Some support end to Saturday mail delivery

A United States Postal Service worker delivers mail Saturday on Maupin Avenue.

A United States Postal Service worker delivers mail Saturday on Maupin Avenue.

A United States Postal Service employee delivers mail Saturday on Maupin Avenue in Salisbury.

A United States Postal Service employee delivers mail Saturday on Maupin Avenue in Salisbury.

By Shelley Smithssmith@salisburypost.com

With the U.S. Postal Service facing a projected $7 billion loss in 2010 alone, some Salisbury residents say they support cutting Saturday delivery.

Some say they don't even check their mail on a daily basis now.

"It's fine with me," Christie Preston said. "That's two days without bills."

Preston also said the junk mail she receives daily has a bad effect on the environment.

"Every day they shut down, I bet 2 million trees are saved," she said.

"We used to check our mail everyday, because something good might have been there. Now it's mostly junk."

Gaby Carrillo of Salisbury said she wouldn't mind if the mail came only once a week.

"I'm only looking for my paycheck," she said. "Everything else is on the computer."I love that technology is replacing the mail."

Carrillo and Preston welcome the electronic changes, however, they don't want to see anyone lose their job.

"In a way, the change would help some people, but hurt others," Carrillo said.

"We have an awesome mail carrier service that we take for granted," Preston said.

"And it's good to see the mailman," said Carrillo.

Becky Thompson of Kannapolis said a weekday would be a better day to end mail services.

"If they stop any day, stop it on Wednesday," Thompson said. "Give them a break."

Michelle Hale, visiting Salisbury from Virginia Beach, Va., said a lot of people depend on the Saturday services.

"A lot of people on workman's comp depend on their checks," she said. "They (checks) usually don't come on Friday, but Saturday."

Cornelia Allen of Salisbury said she hates it for the employees who may face cuts, but said the increases in postage cost have people worried.

"They've gone way up on our stamps," Allen said. "Every time we turn around they're increasing the price. I stay with the Forever stamps for that reason.

"I think it's cutting things a little bit too tight."

According to the Associated Press, the Postal Service has asked permission from Congress not only to stop Saturday delivery but to increase postage rates.

A release from the Postal Service said the agency faces a projected $238 billion shortfall during the next 10 years if nothing is changed.

The proposed rate increase, which is likely to be 3 percent this year and 10 percent in 2011, would be needed for the agency to keep from losing money.

Out of the 32,000 post offices in the United States, 26,000 have expenses exceeding revenue.

Frederic V. Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said eliminating one day of delivery should not be an option to fix the losses.

"I do not believe that weakening our commitment of six-day service to the public will enhance the long-term position of the Postal Service as a critical element in our nation's economic infrastructure," Rolando said.

The Postal Service said it would save $40 billion over the next 10 years if Saturday services were ended.

One thing is clear: Internet use has changed everything.

Whether Americans are paying bills online, e-mailing their friends and family, and now, using Skype for real-time video messaging, the demand for snail mail has dropped.

The increase in postal rates have affected postal service use, according to Salisbury citizens and the general U.S. population, and the proposed 3 percent increase this year, and 10 percent increase in 2011, isn't sitting well with some.

"We need to walk slowly and very, very careful," Postmaster General John E. Potter said of the rate increases.

At its peak, the Postal Service had 800,000 employees. It has cut back to 600,000. Potter said 300,000 workers will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years, and he hopes to hire more part-time employees.

For more information and a detailed report of the future possibilities of the USPS, visit www.usps.com/strategicplanning/.