Editor, Gazette-Journal:

As a retired postmaster from Mathews, I am really concerned for the future of our community post offices. I enjoyed every day in my office and was blessed to have employees and customers to be literally a part of my extended family. But changes have come to your community.

Today, there are problems in the post office that need to be addressed. There have been major changes in the way people use the mail and the general economic conditions. We don’t get tax dollars and we operate fully on post office revenue. We can’t keep deficit spending.

You, as the customer, are the only ones who can voice your opinions and concern for the future. There are several post offices in the surrounding area where customers will be receiving surveys to answer in order to save their post offices. The surveys have to be completed and returned within 30 days.

Choices will include:

1. Reducing the number of hours of service at their post office;

2. Giving up post office boxes in exchange for rural delivery;

3. Having a local business offer minimal postal service; or,

4. Closing the post office.

The surveys will be collected and compiled. If 60 percent of the people want to accept reduced window hours, that will be the decision. This is the best choice in order for your community post office to stay open for you, the customer.

Please keep involved and be the voice that the post office needs. Community meetings will be announced for you, the customer, to be heard.

Be there and be heard!

Dana F. Brown

Retired postmaster

Mathews, Va.