Dear Editor,
I read with great interest Matt King’s story, “Do not Dismount” in Saturday’s edition. I have had my difficulties with the Gilroy Post Office as well.
I was unable to receive any mail at my new address in Gilroy, although I had submitted all the correct documentation to the postmaster to certify that I indeed did live where I claimed to live. The long and short of the tale is that the walking carrier, who has been replaced, did not feel my home was occupied. When I spoke to her on the street, I was told that the Post Office had no information to verify my claim. In order to establish delivery, I took the copy of the DMM, Domestic Mail Manual, from the Internet (http://pe.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm/dmmtc.pdf ) and called the post office at least five times to finally reach Postmaster Penny Yates. The DMM is a great document. It is to the Postal Service what the Bible is to the Pope.
DMM section D041, subsection 1.4 clearly states, “Customers must keep the approach to their mailboxes clear of obstructions to allow safe access for delivery. If USPS employees are impeded in reaching a mail receptacle, the postmaster may withdraw delivery service.” This must be at least one of the sections that gave Postmaster Yates the drive to write, ” are instructed that they are not to dismount to blocked mail receptacles.” I want to read D041 sec. 1.4 again. Nowhere does it say convenient or timely access for delivery. It says safe access for delivery.
I also wish to take severe issue with postal worker Patricia Finley’s claim that her effectiveness is reduced by exiting her vehicle and walking 20 feet round trip, truck to receptacle and back. I was always brought up that it was better to do the job right the first time, rather than going back again. Yes, her time on route may be increased, but I do not think that the Post Office pays it’s drivers on a time spent in the seat basis.
As for supervisor Terry Medeiros’ statement that there were too many confusing manuals, the USPS Web site has only one – and it was updated this year.
The one part of this whole saga left unmentioned was that federal postal delivery is not a privilege. It is a paid service that is provided by the U.S. government to all citizens. Convicted felons, released murderers, and junk bond traders all receive mail.
Although indirectly, the Postal Service works for every citizen. Postmaster Penny Yates should take a bit of time to re-evaluate how she addresses and instructs her personnel to address the people they work for. My last post office was in Orcutt, CA 93457. When I was going through the delivery difficulties I mention before, I called them. After I told them where I was now, my favorite “old” postmaster indicated that the Gilroy Post Office was extremely high in the number of complaints received. I now can see why.
Ben Anderson, Gilroy
