Possible Elmo Post Office closure brings hardship, concern

Elmo residents, including Mignon Harris (center) commented on the proposed closure of the Elmo Post Office. Elmo has more residents than Dayton or Big Arm (towns that are located on either side of Elmo), "It's because we're poorer here." (Kim Swaney photo)

ELMO — Closing the Elmo Post Office would not only wipe Elmo off the map, it would eliminate the social hub for its residents, say those opposed to the potential closure at a meeting held here last Wednesday.

“When you don’t take care of the smaller people, you shoot yourself in the foot,” warned part-time Elmo resident, Dutch Kaufman, who is also retired. Kaufman like many others in rural towns such as Elmo and Dixon rely on the U.S. Postal Service more than folks in urban and suburban areas.

But that is not what is being weighed or measured. What the USPS is doing is looking at which post offices are losing money and are no longer needed,” said Ken Bates, acting manager of U.S. Postal Service operations in Montana.

Elmo’s Post Officer in Charge, DeeDee Jolma, has been at the helm for 11 years. Residents lauded Jolma for going above and beyond her duties as OIC. Need help filling out forms? Jolma can help.

Residents say the post office is also their banker where a person can go to get a money order or pick up their check.

With Elmo in between Dayton and Big Arm, closing the central location doesn’t make sense - but its not making cents - are what matters say postal officials.

The per-capita distributions made three times per year by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Dayton and Big Arm combined are still less than Elmo say CSKT Enrollment Officials.

“I don’t care what they call it - it’s a closure list,” says CSKT Dixon Tribal Council Representative, Terry Pitts. Pitts was in attendance at the Elmo meeting and said he would not be able to attend Dixon’s meeting, which was held during the regularly scheduled Tribal Council meeting Thursday morning.

“Tribal members are not comfortable coming to a forum such as this,” reiterated Pitts.

Rosemary Caye, who spoke on behalf of her mother who couldn’t attend, says her mother has had the same box since 1921.”

Some fear that the elderly and disabled persons who will need to change their address if the post office closes, face barriers accessing automated phone services that could prevent some of them from receiving their disability or social security income.

Senators Baucus and Tester both had representatives available at the Elmo meeting, as well as Representative Rehberg.

“Jon Tester comes from Big Sandy - it’s a rural area and Jon understands, rural,” offered Tester’s Field Director, Virginia Sloan.

All three legislators’ field personnel vow that their Montana leaders are weighing in on the potential closures and have each dedicated time and space on their websites to complete a survey, direct questions or addresses to send correspondence.

Last week Senator Tester announced that Montanans could access his website to file their survey, direct questions or give comment by visiting http://www.tester.senate.gov or visit http://www.tester.senate.gov/Legislation/postal.cfm

Tuesday, U.S. Senator Baucus launched a Resource guide on his website to help Montanans access information. “Montanans know just how important rural Post Offices are for our jobs and communities, and it’s up to us to make sure postal bureaucrats do too. I’m doing all I can to pass along the concerns I’m hearing from folks on the ground and I’m asking Montanans to join me by logging on to learn more and make their voices heard,” said Baucus.

People can access the Resource Guide through Baucus’ website, www.baucus.senate.gov at the top of the homepage under “hot topics,” or directly by typing: http://baucus.senate.gov/?p=general&id=82

Whether or not the USPS will reconsider a reduced work schedule - from six days a week to five, eliminating Saturday’s delivery has already been denied once, says USPS Discontinuance Coordinator, Mary Anderson.

Whether or not it is still an option, remains to be seen.

Residents are asked to still turn in their surveys to the respective postal managers. You can also write your legislators, the USPS or the Postal Regulatory Commission.