Taking seriously the “Our View” in the “Opinion” section of the Dispatch of Sept. 22, 2011, I wrote the PRC (Postal Regulatory Commission) to urge the saving of our downtown post office.
Also enclosed is the response from the PRC — a sort of a “your opinion doesn’t count” letter. On the other hand, it gives a better idea of how it has to be done in order for it to count.
To Whom It May Concern at the Postal Regulatory Commission:
I am writing on behalf of the people of Columbus, Mississippi, and our oldest and most cherished Post Office in Columbus on Main Street. I have lived here since 1969 and this post office has been my mainstay for 42 years. I am able to do my shopping in town and attend to my post office business at the same time. Otherwise, I must make a five-mile trip to East Columbus or five miles to north Columbus where I have very little business.
Unlike most cities whose downtown business area has dried up, ours has flourished with a beautiful business area with shops and restaurants, an art center and a convention center. Most second story buildings’ top floors have been converted to apartments, so there is much commerce and activity here days and into the nights. Many of our citizens enjoy the convenience and the good service and friendly attitude of our post office employees.
To top it off, the building itself is on the National Register of Historic Places. The post office on Main Street is a hub of downtown activity. It is a part of our history and our present.
I urge you to remove it from your list of closures.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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