NEW BERLIN -- The U.S. Postal Service came under fire Tuesday night as more than 70 residents crowded into the fire department social hall to protest a plan that will change how mail is delivered in the borough.
Currently, there is no mail delivery in New Berlin. Instead, every household receives mail at the post office. Residents are provided with free post office boxes.
Under the changes now being required by the postal service, many residents will have to put a mailbox in front of their houses to receive their mail or pay to keep their post office box.
This did not go over well with the audience, which was vocal and emotional as members confronted George Stumpf and Mark Imler, two Harrisburg-based postal executives, who were at the meeting to explain why the changes are being made.
New Berlin is classified as a noncity delivery office, which means that households falling within a quarter-mile radius of the post office are entitled to a free post office box, "because the rule says if we can't give you delivery, then we must give you a free mailbox," Stumpf said.
But if a household falls outside the quarter-mile circle, the homeowner qualifies for free rural home delivery and not a free post office box.
There are also some homes within the quarter-mile radius that don't qualify for free boxes because they fall along the delivery route taken by carriers.
Phyllis and Lloyd Swanger fall into that category and don't think it's fair.
"We live on Market Street. And just because the mail carrier comes down our road, we are being forced to put up a mailbox. We don't want to do that," said Lloyd Swanger.
"Why can't we leave well enough alone," shouted another attendee. "This was a mistake made 18 years ago. Why make these changes now?"
"Because we have to abide by our regulations," said Imler. "We are audited by the Inspector General's Office and they are going to say, You aren't collecting post office box fees that you should be.' "
"We don't want your regulations," said Albert Golfieri, of White Deer, who came to the meeting to talk to the postal officials. The situation in White Deer parallels what is occurring in New Berlin.
Union County Commissioner John Showers, a New Berlin resident, spoke for many in the crowd when he said how frustrating it was to see the U.S. government hand out billions in bailout money, "but you can't give our citizens a free post office box."
He added, "You're actually spending more money to expand home service, when we don't necessarily want it. This all just seems so stupid."
Earlier in the day, U.S. Postal Service spokesman Mark Hnasko explained that of the 760 post offices in the Central Pennsylvania District, about 40 percent are undergoing the same changes as New Berlin.
"This is not unique to New Berlin. It's taking place all over the country," he said.
News
Related Photos
-
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
-
Robert Inglis
-
Robert Inglis
Discussion
Residents say they can't refuse delivery
Some residents to lose free post offices boxes
- News
-
-
Raw milk remains popular, despite illnesses
WASHINGTON — The popularity of unpasteurized raw milk remains strong despite warnings from public health officials about its dangers and outbreaks of bacterial infections. In the latest case untreated contaminated milk from a Pennsylvania farm has sickened 38 people on the East Coast. It's a reminder of the risks of consuming milk bottled straight from the cow.
-
State Supreme Court explains legislative redistricting decision
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court today explained its reasons for rejecting the state's legislative redistricting plan last week, and a justice who disagreed with the ruling said this year's races will have to be held under the existing, decade-old maps.
-
Heinz Endowments fund Flight 93 oral histories
PITTSBURGH — A project to compile oral histories of those connected to the crash of hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 will continue for at least the next three years due to a $225,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments.
-
LARA looks ahead
LEWISBURG -- The Lewisburg Community Pool and spring and summer schedule of events are the big concerns these days for those running the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority. Officials are confident they finally have the regional recreation authority's financial situation under control.
-
Wirth not first driver to face murder charge
LEWISBURG -- Christopher Wirth isn't the first person to face a third-degree murder charge in connection with a fatal crash in Union County. "A death involving a vehicle can support third-degree murder depending on the acts of the subject," District Attorney D. Peter Johnson said Thursday.
-
Bumpy ride for prison officers
SUNBURY -- It's been a rough week for two Northumberland County Prison commanders who were suspended without pay, had their wages reinstated, were laid off and then rehired. On Monday, Brian Wheary was suspended without pay from his $36,030-a-year position as commander. By Thursday, the 37-year-old was back on the job.
-
Reality TV star ready for visit
SHAMOKIN -- Ron Shirley has never been to Shamokin, has never been to the Valley at all, but he has an idea of what's waiting for him here. "The only thing I expect is to meet friendly, honest people," said Shirley, a star of the hit Tru TV reality series, "Lizard Lick Towing."
-
Masser to seek 2nd term
ELYSBURG -- State Rep. Kurt Masser, a Republican from Elysburg, announced Thursday that he will seek a second term representing the 107th Legislative District in the state House. "I am pleased to announce that I will be seeking a second term to represent the people of our area," he said. "We've accomplished a lot in our first term, but there is so much more to do. I want to keep being an independent voice for our community in Harrisburg."
-
West Milton man arraigned on robbery charges
A West Milton man is the second suspect in an armed robbery at a West Buffalo Township convenience store Saturday night. Michael Gulli, 41, of 310 Broad St., was arrested by Milton state police who said Gulli was involved in pointing a gun at two employees of the Forest Hill Store, on Buffalo Road, in Union County, and threatening to kill them.
-
Show guns for 1,500
LEWISBURG -- Hundreds of long rifles and other Colonial weapons that helped win the Revolutionary War and forge a nation will be on display -- and some, for sale -- today through Saturday at the fifth annual 18th Century Artisan Show.
-
VIDEO: Social media command center helps Super Bowl visitors
Indianapolis is the first Super Bowl host city to utilize the power of Twitter and other social media to help football fans get the most out of football's biggest event.
-
Tim Burns drops out of U.S. Senate race
HARRISBURG — An entrepreneur from southwestern Pennsylvania is dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate now that the Republican Party has endorsed another candidate.
- More News Headlines
-
