Cleveland Area Post Offices Closing Hardly a Shock, Shame

COMMENTARY | As a resident in a Cleveland suburb, the news of post offices closing does not surprise me. Branches in Brook Park, Maple Heights and East Cleveland are already shut down, and now 14 retail outlets and neighborhood post offices in northeast Ohio are on the list to be closed in the near future.

While the post office I use is not on the list (and I admit to being relieved), the truth is, cuts had to be made. The U.S. Postal Service is losing money.

"The postal service has struggled for many years, and the popularity of the Internet has accelerated its decline. In 2010, the agency processed 200 million pieces of mail less than in 2005, resulting in a $2 billion revenue loss," Victor Dubina, spokesperson for the service in Cleveland, said, according to WOIO. "The organization is going through tough times and realize tough decisions have to be made to keep it viable, and the cost of services affordable."

My local post office is in the college town of Berea. This quaint city post office is staffed by friendly folks. I enjoy the old building and its murals. But, with that said, trekking to the post office is not a weekly habit. Like many Americans, I pay the majority of my bills online and buy stamps at the grocery store instead of making a special trip to the post office: precisely why the Postal Service is considering closing another 10 percent of its branches nationally.

Mail carriers will still deliver the mail as usual, but post office box holders will have to travel to wherever their branch is moved. Although they will keep the same box number, the drive could be problematic. With the financial state of the USPS as it is, changes of some sort seem imminent. I am happy they did not choose to raise prices again, but, in a way, the residents of these communities who do rely on the post office will have increased costs when you factor in the inconvenience and gas prices. The postal workers themselves are at risk. While many may be transferred, I am sure just as many will be cut across the country.

So far, the upcoming possible closings include the following locations: University Circle, Pearlbrook, Glenville Bratenahl, Public Square, Tower City, Erieview, Collinwood, Cranwood, Puritas and Newburg. These offices are on the list, but nothing is finalized. In fact, the people in the vicinity have the chance to appeal. If your post office is on the list, you have 60 days to file a comment to the Independent Postal Regulatory Commission.