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Postal Workers Seek Answers in Public Meeting
01/14/10 - 10:11 PM
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It was a tense discussion as U.S Postal Service (USPS) representatives met with workers and residents of Bay County Thursday, as they sorted through a proposal to close the Panama City distribution center located inside the Sherman Ave. office.

But to get the story, News13 first had a discussion with representatives about the First Amendment.  Afterward, they agreed to allow News13 and other media cameras into the public meeting, where more than a hundred residents and workers were happy to have their say.

“When you make the statements that it will be delivered,” said Panama City resident Andre Colvin, “Sir, it will be delivered but it will be delivered 3 days later.”

The speed and efficiency of first class mail is the major concern.  Panama City’s sorting and distribution will be moved to Pensacola, as part of a nation-wide consolidation that impacts 65 facilities.

“We want this institution to continue to be self-sustaining,” said USPS spokesperson Joseph Breckenridge.  He says the move will save half a million dollars a year, at a time when revenue is down 18 percent.  He also says only 9 jobs will be affected, and those will be relocated to alternate assignments.

But, others say the savings will lead to a net decrease from dissatisfied customers.

“Instead of increasing service provided to the customer you’re decreasing it and you’ll lose more mail volume,” said one resident at the meeting.

“My concern is if the level of service goes down for bulk business mail,” said former postal worker Marie Robinson, “the churches are going to hand out bulletins at church. They will just simply stop mailing.”

While letters within the postal code will remain one-day delivery, those currently next day to Dothan or Tallahassee could turn into two. 

“Leave this facility here, move the Pensacola processing to Mobile and leave ours alone,” suggested some of the residents.

Bay County Commissioner Bill Dozier put his constituents’ thoughts into one plea.

“Please re-think this and keep the service here in Bay County where it’s already been proven that the quality of service is high and the workers are good,” he said.

Postal service officials have not yet made a final decision on the consolidation.  They will continue to accept comments and suggestions until January 29th at the following address:

Manager Consumer Affairs
North Florida District
PO Box 40005
Jacksonville, FL 32