POSTAL AUTHORITIES held a meeting concerning Sierraville Post Office on Wednesday, August 6th at Sierraville School. Lynn Holmes, Manager of Post Office Operations, Nevada-Sierra District from Reno introduced herself to a rowdy crowd. There were instant complaints about incorrect information listed on handouts. Holmes told the crowd of “good news,” the post office won’t close but will reduce its hours to two hours, most likely from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. every day and Saturday operations will not change. She told of a “tremendous amount of customer surveys returned,” 60 out of 153. Seventy-two percent of respondents wanted realignment of hours; 5% delivery option and 23% made no selection. They had been evaluated, she said and based on input, unfortunately due to economics and the condition of the post office, have to look at reducing hours. The hours, however, she said weren’t “locked in” and finalized hours will be posted. Those in the crowd weren’t happy and one vocal customer called it “wasting our time.” Holmes tried to explain they were reducing hours because the post office hasn’t enough money. Holmes was hit with a lot of questions and made no attempt to answer, referring them to the Manager, Consumer Industry Carla Denard at (702) 361-9204 out of Las Vegas. Customers questioned getting mail the same day, late arrivals at the post office and how the postal employee could get her work done in such short hours. The outspoken gentleman accused the post office of not responding to a July 27th 2-page letter. “Not a word comes back,” he stated. “Nobody bothered to respond.” He wouldn’t answer when asked how it was addressed. Others asked how’d they make the post office hours when they worked until 5 p.m. and Holmes was accused of knowing the hours when she came. Holmes continued to give the “point of contact.” She was questioned over postal employees’ retirement and how the Sierraville Post Office was losing money, being interrupted by the one gentleman. On finances, Holmes called it “challenging.” Mary Moreau told the crowd, “Can we stop killing the messenger?” Holmes stated they’re “Hashing it out so there’s minimal delay for you.” Other post offices, Truckee and Loyalton, were said to be open all day. She didn’t know status of Calpine and she didn’t know the number of boxes at Sierraville. At this point, the gentleman sitting in the front of the room next to Holmes, rose and stated in 23 communities, he’d never encountered this reaction before. He was Mike Behrend, Reno Postmaster, and stated simply, they aren’t maintaining enough revenue. He told of other post offices with reduced hours which are “working wonderfully.” He said the work load can be done and surveys were looked at. The surveys were questioned when “you’ve made up your mind.” He, too, referred questions to Carla Denardo. He stated the postal service lost $5 billion last year which has some to do with prefunding. First class is declining with the internet. Banking services in the post office and wages to drive from Loyalton were questioned. Customers stated they couldn’t buy stamps at Sierraville. Tim Holabird, representative for Congressman Doug LaMalfa introduced himself and said to write the Congressman, the only office which “can really do anything to help.” He pointed out, too, Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen was there. He stated Congress voted they can’t close post offices, but can reduce hours yet have to justify it. Olivia McCaffrey was ashamed how the crowd acted so rudely. Mary Moreau called for a compromise on hours, perhaps Monday, Wednesday and Friday four hours which may accommodate those on their way home from work. Holmes said they look at hours of operation and what’s brought in. Under further question, Holmes stated they’d used current data and will continue to hire. The lack of stamps and mail supplies was discussed along with parcel lockers. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals defined the questioning and called it a “drastic reduction in services.” He told of recent goings on that may not have been included in analysis. He was given Carla Denard’s number and it was asked why didn’t Carla come? Beals said he’d never seen reduction down to two hours, stating, “That’s huge,” and added it’s “hollow when we can’t interact with answers.” Calpine Post Office was said to be reduced to 4 hours. Behrend told of “walk in revenue,” what comes across the counter. He stated, “If you love your post office, buy those stamps.” Under discussion, it was said postage meters don’t credit the post office. The hours will be posted for 30 days and during that time, customers have an opportunity to respond.