Mail feedback

An issue that has garnered a good deal of attention -- and strong opinions -- recently is the potential closing of 252 mail processing centers and 3,700 post offices nationwide, which would be done in conjunction with lowering the standards for mail delivery. No longer would next-day delivery of first class mail be expected.

Cape Girardeau's mail processing center is one that could potentially be closed under the proposal. Instead, mail would be hauled to mega processing plants before being distributed. In Southeast Missouri's case, that center would be in St. Louis.

On Dec. 29 more than 150 people attended a meeting at the Osage Center in Cape Girardeau to hear from Postal Service representatives and to voice their opinions on the proposed cuts and lowered mail standards.

If you were not able to make the meeting and want to give your opinion, written comments may be submitted until Jan. 13 to Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact, Mid-America District, 300 W. Pershing Road, Suite 207, Kansas City, MO 64108-9631.

Comments will be reviewed in Denver and then sent to USPS headquarters in Washington, D.C. A final decision on the closings is expected by May 15, a delay that will allow Congress an opportunity to look for cost-saving reforms elsewhere.

The Postal Service is indeed facing significant challenges, and we understand the urgency for taking action. However, we are also concerned that closing regional mail processing centers, like the one in Cape Girardeau, will actually put the U.S. Postal Service on a service death spiral that will make it even harder for it to recover in the future.

If you have not made your voice heard, now is the time.