Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The U.S. Postal Service contends that use of its Youngstown South Side branch has declined to such an extent that keeping it open is a waste of money.
But the president of the area postal workers union says that closing the West Hylda Street facility would violate the public’s right to “universal service.”
Let the debate rage — before a final decision is made.
Residents of the South Side, whose lives have already been disrupted with the closing of the full-service grocery store at Market Street and Midlothian Boulevard, have a right to be heard, and also to hear — from the federal government.
A study is being conducted by the postal service on the feasibility of closing the West Hylda branch and transferring the service to its main office in downtown Youngstown.
In addition, a public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the main post office.
Quality of life
Given that this a quality of life issue for Youngstown residents, Mayor Jay Williams and his staff must get involved. Williams has the responsibility to demand answers to the many questions that have arisen since word of what is being considered became public.
Here are several that would shed some light:
1. How does the customer census compare with other such neighborhood branches?
2. What is the cost of operating the South Side facility, compared with other similar branches, and with the newer suburban facilities that cost more money to build because they were designed to blend in architecturally?
3. Since the South Side branch offers post office boxes and window service, how does the postal service intend to cater to those customers who, because of the streets they live on, need boxes, but can’t easily get to the central post office on Walnut Street?
4. Does Congress’ mandate that the postal service operate in a businesslike fashion — such is the claim of spokesman David Van Allen — take into consideration the disruption that would be caused to residents’ lives? These residents aren’t in an income bracket that gives them the flexibility to use other post offices in the area.
5. The postal service spokesman says that the South Side branch has seen a decline in usage over the past several years. Have other branches also experienced a decline? Indeed, given the overall loss of population in the region, is it not to be expected that the customer base would shrink?
6. Are there other options available if the branch is deactivated when the lease runs out next year?
While we have argued in this space over the years that government must become more efficient and adopt business practices that would lower its costs, we are also aware that government exists to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the citizenry.
There are some services that cannot be evaulated purely on a bottom-line basis. Regular, convenient mail service should be available to all.