(Source: Leader-Telegram)
By Chuck Rupnow, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.
April 24--DOWNING -- Closing the post office in Downing would save an estimated $50,000 a year to the U.S. Postal Service, but that closure would cost the citizens of this small Dunn County community a lot more.
Downing, with a population of 247, is one of two Eau Claire area post offices scheduled for elimination over the next half year. The Humbird post office in Jackson County also would be closed.
Downing residents hope a meeting last Thursday night with postal officials might save the post office, but it's unlikely.
"The only way we'll be able to save it is if people write to their legislators, and they do something to stop it," said Eileen Michalski, who worked at the Downing post office 28 years, including 25 as postmaster, until retiring in 2004.
"The post office is important here because it's a community thing," said Michalski, who instigated a petition drive opposed to the post office closing. "At the post office, you find out who died, who's getting married, having a baby and other things. Closing this is going to be a real hardship for some people who don't drive."
Postal officials say postal services will be available at neighboring Boyceville and Glenwood City offices, as well as from a rural carrier, but Michalski claims it "won't be the same.
"You just won't get the type of personal service at the larger places as you do in Downing," she said, adding that there are about 20 businesses in and around Downing which utilize its post office services. "The bigger ones are just too busy for that and that's what people will miss -- the service."
Bob Upthall, who lives outside Downing, calls Downing his "favorite post office.
"I hardly ever go to Boyceville, and I won't go to Glenwood City," he said. "It seems like there should be a way to keep it open. I know our government spends way too much, but you would think there would be a way to keep a post office open."
The Downing office is open for personal assistance four hours each weekday morning and about two hours on Saturdays, with the lobby open almost nine hours each weekday and about four hours on Saturdays.
Community residents who do not receive carrier mail delivery are entitled to free boxes in the lobby.
Betty Steies and Bill Hoffman, both of Downing, routinely walk to the post office and find time with others to converse about community events.
"I don't like the idea of this closing," Steies said. "I do all my paying with money orders.