations and other marketers to create customized communications materials such as direct mail, flyers and brochures.

8touches’ branded online resources provide access to more than 1,000 customized templates into which profiles, MLS data and pictures for selected listings can auto-populate. The comprehensive toolset also offers sophisticated mapping features, the ability to obtain surrounding address information and access to demographics that enhance targeted direct mailings.

“This acquisition expands our portfolio of proprietary Internet-based solutions,” stated Thomas J. Quinlan III, RR Donnelley’s Chief Executive Officer. “8touches brings to RR Donnelley a proven solution that will benefit from our larger scale in software development and distribution. It will also accelerate our ability to create targeted applications for additional industries and vertical segments.”

8touches’ templates are available for residential, farm and ranch, commercial and new construction real estate marketing programs.

“Integrating 8touches’ front end Internet services with our exceptional digital printing and fulfillment platform will enable us to offer even more efficient and responsive service. For customers, our national and international platform reduces cycle times to enable marketers to gain first-mover advantages,” added Quinlan.

More information about 8touches products and services is available at 8touches.com.