THE COLD HARD FACTS — Windom Postmaster Kim Melson-Gohr, right, reads a USPS prepared statement while Tom Schmel, Lake Crystal Postmaster, takes notes of Hope residents questions and concerns at a community meeting June 29 regarding the closing of the Hope Post Office. Below, concerned citizens listen. (Star Eagle photo by Carol Jolly)
By CAROL JOLLY
Staff Writer
Passion and controversy inspired the residents of Hope to gather in the Community Center on Wednesday, June 29 for an informational meeting regarding the proposed closing of their local post office.
The United States Postal Service is recommending the Hope, Minnesota location be added to a list of more than 25 other Minnesota post offices being considered to close, so they can meet their economical budget.
"The economic recession, with the growing popularity and convenience of Internet shopping, bill paying, electronic filing of taxes, and e-mail during the past five years, has significantly cut mail volume," said Kim Melson-Gohr, Windom Postmaster.
Community members attending the informational meeting voiced their objections of the local office’s potential closure.
"We may be a small community, but we are not a dead community," said an unnamed community member. "We have thriving businesses here."
The USPS is looking at ways to cut costs and compensate for an $8.5 billion operating loss in 2010. The Hope Post Office only has 1.6 hours of work per day. Hope has approximately 200 pieces of mail incoming daily, and 22 pieces going out. Another 37 percent comes from the outside collection box.Currently, the Hope Post Office is open six days a week. Postmaster Lori Thiele works six hours Monday through Friday and two hours on Saturday. The USPS 2010 overhead expenses for the Hope location totaled $29,000, with an additional $3,000 for lease space, with only $23,599 generated revenue.
"We no longer need, nor can we afford, our 32,000 Minnesota post offices,” Melson-Gohr said.
"Where does that leave Lori?" several residents inquired.
"She would be offered opportunity elsewhere. The decision would be hers to accept or decline," Mike Stevens, Mankato Postmaster said.
Thiele has served the Hope community for the past 13 years.
Other options were also presented to Hope residents.
The first option is having PO boxes available through the Ellendale or Owatonna locations. They can also choose to get a mailbox. They would then be added to the Ellendale rural carrier’s route.
“We tend to refer to our rural carriers as post offices on wheels. You can buy stamps, purchase postage for packages and letters, put mail on hold, purchase money orders,” Melson-Gohr said. “Virtually anything you could do at the local post office, you can also do with your rural carrier.”
If the Hope Post Office were closed, and a rural carrier replacement accommodating the postal services, costs would be $7,823, saving the postal service more than $24,000 per year.
In addition, USPS representatives encouraged community members to evaluate all alternatives, such as cluster boxes, or contractual business opportunity as a village post office.
"I don't want our post office to close," Nancy Bosshart said.
"I understand the pay proposition, but I would like the post office to stay here,” said Lee Bass. “We have a huge business district.”
"The fate of the Hope Post Office will take at least another four months,” Melson-Gohr said, with at least two more opportunities for residents to write the USPS with their proposals, comments or concerns.
"USPS cutbacks have eliminated positions, and consolidated work,” said Stevens. “Society has changed. So has the United States Postal Service. Nothing will be final for a long time."
Although, the mortality of the Hope Community Post Office seems inevitable, the residents pray the USPS decision will be saving Hope.