Cumberland Kiwanis
Minutes of March 22, 2010
Joan Wooldridge
Speaker: Joan Wooldridge, Cumberland Postmaster
Topic: Present State of the U. S. Post Office,
Locally and Nationally
Ms. Woodridge opened with
reference to a recent local mail count.
The effect of the mail count is to determine the status of RFD mail
carriers. Based on the count, carriers
are given one of three classification levels. Cumberland has six routes currently. With an anticipated retirement, the
number will be reduced to five.
She then asked for responses
regarding the possible reduction of delivery days to five. Most Kiwanians saw no major problem
with no Saturday delivery.
Individuals who need Saturday mail could still rent a box at the Post
Office. As it appears, the U. S.
Post Office will need to cut back on staff or services, since a shortfall of
$238 billion is expected by 2020.
Cutting out Saturday will save $3.3 billion now, up to $5.1 billion in
2020.
She then followed up with
some statistics. Each day
employees log 4.1 million miles, delivering 584 million mail pieces to 150
million locations. Business is
shifting more and more to the Internet with $608 million from Web purchases,
although 7 million individuals still do business in the lobby. APC terminals generate $220
million/year. Over 52,000 stores
sell stamps. Overall mail count is
declining, although delivery points have increased.
A number of questions
followed, including prospects for a drive-up box on third street. Gene Uhlenhopp suggested a solution by
making third street one way.