Post office moves into gas station after lease talks fail

Fill up with gas. Buy some smokes, maybe a soda, even some ice cream if you want it.

At a Millersville convenience store, you can even pick up the mail -- not that anybody considers the temporary solution very convenient.

Millersville residents with post office boxes are currently collecting their mail at Millersville Gas and Grocery, the only gas station in town.

The post office wasn't able to agree on lease terms with Rusty Nelson, who owned the land where the post office had operated, so the trailer that housed the 40 post office boxes is being moved. Nelson could not be reached by phone Wednesday.

Until the post office can find another piece of property, the Millersville residents will have to make do as post office employee Paula Andrews works in a crowded space behind the store's counter from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Rumors were swirling Wednesday that the post office might be closed. The owner of the store, Roger Moyer, was one of the many who was trying to find answers, only to get the run-around from post office officials. Even Andrews was uncertain about the post office's future. Given the uncertain situation, Moyer encouraged local residents to call their congressman.

And that they did.

Several phone calls to U.S. Rep. JoAnn Emerson's office prompted staffers to investigate the situation.

"We have assurances from the regional director of the USPS that the post office is not due to close," said Lloyd Smith, Emerson's chief of staff. "It has a fairly good volume for a smaller facility like that."

Moyer said at least four property owners in the area have said they would be willing to lease space.

But until something is worked out, residents in Millersville will have to drive to Jackson or Sedgewickville to buy their stamps or send big packages.

"We do 99 percent of our personal business right here at this post office," said Milford Fluegge, a Millersville resident.

Fluegge said he was concerned about the post office closing.

"If I've got to go to Jackson or Sedgewickville, that'll be extra trips," he said. "When I go to Jackson, a lot of times it's in the evenings when the post office is closed. It would be a big inconvenience."

Andrews said she's been told the temporary solution will last for about 30 days. The Sedgewickville post office, which is smaller than Millersville's, is currently handling the Millersville mail.

Melvin Heise is one of a few residents who don't think it's appropriate to collect mail at the same place where hard liquor and cigarettes are sold.

"It's kind of disgusting," he said.

The trailer is being stored on the fire department's grounds until a more permanent place is found.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635