In order to stem losses of 2.6 billion dollars in the 3rd quarter, the United States Postal Service has revised it's possible closure list. The Post Office in Barnard, Kansas is on that list. Out of over 3,000 post offices being evaluated for possible closure, just over 150 of them are in Kansas.
The Postal Service reports that due to the amount of postal business conducted over the internet and the alternatives to the USPS, there isn't the need for the physical offices. An alternative that the USPS is offering to areas affected by the possible closures are village post offices. The following is from the USPS.com website:
Post Office study list
Our customer’s habits have made it clear they no longer require a physical post office to conduct most of their postal business.
More and more of them are choosing to conduct their postal business online, on their smart phone and at their shopping destinations. And that means the need for us to maintain nearly 32,000 retail offices has diminished.
So we are taking the next step in right-sizing our retail network by studying approximately 3,700 retail offices to determine customer needs. As part of this study, we are introducing a retail-replacement option –– Village Post Offices –– as an option for affected communities.
Village Post Offices would be operated by local businesses, such as pharmacies, grocery stores and other appropriate retailers, and would offer popular postal products and services such as stamps and flat-rate packaging.
Please click here for the list of retail offices being studied.
The closure of the Barnard Post Office could have devastating effects on the community. Council member, Randy Pickering, said that not having a post office would have a negative affect on receiving grants and other funding. Many applications, he says, asks if there is a local post office. With the budget of Barnard as tight as it is, grants are significant in the completion of some projects.
In addition to funding issues, closing the Barnard Post Office will have an effect on where and how Barnard residents will obtain postal services. Beverly and Simpson Post Offices are also being studied for closure. If that happens, Lincoln will be the closest Post Office. Many residents in the Barnard service area are not connected to the internet and do not drive that distance that would be required to visit the closest office. Losing the post office would be a blow to the the morale of the community. As the only other business with operating business hours, Annette's Country Kitchen would probably not be suitable for a Village Post Office.
In 1966, Barnard lost its high school followed in 1977 by the closure of the grade school. The remnants of the school are used as farm storage. Cargill's lease on the Barnard grain elevator will end after this farm harvest, and much of Barnard's downtown district is empty or demolished. Losing the post office may very well be the final nail in the coffin for a town struggling to survive.
There is hope, however. Senator Snowe (R-Maine) has petitioned the USPS to study the impact of Post Office closures on rural communities and report the findings the the Congress. From the Senator's website:
Snowe Urges USPS to Examine Impact of Post Office Closures on Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) is urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) to examine the potentially harmful effect possible post office consolidations and closures could have on rural communities. In a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahue following the release of a report by the USPS identifying 34 possible post office closures in Maine, Senator Snowe has requested the Postal Service examine potentially harmful consequences for rural communities at risk of losing their post offices and report back on their findings.
Senator Snowe said:
“There is no question that tumultuous economic times have forced families and businesses alike to make tough choices when it comes to their finances. However, the current financial challenges faced by the USPS should not preclude the preservation of universal postal service and convenient community access, which together constitute the bedrock of towns large and small across the nation. It is critical we carefully assess the potential impact of these proposed closures, especially as it relates to service in rural communities.”
In her letter to the Postmaster General today, Senator Snowe asserted, “While I understand the imperative to reduce costs, it is absolutely critical that your actions not tear at the fabric of island communities and rural towns and villages by denying them the reliable, affordable and convenient postal service currently provided.” A copy of the Senator’s letter to the Postmaster General is attached.
BACKGROUND: In an attempt to cut costs after reporting a $2.6 billion third quarter loss, the USPS believes it can save $200 million by closing 3,700 of its 32,000 post offices nationwide. According to the USPS, over 3,000 of the offices identified reported less than $27,500 in annual revenue.
Senator Snowe said:
“There is no question that tumultuous economic times have forced families and businesses alike to make tough choices when it comes to their finances. However, the current financial challenges faced by the USPS should not preclude the preservation of universal postal service and convenient community access, which together constitute the bedrock of towns large and small across the nation. It is critical we carefully assess the potential impact of these proposed closures, especially as it relates to service in rural communities.”
In her letter to the Postmaster General today, Senator Snowe asserted, “While I understand the imperative to reduce costs, it is absolutely critical that your actions not tear at the fabric of island communities and rural towns and villages by denying them the reliable, affordable and convenient postal service currently provided.” A copy of the Senator’s letter to the Postmaster General is attached.
BACKGROUND: In an attempt to cut costs after reporting a $2.6 billion third quarter loss, the USPS believes it can save $200 million by closing 3,700 of its 32,000 post offices nationwide. According to the USPS, over 3,000 of the offices identified reported less than $27,500 in annual revenue.
The Barnard city council has already voted to send a letter to our government representatives. You can also send letters to tell Congress and the USPS that the Barnard Post Office is necessary and important to the community. You may choose to call or fax your representatives but PLEASE also send letters postmarked in Barnard so that they will see the office in action.
IMPORTANT ADDRESSES:
Representative Tim Huelskamp
Washington, DC Office
126 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2715
Fax: (202) 225-5124
Salina Office
119 W. Iron Ave., 4th Floor
Suite A, P.O. Box 766
Salina, KS 67402
Phone: 785-309-0572
Fax: 785-827-6957
Senators:
Jerry Moran
Washington, D.C.
Room 354
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6521
Fax: (202) 228-6966
Hays
1200 Main St. Suite 402
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-6401
Fax: (785) 628-3791
Pat Roberts
Washington DC
109 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1605
Phone: (202) 224-4774
Fax: (202) 224-3514
Overland Park
11900 College Boulevard
Suite 203
Overland Park, KS 66210Phone: (913) 451-9343
Fax: (913) 451-9446
United States Postmaster General:
The Honorable Patrick Donahoe
Postmaster General
U.S. Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20260-0010
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