Dear Editor,
I was saddened to read in the news that the United States Postal Service has put out yet another list of 3,000 additional post offices nationwide being studied for closure. Granted, we are in tough budgetary times, and obviously some belt-tightening may be necessary in a few areas. However, I feel it is a dreadful shame that America can send millions of dollars overseas to foreign countries such as Pakistan in foreign-aid, but we can’t manage to toss a comparatively few dollars to keep the lights on and mail-delivery continuing at our own post offices in rural America. 
I still mail the occasional hand-written paper letter and I mail a few such letters and cards to relatives and friends at Olmitz, which I was saddened to see is on a list of post-offices being studied for possible closure. I sincerely hope that particular post office isn’t closed. I have been there in-person and have patronized it. 
Granted, some small-town post offices may not generate the heavy foot traffic or revenues they once did, but post offices still can help keep tiny towns alive. At least one (or several more) people are given gainful employment. Furthermore, even a small post office provides an anchor for the community enabling other local individuals and businesses to function much easier than they otherwise would. Many older people or disabled people would be adversely hampered if the Olmitz post-office were to close.
With gasoline prices still fairly high, and apt to go higher, it would amount to both a costly burden and a time-consuming inconvenience if people were forced to go elsewhere for their packages or postal services. Gov. Brownback touts that he wants urbanites to consider moving back to rural Kansas. Eliminating handy and nearby post-offices would be a dis-incentive and discourage investment in the Heartland.
I say trim a bit of the excess from higher-paid postal bureaucrats in big metro areas such as Detroit and Philadelphia. Prohibit the postal service from running high-priced television ads during the Olympics. And require firms that mail junk-mail to pay five times the amount they currently do.
If we get our priorities straight, perhaps we can avoid any more closures of post offices. However, if the postmaster general doesn’t manage things better, traditional post offices everywhere could be extinct in 20 years or so. Then, the profit making firms might deliver to your door, but for a hefty price.
We must preserve rural post offices whenever and wherever it is economically feasible and prudent.
James A. Marples,
Esbon