USPS: Cutbacks likely coming in South Jamesport Oct. 1
Mr. Ford said after the meeting that he was “overwhelmed by the response.”
“They brought up some really good points today that I didn’t think about before,” he said. “Like, what are the numbers? How did they determine that we were at a loss? … I understand my bosses, too; they’re told to go out and do something and they’ve gotta do it.”
Last month’s survey gave South Jamesport residents four options for the future operation of their beloved 400-box post office.
The choices included keeping the post office open for limited hours (six hours a day instead of the current eight) and reducing the staff from two workers one; closing the post office altogether and instead starting delivery service; closing the post office and finding alternate locations (like a local business) for deliveries; or relocating the P.O. boxes to the main Jamesport branch.
USPS officials said that of 242 surveys, 124 were returned — and 90 percent of them chose the reduced hours over any other option.
Chris Kuehn, one of two postmen at the South Jamesport post office, said Monday that patrons do not seem happy about the impending changes.
“A lot of older people come here,” he said. “They don’t like change and didn’t like any of the four options … they want it to stay the same, exactly as it is. Other people are interested in the street delivery because it’s a little more convenient.
“I always said that there is more to a post office than just the mail,” Mr. Kuehn continued. “You should come in on Saturdays — everyone is here, picking up their mail, catching up. Post offices play an important role; it’s a shame to see some of them go.”
South Jamesport resident Bill Gilmore echoed the postal workers’ sentiments while picking up his daily mail at the post office Monday.
“I’ve been living here for 48 years and even as a little kid I remember coming in and talking to the postmen,” he said. “You form a bond with these men and the post office becomes a part of your life.”
With Joseph Pinciaro
