Maysville residents voice support for post office

About 50 attend informational meeting on possible closure of post office which continuously served community since 1840

Diane Tindale, second from left, discusses the Maysville P.O. closing with former Maysville Postmaster Marvin Wilber, while postmaster Kim Smith, left, and Martha Tucker look on.
Diane Tindale, second from left, discusses the Maysville P.O. closing with former Maysville Postmaster Marvin Wilber, while postmaster Kim Smith, left, and Martha Tucker look on.

— MAYSVILLE - The fate of the Maysville Post Office, one of the oldest in northwest Arkansas, was discussed at a meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the Maysville Community Building.

Maysville’s post office is one of 3,700 offices throughout the United States that are being evaluated for possible closure.

Diane Tindale, assistant manager of post office operations in Fayetteville, explained to a crowd of about 50 people the criteria being used to determine whether the post office will survive.

She also answered questions from Maysville area residents and provided questionnaires for them to complete. The public’s input will be used in the evaluation process, she explained.

Tindale prefaced her presentation with information about whythe postal service is taking such drastic measures nationwide. The service is expected to end the year with a $10 million deficit, she said.

The “bleeding” is the result of, not only the recession, but also because the public is turning to online and e-mail systems of communication.

She said the postal service governing body operates independently without funds from the government and has been addressing the problem with office closings and layoffs. Several proposals before Congress are awaiting action by that body which, if approved, may help alleviate the problems the service is facing.

Savings vs. Income

Turning attention to the status of the Maysville office, she said the Postal Regulatory Commission has determined that closingthe Maysville office will save an estimated $40,000 the first year and almost a half-million dollars over a ten-year period: $420,000.

She did not, however, have a cost breakdown of the actual annual operational costs for the office or the revenue it generates.

The Maysville office is operated by postal clerk Martha Tucker, who keeps the office open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed 1 to 1:30), and Saturday, 8:15 to 10:15 a.m.

Kim Smith, Maysville postmaster for 18 years, actually is not in the office but is serving as officer in charge of the post office at Decatur. Her salary is not charged to the Maysville office, Tindale said.

If the Maysville office is closed, and Tindale emphasized no decision has been made, the 72 box patrons of Maysville 72747 will have the option of being assigned boxes at Gravette andthey will retain their current Maysville address. If they do not choose that option, they will be serviced through rural routes from Gravette, as are current rural patrons.

Information, Questionnaires

Tindale provided information sheets which describe how rural patrons will be able to securepostage stamps, mail packages and utilize other mail services through their rural carriers.

The questionnaires she gave patrons to complete ask about their current usage of the Maysville facility and how its closing will impact them.

She emphasized very strongly the importance of completing the forms and returning them to the Little Rock address provided on the forms, or they may be returned to the local post office.

“These forms,” she said, “will help determine the future of the Maysville office, and it is very important they be completed and returned.”

Several of those attending completed the forms that evening.

Alluding to the long history of postal service in Maysville, Tindale noted, “The historical significance of the Maysville office will be taken into consideration in the decision-making process.” An office has served Maysville and the area continuously since 1840, with the Maysville designation assigned in 1850.

Suggestions Offered

Those attending the hour-long meeting had few questions but manycomments were made which expressed opposition to the closing. Several suggestions were also proposed which Tindale said would be included in her report of the meeting.

One suggestion involved a half-day operation for the office; another was that if the office is closed that a 24-hour drop-off box be provided for outgoing mail. These are possibilities, Tindale responded.

Concerning how patrons who reside in nearby Oklahoma and Missouri and currently use the office would be serviced, Tindale said she does not have such information. She said the address of the Maysville Fire Department will not be jeopardized.

Tindale emphasized she is not involved in the decision making process but that her report, and especially the survey forms, will be analyzed. She said each post office will be addressed individually and that periodic information reports will be posted in the Maysville office for patrons to keep abreast of a process that is expected to take several months.

“I hope 10 years from now the Maysville office will still be here,” she said, as she again emphasized the importance of returning the questionnaires.

The meeting proceeded in an orderly manner and several attendees expressed appreciation to Tindale for her “coming toMaysville” and providing information.

A recent newspaper account of a similar meeting held in nearby Powell, Mo., said it was attended by several dozen people including Missouri State Representative Bill Lant and a representative from the office of U.S. Senator Roy Blunt.

Powell is one of many Missouri offices being evaluated. About 100 offices in Arkansas are being considered for possible closure, Tindale indicated.

News, Pages 1 on 09/21/2011