Closing soon near you: a post office

[n2doc]

BY RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Updated 09:06 a.m., Tuesday, July 26, 2011

WASHINGTON -- The Postal Service is considering closing more than one in 10 of its retail outlets. The financially troubled agency was announcing Tuesday that it will study more than 3,600 local offices, branches and stations for possible closing.

Currently the post office operates more than 31,000 retail outlets across the country, down from 38,000 a decade ago, but in recent years business has declined sharply as first-class mail moved to the Internet. In addition, the recession resulted in a decline in advertising mail, and the agency lost $8 billion last year.

Most of the offices that face review are in rural areas, but postal officials say they are looking into alternative service, such as locating offices in local businesses, town halls or community centers.


Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/mount-rainier/article/Closing-soon-near-you-a-post-office-1596702.php

[demosincebirth]

1. It's sad to see them closing. They are hard, hard working people.

[MuseRider]

2. My post office is on the list.

I wonder how far away we will have to drive now to get to one. It won't be that far but this sucks.

[csziggy]

3. Closing POs in small towns where it is harder to get to alternatives

Is a mistake IMO.

I do like this: "Most of the offices that face review are in rural areas, but postal officials say they are looking into alternative service, such as locating offices in local businesses, town halls or community centers."

It used to be that POs were often in country stores so the people could combine all their important business in one trip. Let's go back to that idea - it worked back in the old days, it could work now.

[n2doc]

5. But where are the local biz now?

I'm betting they go to Wall mart's.

[csziggy]

9. True so many of the small groceries are gone

What you want to bet Wal-Marts will make a contract to have mini-POs in their stores?

[MuseRider]

6. In my community

the PO IS the local biz. :-) We are talking 1/4 mile of main street lined with little houses with a RR track through the middle. I live outside of it, it encompasses a much larger area.

[DainBramaged]

4. Many many years ago they were in General Stores and other businesses

Got to save the USPS, best service of all of the carriers. And nicest people too.

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. sad.

[upi402]

8. Repukes would love to hand that over to private business

Privatizinf worked just great for cable and phone...

I guess I should stipultate; Republicans - either party.