By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The protesters outside the Bowling Green post office Saturday morning broke in to cheers as a mail carrier on his route approached.
As postal service cuts make it more difficult for mail carriers to perform their jobs, they are being heralded as heroes.
In Bowling Green, the carrier broke out into a smile, but couldn’t talk about the changes affecting mail delivery.
“I’m sorry. I’m not supposed to speak on it,” he said. “I apologize.”
Until this week, the postal service was reportedly implementing a sweeping plan to remove 671 mail-sorting machines, or about 10% of its total, from facilities across the U.S.
Officials also slashed overtime. Before the recent cuts, many postal workers were working six days per week, and were still struggling to keep up with the volume of packages driven by an influx of online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Across the country, postal workers have reported packages piling up, with boxes of steaks, fruit and other perishables rotting. The delays were particularly tragic for live animals, including baby chickens, that are transported through the U.S. Postal Service.
The local citizens outside the Bowling Green post office were protesting the gutting of the U.S. Postal Service.
“We have taken this for granted too long,” said Nancy Patterson. “This is a public utility for the public good.”
Hilde Farrow, of Bowling Green, has noticed the delay in her mail deliveries. The sluggish deliveries are particularly bad when bills arrive later than usual. Farrow said her bills from the city are now getting to her with just three days to spare before payments are due.
“I don’t think we can disband the post office,” when so many rely on its services, Farrow said.
Sandy Lepper, of Bowling Green, is seeing the same delay in her mail.
“It’s not the fault of our good postal workers here,” Lepper emphasized.
Marcia Rybczynski agreed the problem rests at the top – not with mail carriers.
“Postal workers are working very hard to make sure we get our mail,” she said. “We do support postal workers.”
Many of the motorists passing by the Bowling Green protesters honked their horns in support. Americans overwhelmingly appreciate the USPS.
“A total of 91% of people love the post office,” said Kay Chapman, of Bowling Green. “The post office is an important American institution. I hate to see this administration take down another piece of our government for no good reason.”
Debbie Dalke, of Bowling Green, talked about how important mail delivery is to the one-third of Americans who live in rural areas.
“I’m here because the post office is a vital service,” Dalke said. “Many of these people are elderly. Most of the people who get prescriptions by mail are elderly.”
And, then there are concerns about how the postal cuts will affect mail in ballots in the November election.
“Of course I am worried about the election,” Dalke said.
The protesters said they lack trust in President Donald Trump and his newly appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to protect the postal service.
Facing mounting public pressure and a crush of state lawsuits, DeJoy announced Tuesday he is halting some operational changes to mail delivery that critics blamed for widespread delays and warned could disrupt the November election.
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that DeJoy informed her he did not intend to restore the sorting machines or blue mailboxes that have been removed in several cities, nor did he have plans to allow for adequate overtime for workers.
And postal workers say significant damage has already been done, including the removal of mail-sorting machines.
“I am highly concerned about the decision making by the postmaster general,” Rybczynski said. “I’m concerned that he didn’t respond to the need to make changes until he was called in front of the Senate.”
