The U.S. Postal Service's plan to close the Springfield Mail Processing Center and move its operation to Kansas City poses a serious threat to prompt, reliable and convenient service for the citizens of our community. The idea of providing reliable mail service to every American community is enshrined in Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution, and for more than two centuries the standard has held true. The nation's postal system has provided affordable and dependable service to every city and town--large or small, rich or poor, urban or rural.
But if USPS executives get their way, the concept of equal mail service could be coming to an end for our community. The Postmaster General wants to send all of our mail in Southwest Missouri--from Rolla to Joplin to West Plains--174 miles away to Kansas City to be processed and then returned for delivery some 2-4 days after it was mailed. The Springfield Mail Processing Center currently is able to process this same mail overnight and deliver it the next day.
What does this mean for the citizens of our community? Mail will be collected earlier in the day and will be delivered later, maybe, even after dark. We could experience delays of several days in the time it takes to send and receive our mail. Checks and medications may not reach their destination when they are needed; credit ratings could suffer because of late bill payments and birthday cards and gifts will arrive late.
Southwest Missouri's postal workers have sounded the alarm about the Postmaster General's poorly conceived plan to close the Springfield Mail Processing Center. But, to stop the closing, we need more citizens and community leaders to make their voices heard.
You can help by submitting your comments and concerns to this address: District Manager of Consumer and Industry Contact, 300 W. Pershing Rd., Ste 207, Kansas City, MO 64108-9631
Writer's name has been withheld
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