COMMISSION ESTABLISHED. President George Bush yesterday created a commission to make recommendations on the future of the Postal Service. "The Commission is good news coming at the right time," said PMG Jack Potter. "We look forward to assisting in every way possible."

The nine-member bipartisan commission is expected to complete its work and report to the President by July 31, 2003. Potter said the commission will offer a "valuable new perspective to the challenging and complex issue of postal reform."

A similar commission, the Kappel Commission, resulted in the business model for today's Postal Service, embodied in the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 that created USPS in 1971. That commission established a model which has served the country well for the past 30 years with unprecedented improvements in service and efficiency. Stamp prices, when adjusted for inflation, did not increase in that period, even though mail volume doubled and the number of delivery addresses increased by more than 74%. Times have changed since 1970, and what was a progressive model for that time is not adequate to address today's market. Current challenges include competition and new technologies.

FUMIGATION APPROVED. USPS received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to proceed with the rehabilitation of the Joseph Curseen Jr. and Thomas Morris Jr. Processing and Distribution Center on Brentwood Road in Washington, DC. The authorization allows USPS to use chlorine dioxide to kill anthrax spores in the facility. Fumigation is scheduled to begin Saturday.

"This has been a long and careful process that involved the best scientific minds from the public and private sectors," said Azzezaly Jaffer, vice president, Public Affairs & Communications. He also cited the cooperation and assistance of partner agencies, saying, "We appreciate their help and guidance."

The decontamination process is based on the one used to rehabilitate the Hart Senate Office Building approximately a year ago, but involves an area roughly 170 times greater. USPS has established a toll-free information line for community questions at 1-800-527-0741.

NETPOST DISCOUNT. USPS customers still have time to take advantage of a discount on holiday greeting cards through the NetPost CardStore online at www.usps.com/netpost/cardstore/. Customers can get a 20% discount off the Personal Connect pricing when they enter the code "HOLIDAY20" at checkout, but they should hurry. The discount has been extended only through Dec. 16.