Another option would be to provide roadside mailbox delivery through a rural carrier. Mail delivery points would be established or maintained and customers would be able to purchase most postal services through the carrier or other alternate access points.
The third option would be to find a suitable alternative location operated by a contractor, usually a local business. They could possibly offer stamps and flat rate products with service hours.
The fourth option would be to relocate the current post office box service to a nearby post office.
If the decision is made to no longer have a post office in Geneva, more than likely residents of Geneva would then have a rural Ellendale address. Are we ready for that?
Geneva may not be large but it does have certain qualities and active businesses that need a local post office, plus the convenience now offered to average citizens. Currently there are about 240 households that receive their mail at the post office.
We have watched as our identity has been eroded by school consolidation, I-35 passing by the city, as well as by the telephone company that lists telephone numbers of Geneva residents in the "Blooming Prairie and vicinity" classification in the telephone book. Are we going to let this big identification item that lists Geneva as an active, viable town to disappear?
Some situations come to mind which could result.
We know where we live, but what about others? What about the expense this change could amount to for both the city residents, businesses and local government who have printed paraphernalia like letterheads, checks ,etc.? These will all have to be changed. And think of the confusion of tracking a person living in Geneva with an Ellendale address.
In some cases, we would no longer be able to determine the correct amount of postage on letters without visiting a post office in our neighboring towns, or waiting until the next day to receive word back from the mail carrier if additional postage is required. We would also have to visit alternative postal services to send parcel post packages, as well as realize the complications of receiving packages through rural delivery as well.
And as I say, with a smile, greeting friends and neighbors at the post office has its social effect as well, and that too would change.
There will also be a substantial cost to the postal service as well. Will they really save a large amount of money in the long run?
To some, less than four hours of open window service would result in identity theft – our town identity! Geneva is a historical town, in fact the oldest existing city in Freeborn County, and well known for its years of active community events, including athletic teams and tournaments, the Geneva Cancer Auction, good food, friendly people, great businesses and an honorable source of activity.
It is vital that residents of Geneva remember to get their surveys sent back to the postal service by the April 25 deadline, as well as attend the meeting planned for May 9 at 7 p.m. at the community center. Local management of the Postal Service will share the results of the survey, answer questions and solicit input regarding the time of day the Post Office would be open, if that option is chosen.
Although survey results will be known and shared, the Postal Service will not make a final decision regarding the Geneva Post Office until after the public meeting has been held and reviewed.
Geneva has had a postal service going back to the days of the stagecoach.
We are Geneva. Don't let anyone forget it.
