Frustration over Postal Service decision

“Why are we even having this meeting?” he asked. “... clearly the process is flawed if a decision has already been made prior to a public hearing meeting. Why are you wasting these people’s time?”

I would have given my eye teeth to have heard those same words during the Ranier annexation debacle. But I have moved on and so has Ranier.

Regarding the cut in hours at the great little Ranier Post Office, unfortunately it was inevitable that some changes would come, considering the government-run postal service’s dire financial straits. However, I do believe that with a little creative flexibility, some positive changes could be made as well.

After 28 years as a Ranier resident, I currently live in Wrenshall, Minn. We have a tiny post office here. We, too, were asked to fill out a survey. (As of this writing, we have not yet been notified of our fate.) Two things that have apparently worked extremely well here are, believe it or not, our lobby never closes. You can get your mail 24/7. Granted, there is a glass wall and door that can be locked to divide the window area from the P.O. boxes, but with some modifications to the Ranier post office, this might be manageable. (Also, I realize that having a liquor store/bar just feet away might prove challenging.)

Another wonderful convenience is that a number of large post office boxes are designated for packages. For example, there are times when I go to retrieve my mail and I notice a large yellow, package notification card, and a key to one of those designated boxes. I take the key, unlock the box, and retrieve my package. The key remains “stuck” in the lock. No need to worry about window hours. Mind you, this also works 24/7. (However, packages too large for the specially designated P.O. box would still have to be picked up at the window). I’m sure there are other ideas that could be implemented as well. I wish you the best Ranier.

Terry Lahmayer

Wrenshall, MN