ownship officials, residents fight to keep Tower Post Office open

Any possible closing of the Tower Post Office has been put on hold for at least a year, according to Forest Township supervisor Harry Hopkins, who upon learning of a decision by the U.S. Postal Service to not renew the lease at the Black River Party Story, organized an effort to inform local residents that the facility may be shut down.

Hopkins was concerned that there had been no public meeting to explain the reasons behind the decision to renew the lease, and wanted to know why no other site had been explored.

There was concern that the facility could have been closed as soon as March 31 if the lease was not renewed, but Hopkins was told by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow?s office that any decision was put on hold for at least a year, although building owner Jim Ricketts said a temporary lease had not been signed as of Thursday morning.

Ricketts said he had been in contact with officials from the Real Estate Division in Chicago after receiving a letter that the lease was going to be terminated. He was told that when the lease expired at the end of the month the doors to the Tower Post Office would be closed and the mail would be redistributed through Onaway.

IN THE MEANTIME, local officials will regroup and figure out what steps need to be taken to keep the outlet open and why plans were scrapped to construct a new facility.

The Black River Part

y Store was supposed to be a temporary location, although Ricketts hoped to negotiate a long-term lease.

Tower has had a post office for 106 years ?and it is vital our community maintain this facility to service the residents of this community,? said Forest Township board trustee Marlene Hopkins.

After flyers were distributed, the township supervisor was contacted by 50 to 60 people, who say they want the facility remain open.

Recently, a move was made from its former location on North Barclay Avenue to the current location within a renovated section of the Black River Party Store.

?New post office boxes were purchased, which made many residents have to switch their former post office box number to a newly assigned post office box number, which made a great inconvenience when switching one?s address,? said Marlene Hopkins. She said many residents live close enough to walk and have chosen to have a post office box for security reasons. The township supervisor had been in contact with federal and state officials.

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