The Importance of Small Post Offices

The following article is from the Washington Branch of the National Association of Postmasters of US (NAPUS): The division of Retired Postmasters is very active in advising communities when their local post office is threatened with closure. The Ardenvoir PO is housed in the Cooper General Store, pictured here.

Dec. 2008, Ardenvoir PO Told They Would Be Closed
The patrons of the Ardenvoir Post Office in Eastern Washington, with its population of 200 and the rental of 74 PO Boxes received a letter in their PO Box dated Dec. 16, 2008 that stated that as of Jan. 16, 2009, all postal operations, including post office box mail delivery would be suspended at the Ardenvoir Post Office.

Retired Postmasters Help Save the PO
Upon being contracted and appraised of the impending move, a trip was made (by Retired NAPUS members) to the community to see and hear their reaction. People were very upset and wanted to know what they could do. They were given the names of key persons to contact, inclding the Seattle District Manager, their congressman and US Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. They had a petition signed by over 100 people that they presented to some of the listed persons.

Ardenvoir A Zipless Town?
On Dec. 31, 2008, the headline story on the front page of the Wenatchee Daily World led off with "Now a Zipless Town?" It contained a picture and story about the impending suspension of services. A survey and insection of the Ardenvoir Post Office was made by selected Postal Officials. On Jan. 9,2009, a news item quietly appeared on page 2 in the Wenatchee paper stating that the Postal Service would let the Cooper General Store keep its Post Office and Ardenvoir could keep its 98111 zip!

NOTE: Our group has been in contact with the Retired Postmasters, and received helpful advice from them.