Small, local post offices are great to have around

pam Cottrel COMMENTARY

ENON — Last week when the Post Master General issued statements about the future of the U.S. Post Office, I thought about how lucky we are in Enon, New Carlisle, Donnelsville, Medway, and North Hampton to have our own post office stations.

We get rural delivery from Springfield and I am distressed when I get an “attempt to deliver” notice in the mailbox at the end of my lane. I have to drive downtown, find a parking spot, and then stand in a long line. A notice in my mailbox means at least an hour will be wasted.

When given the choice, I go to the Enon Post Office to buy stamps and mail items. It is nice to have the person behind the counter recognize me and smile. The line moves quickly there and it is not just because I chat with the other people in line. It is an efficient station.

Norma Russell, a teacher in Medway, who lives near Enon, agrees.

“I love the Enon Post Office for convenience of having a hometown post office. I hope it remains there always. I like the Medway Post Office because I can stop by after work if I need something,” said Russell, who sometimes walks to the Medway station to buy stamps. “I never go to the Springfield Post Office. I would be sad if that were my only choice.”

Doris Dressel prefers the Donnelsville station for its convenience and Maggie Bollar tells me she’d be lost without the New Carlisle Post Office. Diane Van Auker is happy that the North Hampton Post Office is friendly and has plenty of parking spaces.

Local post offices also encourage local businesses.

Kyle and Rachel Peterson, owners of BrickForge in Mad River Twp., mail hundreds of packages to American and International customers each week.

“The cheerful and personable employees at the Enon Post Office are more-than-accommodating and a pleasure to work with,” said Kyle Peterson, who appreciates how quickly shipping is accomplished from the Enon facility.

While e-mail and electronic bill payment may have reduced our postal use, Christmas cards, wedding announcements, special-occasion cards, and graduation announcements are still mailed.

I recommended mailing cards and announcements from our local stations. Frequenting our small-town post offices is the same as buying local and supporting our neighborhood businesses.

Keeping our little village post offices busy may help keep them open.