Pocatello Locals Succeed In Saving Post Office
More good news from the postal service for Pocatello, after announcing Thursday that the mail processing center on Flandro Drive survived the first round of cuts, the United States Postal Service has revealed that the old town post office has also been saved, at least for now.
As soon as the Bannock Station Post Office was put on the potential closure list, locals sprang into action.
Signing petitions, going to public meetings, even flying to Washington D.C. to speak with the officials who run the U.S. Postal Service.
Old Town Pocatello Executive Director Stephanie Palagi said it came down to showing the USPS that closing the Pocatello facilities would simply not do anything to help solve the postal service’s financial problems.
“It doesn’t make sense to close a facility that is profitable. It does not make sense to close a facility that is ranked among the top performing in the district and across the region,? Palagi said.
Thursday night she received word that the effort had paid off. The post office in old town would not face closure.
That’s great news for local businesses like Molinelli’s Jewelers. Molinellli’s spends more than $10,000 a year in postage.
“Not having a post office close by would not only be an inconvenience but also a security risk if we have to go pick up diamonds,? Molinelli’s owner Lance Buttars said.
Buttars said without the security of the nearby post office, he’d take his business to a different mail service.
Beyond just his business, he said having a post office is vital to old town Pocatello’s survival.
“Having a post office is kind of the heart of the community and its very important to the health of old town to have that post office, beyond the effect of business and jobs,? Buttars said.
Palagi said the people who fought to save these local postal locations are celebrating now, but realize they may have to fight again.
“We believe the fight for now is over and we’ve been successful, but you don’t know what is going to happen down the road,? Palagi said.
