Post Offices on Shaky Ground

Let's hope the shaky state of the post office is just temporary!

 Both of the Snake Valley post offices, in Baker, NV and in Garrison, UT are on the list for post offices to be studied for closure.

Residents are not happy about this, as both these post offices serve as central parts of their communities. Many folks who can't travel to Ely or Milford to do banking get mail orders at the post offices. Great Basin National Park sends money orders frequently. Large packages that wouldn't fit in a parcel box are picked up. Certified mail requiring signatures is picked up from the post offices.

A meeting about the post office will be held next Monday, September 26, at 6 pm in Baker. Residents are urged to attend.

Here's some more info:
The following is a letter the Postal Service sent us a few weeks ago.
It states that you have until September 14 to get the questionnaire in,
but you can also bring it with you to the Community meeting set for
September 26th, next Monday.  The meeting will start at 6pm and is
scheduled for only an hour.

It is also suggested that you contact our Congressional delegation:

District    Name            Phone
1    Berkley, Shelley
        202-225-5965
2    Amodei, Mark
        202-225-6155
3    Heck, Joe
        202-225-3252

HELLER, DEAN
361A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6244
Web Form: heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-form


Reid, Harry - (D - NV)

522 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3542
Web Form: reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

08/25/2011
Postal Customer
Baker, NV 89311

This letter provides notice that the U.S. Postal Service is conducting
a discontinuance feasibility study of facility operations at the Baker
Post Office into the Ely Post Office.

The office is being studied due to declining office workload, which
may indicate that maintaining this facility is not warranted.

A discontinuance feasibility study involves a review of delivery and
retail operations of a postal facility. The purpose of the study is to
evaluate the facility's operations in a continuing effort to meet customers' retail
needs, improve productivity, increase efficiency, and cut costs.
Customer needs have changed dramatically. Many customers receive and pay their bills
online and communicate by email and text  message. In addition, many
customers demand easier, more convenient access to Postal Service products and
services when and where they want them - online, on their smart phones and at
the stores they frequent.

If a decision is ultimately made to discontinue the Baker Post Office
and you are a Post Office Box customer, you will have the option of  Post Office Box
delivery at the Elv Post Office To request delivery, submit a request for
establishment of rural delivery service, PS Form 4027, Petition for Change in Rural
Delivery, is available at the Baker Post Office. The Ely Post Office has retail
hours from 830 to 1700  Monday through Friday and 1000 to 1400 on Saturday, which is
76,0 miles away. Retail services would continue to be available through a
variety of channels beyond traditional brick-and-mortar facilities,
such as thewww.usps.com website, non-city delivery carriers. stamp consignment
locations. and Stamps by Mail, Fax, and Phone.

We value your opinions during this review process. As the Postal
Manager responsible for all Post Offices in your area, I would like your
input concerning your postal needs. We encourage you to complete and return the
enclosed survey in the pre-addressed postage-paid envelope provided. Your responses
along with others received. will be included in the study and considered
carefully before any final determination regarding discontinuance is made.
Please submit your response no later than 09/14/2011.
A community meeting will he held to explain the study findings and to
address community concerns. Postal representatives will be at the  Baker Hall
on 09/26/2011 from 6 PM to 7 PM to answer questions and provide
information about our service. You may wish. to discuss and submit your
questionnaire at that meeting.

Written comments may be hand-delivered to the Baker Post Office or
mailed to:

District Discontinuance Coordinator
NEVADA-SIERRA PFC
1001 Sunset Rd
Las Vegas NV, 89199-9998

The study consists of a publicly available record, so please be
advised that any information or responses that you furnish will be
visible to others.
A proposal that further explains the nature and justification of the
proposed change in service and requests for customer comment may be
posted prior to the community meeting. Comments received from the
questionnaire, community meeting, and proposal will be considered
prior to making a final determination,
If you have any questions concerning this discontinuance feasibility
study, please contact Loretta Kirkpatrick, District Discontinuance
Coordinator Contact at (702) 361-9204.
Sincerely,


Robert Reynosa

Manager, Post Office Operations

What the proposal fails to mention is that if mail is delivered to homes and businesses instead of to the post office, it will take the contractor longer, and a new contract will have to be written. This will not result in the approximate $60,000 per year savings the post office expected. Instead, the contract will be for more.

In addition, the role of the post office in a small community is huge, as it is the natural gathering place.

Some additional ideas for how to save our post offices are found here on this blog.