Woodgate Post Office to possibly close its doors
Story Created:
May 12, 2011 at 5:33 PM EDT
Story Updated:
May 12, 2011 at 5:33 PM EDT
WOODGATE, N.Y. (WKTV) - Woodgate residents assembled outside their community post office Thursday afternoon, and they weren't there to buy stamps.
Instead, they gathered united in a fight to keep a staple of their community open - the post office.
For nearly 100 years, the Woodgate Post Office has welcomed residents to pick up and drop off their mail, but during tough economic times, representatives for the postal service are looking to cut costs and close doors wherever they can in an effort to save cash.
"In the last three months we've lost around $2.2 Million," said Brian Shepard, a U.S. Postal Service representative who came out to talk to people about the study they are conducting on the facility.
Shepard is also hoping residents will fill out a survey in the next 60 days as the study continues. A closure could follow, depending on the findings of the study.
Those who use the post office on a daily basis say closing the community cornerstone would be detrimental, both socially and financially.
Linda Hart served as the Woodgate Postmaster for many years, and recently retired. Since she retired, they haven't filled her job full-time - a red flag that the American flag may not be waving outside the post office much longer.
"It is just a big loss for people," Hart said. "I retired, but I still feel bad because these people, I know this is their heart and soul. It is a community gathering and part of their identity. Profitable..I don't know? But it seems like there's more than that to it."
70 post offices are being studied for closure in the area and Woodgate residents hope at the end of the day, theirs isn't one that will be closed.
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