Otisfield, Maine - "You'll Take Our Mailbox Over Our Dead, Cold Bodies... and Our Backhoe."
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Maine town fights phase-out of curbside mailbox
By Clarke Canfield
Associated Press Writer
July 17, 2009 3:15 PM
OTISFIELD, Maine (AP) — The folks of Otisfield are so fond of their lone public mailbox that they blocked it with a snowplow and a backhoe to prevent the Postal Service from taking it away in the gloom of night. Town officials also threatened to chain themselves to the blue box if necessary.
The box is still there, for now at least. But it's probably a losing battle.
Betsy's sending them one of her muskets, and enough shot to keep them going for a while.
Agreed, particularly since (as the article states) the postal service already sends someone there daily to deliver the mail, to a receptacle right next to the blue mailbox in question.
If they have to deliver the mail anyway, what's the big deal about picking up the mail, right next to the other receptacle??
Another bureaucratic bunglement, and I am very heartened to hear that the Otisfield folks aren't taking it lying down. If only all our town officials were this feisty, and had such common sense. What a change there might be, in Augusta and DC.
Unfortunately, Maine just makes the national news again looking like a bunch of rednecks. It isn't Otisfield's mailbox, if the USPS was smart, they would just leave it there to avoid a fight, but stop emptying it anyway. We all want cuts until they affect us.
The Associated Press
Marianne Izzo-Morin, left, Otisfield’s administrative assistant, and Sharon Matthews, town clerk, are among the residents fighting to keep the town’s only public mailbox.
Since this is a operation owned funded by the customers postage and taxes it is theirs. The only thing this situation has btroughtto the attention of us is the total lack underestanding from the "Service"!
Yes, that is what they have forgotten, it is the U.S. Postal SERVICE, that is what they do ,provide a service.
In this case it is delivering and picking up mail. If there is a cost it is shared with delivery cost to boxes before it
beside it and after it!. I wonder if the delivery person woud pick up a outgoing letter to be sent that a customer left in their mailbox? If they are worried about efficientcy thereis other ways to go.
I always loved the fact that Brunswick like most places there is a box in front of Post Office. If one posts a letter for Brunswck in ,it goes to Scarborough then returns! Service, efficientcy,Stupidity?
Bruce - I agree - we should start calling them the Postal SERVICE from now on.
Like many who live in rural areas, Otisfield residents said they worry about leaving outgoing mail in home mailboxes for pickup, due to theft and vandalism. I don't blame them wanting to keep the one secure mailbox for five miles around, especially with ID theft so rampant these days.
I congratulate them for taking a stand, and asking for common sense from the Postal SERVICE.
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Go Marianne!!!! I have had several business related convesations over the last year with Marianne darnn fiesty lady ..the post office better watch out !!!!!!
If the post office really wanted to save money they could consolidate some offices.....ayuh let's get rid of the that 'spensive blue box ovah in Otisfield