Postal service only considering closing branch offices; none in Southeast Missouri

A plan to consolidate U.S. Postal Service operations by possibly closing 677 locations nationwide includes no post offices in Southeast Missouri.

In fact, the plan doesn't contemplate closing any location where there is a postmaster in charge. The plan, which is described by postal service spokesman Richard Watkins as a blueprint for studying how to save money, targets what are known as branch offices or postal stations and all are in the urban or suburban areas of large metropolitan regions.

Most rural areas are served by post offices with a postmaster, even if the postmaster is the only employee, such as in Gordonville. Phil Birk, officer in charge in Gordonville and postmaster for Old Appleton, said post offices in smaller towns provide community identity, a place for people to exchange gossip and a relaxing atmosphere.

And after spending most of his 19-year career with the postal service in a processing center, Birk said he sees the value of the small-town post office. "I love it," he said. "I just love dealing with the public, talking and visiting."

There's a more practical side to keeping rural offices open, Birk said. They help provide services to older residents who would find it difficult to drive 10 to 15 miles to another office and keep lines shorter at larger post offices.

"People already complain that the lines are too long," Birk said.

The offices on the postal service list, which was made public Monday as part of a filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission, aren't all necessarily going to close. The list of 677 branch offices or stations includes 34 in the metro St. Louis area and 14 in the Kansas City area.

"What we are doing is taking a look at locations where we might, and I underscore the word might, achieve some economies of scale," Watkins said.

The issue isn't just money, Watkins said, although the postal service expects to run a $7 billion deficit this year.

"Anyone can cut services and save money," Watkins said. "The key is to become more efficient."

To illustrate the financial challenges for the postal service, Watkins noted that it operates 32,000 locations nationwide -- three times more than McDonald's -- uses 220,000 vehicles -- the largest civilian fleet in the world -- and adds 1 million new addresses to its list of delivery locations nationwide each year.

No jobs will be lost as a result of consolidations, Watkins said.

The Postal Regulatory Commission is responsible for determining if the postal service plan makes sense, but the final decision will be up to the postal service. The commission is expected to issue an advisory opinion on the closings this fall, spokeswoman Ann Fisher said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

320 N. Frederick St., Cape Girardeau, MO

210 E. Main St., Jackson, MO

5850 Highway 25, Gordonville, MO