Lee Vining encouraged to respond to Post Office survey

Following the recent retirement of Lee Vining postmaster, Joanne Miller the United States Postal Service is looking at making changes to how the Lee Vining Post Office operates. They recently sent a survey to all box holders asking for responses on several options of how to operate the Post Office into the future.

According to Lee Vining resident Geoff McQuilkin, “Word was to expect a reduction in ‘counter hours’ from 8 to 6 per day as a cost saving measure, which seems workable for everyone.”

However the survey includes other options that are based around closing the post office building. In some of these options, mail would be delivered to roadside boxes instead, but there would be no post office or postal worker in town anymore to mail packages, purchase stamps, purchase money orders, etc.

This is a big concern locally as the post office is heavily used for personal, tourist, and a lot of business matters,” McQuilkin said.

McQuilkin and Sally Miller came before the Mono County Board of Supervisors to point out the importance of everyone, including the supervisors, responding to the survey.

“People need to respond to the survey supporting the reduced hour option,” McQuilkin said. “USPS wants to see if people care, including the Supervisors. The survey does indicate they will go with the reduced hours strategy unless there is strong preference for a different approach, so best to be sure they know people want the reduced hour option.”

A meeting is also scheduled for Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Lee Vining Post Office. USPS officials will be present to hear from the community.