OPINION: An Opportunity To Help Your Letter Carrier

OPINION: An Opportunity To Help Your Letter Carrier
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Submitted by Don Thatcher, Postmaster

To: Postal Customers, Green River, Wyoming

The U.S. Postal Service has been delivering to Green River-area residents since it was part of the Dakota Territory – nearly 140 years. Our carriers have seen plenty of winters. But the current snow storage and ice situation is creating some hazards and difficulties for our employees and we are asking for your help.

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So far this winter we have had four injuries due to the ice. Fortunately, our carriers are recovering but the potential for serious injury remains.

Postal regulations state that mailboxes should have clear and safe’ access before we make delivery. I understand this is not always easy given our extraordinary snow and ice this year.

Each of our carriers has as many as 600 deliveries to make. One hazardous delivery compounded by snow and ice times a day’s worth times six days a week and you can see the dilemma.

We access some boxes by driving up and placing the mail through the window of the postal vehicle. In some current situations, boxes can only be accessed by parking in the middle of the street and traversing over an ice berm to make the delivery, creating additional traffic and personal hazards.

Please do what you can to clear a path for our vehicles. We understand in some situations the municipal plows are contributing to the access issue. You are free to contact them to help alleviate your individual situation.

Thank you for helping us deliver your mail to you in a timely and safe manner.

Don Thatcher, Postmaster