Altamont residents, more than 50 strong, confronted Joanne Dean, the Mid-America Discontinuance Coordinator for the United States Postal Service (USPA) last night during a meeting called as part of a study which could lead to the closing of the post office at Altamont.
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Ms. Dean described USPS study process, employee regulations, political realities and legal limits in rapid-fire progression during the first 45 minutes of the 2-hour meeting.
She said each study undertaken by the USPS is unique, unpredictable in duration but usually reaching some conclusion in about a year. The study on Altamont’s post office began April 9.
"Legal code (Title 39) requires that the study evaluates how to provide efficient, effective and regular service and not necessarily whether to retain the operation of a retail building," Ms. Dean said. "We are required to follow a process that includes several public notifications and provides for appeals (and specified waiting periods). A study (in itself) is not in any way a closure."
By law, a post office cannot be closed because it is not profitable. Nationwide, the USPS is studying more than 2,000 of its facilities in sundry urban and rural settings, including large distribution centers impacted by automation and reorganization. It is widely acknowledged that USPS retirement fund realities, employee benefit packages and market share loss to growing Internet use are catalysts for change. Five-day delivery is a change being considered nationally.
Ms. Dean noted that the Altamont post office study included a 2-week effort to specifically track transactions handled at the Altamont facility. She reported that on average 8.4 retail and non-retail transactions occurred per day, requiring USPS employee assistance for an average of 9.4 minutes per day.
Ms. Dean encouraged all in attendance to put comments in writing; every written response will be included in the study. Ultimately, a final determination is rendered at Washington, D.C.
Should the Altamont facility someday be closed, postal service to Altamont will continue but the specific manner is yet to be known. Those wanting P.O. boxes could drive 3.2 miles for that service at neighboring Winston; others now renting P.O. boxes could opt for street delivery. Altamont might be served by a "Village Post Office" with P.O. boxes and such services as stamp sales located within an existing qualifying business.
When questions were welcomed from those in attendance, Daviess County Sheriff Ben Becerra was first to speak. He wanted to clarify his response to a earlier survey question about mail theft or fraud. He emphasized that although the survey question asked about "recent" incidents which have not occurred, there have been mail thefts reported at Altamont – a fact substantiated by several who depend on mail delivery for prescription drugs. Sheriff Becerra then voiced his opposition to closing the Altamont facility.
State Rep. Casey Guernsey listened as more than 15 questions were raised by Altamont patrons as well as three prepared written statements read by those who oppose closing down the Altamont post office. Guernsey was tart in criticizing USPS decisions and practices that lead to waste and inefficiencies. He noted that several post offices in the seven counties he represents are also being considered for a similar USPS study now underway at Altamont.
He said losing rural USPS facilities is not fair, that "the people in charge are always from big cities (who) give us solutions to rural problems – but we’re the ones who have to live with those decisions. It’s completely different in rural areas compared to city areas." Those in attendance applauded.
Josh Hurlbert, a field representative for Congressman Sam Graves, introduced himself near the close of the meeting. He said the Congressman was in favor of retaining 6-day USPS delivery service and against closing down post offices.
Details of the USPS study of the Altamont post office will be posted for public review at the post offices in both Altamont and Winston as the study progresses.
Ms. Dean stated that although she is not "the decision maker," she will author a proposal for action based on the findings of the USPS study. This proposal, usually four to six pages, will detail all information impacting her recommendation and describing how the data was collected. Public comment can be attached to the proposal and becomes a permanent part of the total findings which are ultimately submitted to USPS authorities in Washington, D.C.