Tampa post office is suspended
Contributing writer
Speaking to an audience of about 100 interested citizens at the Tampa Senior Center April 30, Herb Swan, a postal service representative who deals with suspensions and closings stated emphatically, "This is a suspension. We're not talking about a closing."
After trying unsuccessfully for nearly two years to persuade the owner of the post office building to make needed repairs, the decision was made to suspend the post office until a suitable alternate site can be obtained. Ever since large portions of the roof blew off in a windstorm last year, the leaking roof has caused damage to the interior of the building. "We are suspending because of the black mold," said Swan. "It is not healthful for employees or for children coming into the post office to get mail."
For the present, collection box units will be erected just north of the former grocery store building owned by Gary Schneider of Herington. Mail will be delivered to the boxes by the rural mail carrier working out of the Ramona post office.
Ben Sleichter, acting manager of postal operations, explained that under this system, patrons' addresses will not change.
Joan Jones, present postmaster, added that the rural mail carrier, Steve Jirak, expects to deliver to the units about 9:30 or 10 a.m. Residents should be able to pick up their mail any time after 10 o'clock.
Jesse Brunner asked whether mail which must be postmarked by a certain date can be mailed on that date or would be postmarked on the following day.
"There is a collection box with the mailbox units," Sleichter explained, "but mail deposited there will not be picked up until the following day. If you want to mail something any time after you pick up your mail in the morning, put it in the big blue box. It will be picked up in the afternoon and postmarked in Salina the same day."
In regard to a permanent post office location, Swan said, "We're aware that a post office is an important part of the community, so we're willing to work with you on a new building." However, he made it clear that the postal service is unwilling to build a new building and probably will not agree to pay a much higher rental than the $3,400 per year it paid for the lease of the old building.
Residents of the community had held a preliminary meeting April 28 when they expressed considerable interest in cooperating to supply a building if they could learn what the postal service would require. Three different sites have been suggested as possibilities so far, but such suggestions are all very tentative at this stage.
Theresa Cuellar, an engineer for the postal service, reported that she had given Jones specifications on what will be necessary to meet the building codes required by the government.
If an appropriate existing building is found, Swan estimated that the cost of "postalizing" such a structure would be approximately $40,000 to $50,000. Of course, a new building would be considerably more expensive. The postal service would provide all the equipment specific to a post office, such as boxes, sorting tables, etc., but it would be up to the building's owner to install them.
Lack of revenue is not a factor in the suspension of operations. The Tampa post office takes in around $45,000 per year, more than many small post offices in the area. Much of these receipts are generated by three major businesses, Agri-Business Inc., the Tampa State Bank, and Cardie Oil Company.
The loss of the post office would inconvenience all residents of the town and even rural patrons, and all those attending the meeting expressed deep concern over that possibility. Those three largest businesses would be particularly affected.
Chris Costello, speaking as an officer of Tampa State Bank, told this reporter, "We want to see a new post office come in here, and we're willing to do anything we can to get it back in town. We would be willing to invest in it or help in any way we can. I just hope the postal service is receptive to coming back into town. Losing anything in a small town hurts everyone."
Citizens who want to make their feelings known on the issue can call or write to Dan Taylor, manager of postal operations, at 785-827-6419 or 211 East Ash, Salina KS 67401. It might also be helpful to express your views to Congressman Jerry Moran and Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback.
