Godfrey Post Office - Information and Update

As you may be aware, residents in Godfrey – including myself – learned a week ago that our post office was being closed, and that the last day was to be Saturday. I was greeted with the news 4 days prior, when Mayor Smith let Council know what she had just learned. It was not pleasant news, and Council was unanimous in its opposition to the closing.

What has happened since then, through various questions, inquiries, etc. from Council members, Township staff, MP Scott Reid’s Office, and local reporters is some clarification of the situation. In order to piece it all together, and to make sure people are aware of the situation, this is a summary:

• ·Canada Post says that it has not taken the decision to permanently close the Godfrey Post Office, and that the closure is temporary due to the transfer of the postmistress to another location

• Until the position is filled, mail service will work out of Verona and package/parcel pickup will be done from there

• The post office also indicated that the positioning of community mailboxes may occur as a ‘temporary’ measure

• The position of Postmaster / Postmistress for Godfrey is covered under a Union contract. As such, it will first be posted to internal applicants (Canada Post employees), then go external to the broader public

• The winning candidate will be responsible for securing the location for the post office and working out those details (ie. lease and rent). Options include anything from a stand-alone location, to a residence. The main stipulation is that the location be compliant with Canada Post rules, such as accessibility, etc.

• If after both internal and external processes, Canada Post feels that it is unable to make a deal, the Godfrey Post Office could be officially and permanently closed

At present, the position has not yet been posted for a competition. Also, Canada Post has already begun to scope out places for the Community Mailboxes, one being in proximity to Godfrey General Store.

These are the facts of the current situation. They do, however, create even more questions:

• If it is only a temporary closure, why is Canada Post quickly moving to placing community mailboxes? If the boxes are ‘temporary’ why put them up at all?

• When is the competition being posted? When will the public be approached?

• Will the terms of the current competition resemble those of the previous one, or will the compensation, hours, etc. be drastically altered?

• If neither internal nor external applicants meet the approval of Canada Post, will we be informed why?

My own concern is as follows – that regardless of what has been said, Canada Post is not fully committed to the process they have announced. The placement of community mailboxes in advance of the posting of the contract speaks to a view that the tendering of the position is a formality, and that no candidate – internal or external – will meet the criteria set by Canada Post. In other words, Canada Post will “go through the motions” until they feel they are clear to close and go to the mailboxes.

Despite all of this, I believe that the fight to keep the Post Office open is one that can be won. The key is to ensure that the process is open, fair, and not predetermined. It is only when people don't push for answers that answers don't get provided.

Together, elected representatives at all levels and all of you, can ensure that every decision made by Canada Post regarding the Godfrey Post Office is above board and transparent.

Please continue to contact Canada Post. Let them know that our local post office is important to us, and that we want an open and transparent process. Let them know that a halfhearted attempt to keep it open is not good enough. Call 1-800-267-1177 and let them know!