Few worries over bioterrorism in small town of Altenburg

ALTENBURG, Mo. -- Postmaster Steve Meier doesn't expect death in the mail in this small Perry County town, where neighbors know neighbors and a name is often the only information needed for mail delivery.

Meier personally sorts through 3,000 to 4,000 pieces of mail a day in the post office, which shares a building with the town's library.

He doesn't linger over each piece of mail -- he doesn't have time. Besides, Meier said Monday he doesn't expect bioterrorism to land in his mail slot or that of his customers.

"It's hometown USA," he said. "Everyone knows everyone else."

Meier's post office serves 360 households in the Altenburg area, including those on rural routes. The town has slightly more than 300 people.

The anthrax scare is the subject of small-town talk, and many of Meier's customers joke about it. "We really haven't seen the paranoia in our area," he said.

City clerk Carol Wunderlich is a regular customer at the post office. Wunderlich, who works at a convenience store, opens much of the mail addressed to city hall.

The anthrax scare hasn't stopped her from performing that duty. "It is still always in the back of my mind," she said.

But Wunderlich said the mail she's opened since the anthrax scare has been routine, nothing suspicious. "Ninety-nine percent of the time I know what it is before I open it," she said.

Wunderlich said she doubts terrorists would target anyone in Altenburg. "I don't even think they know Altenburg exists," she said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123