Feeling defunct in the far reaches of Rensselaer County
A North Hoosick resident on the potential closure of the hamlet's post office, the nation's second smallest: "There's no city hall or anything, only this and the drive-in, and both are pretty much extinct. That's what bothers me. It's just one more thing that makes you feel defunct." Also noted: North Hoosick is "nothing like" Hoosick Falls (apparently a lot changes in two miles). [NYT]
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I feel for these little towns loosing their post offices, I really do. The town my parents live in lost it's post office in the early 70's. It was a real shame. The loss of identity was palpable.
But if it isn't economical, it needs to go. How much money can the country spend on supporting a few people in a rural location that can be served just as well from a few miles away. It's not like people are using the place in droves (it would be bigger and/or economical) or walking there. This is the kind of thinking that kills us. "Save money, but don't touch _MY_ sacred cow." This country needs to save some money, let's start.
... said komradebob on Aug 18, 2011 at 5:30 PM | link
I know a guy who's filled in there. His drawer was $12 of postage for the day.
... said Jeff S on Aug 18, 2011 at 10:08 PM | link
I understand the sentiments of komradebob, but if the recent commercials sponsored by the postal union are true, the U.S. Post Office is not supported by tax dollars. The union asserts the Post Office runs on postal revenues alone. If the Post Office wants to keep open a post office, it is on their balance sheet, not ours.
All in all, I think they make good decisions and provide good service for fair prices.
To address komradebob's concerns, though, I think the feds should raise both my taxes and his. That will help address the deficit more effectively than closing a post office.
... said Randal Putnam on Aug 19, 2011 at 8:03 AM | link
and yet there is only one post office to cover Halfmoon and Clifton Park which is so busy you take your life in your hands if you need to go there on a saturday morning because inevitably traffic pulling in gets blocked off onto route 9.
this is what happens when there is absolutely no incentive for efficiency. Why open another postoffice in a town that needs it when places like North Hoosick need one.
... said fat freddy on Aug 19, 2011 at 8:44 AM | link
Yes, the USPS is self-funded, even Wikipedia knows that.
... said B on Aug 19, 2011 at 9:59 AM | link
"and yet there is only one post office to cover Halfmoon and Clifton Park...." Actually, there are two post offices.
"This is the kind of thinking that kills us." No, it's not. The kind of thinking that kills us is reducing life to a simplistic economic equation.
... said Bob on Aug 19, 2011 at 10:01 AM | link
@B, @Randal,
Thanks for the clarification on the USPS. You are, of course, correct. I was more speaking metaphorically. I guess my point is that no one wants their program of choice touched, be it a spending program or a taxation program.
@Bob is also correct, it is not a simple problem, but one that requires actions. I'm tired of the debate. Just do something already.
One can always argue the merits of any solution. As I said, I'm sorry that these folks might loose some of their local identity.
... said komradebob on Aug 19, 2011 at 11:21 AM | link
I think we need to stop pussyfooting around re what the USPS looks like going forward. If we don't radically change it now, it'll crash and burn. For realz. You know it will. You've known it for years.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/05/business/in-internet-age-postal-service-struggles-to-stay-solvent-and-relevant.html?hp&pagewanted=all
LQ
... said Lou Quillio on Sep 5, 2011 at 12:05 AM | link