Changes coming for USPS

Change is inevitable.

In a press release from March 3, The U.S. Postal Service announced the organizational changes initiated last August will include district consolidation from 67 postal districts to 50.

The next phase will also include a centralization of marketing into the Chief Customer and Marketing organization by May.

There will also be a realignment of logistics and processing.

"These organizational changes will strengthen our mission and commitment to serve the American people by improving efficiency and streamlining decision making throughout the organization," Louis Dejoy, postmaster general and CEO, said in a press release last week. "By improving operational focus and business strategy execution along with greeter investment, we will strengthen our public service mission, achieve service excellence, and place the Postal Service on a path towards financial sustainability."

According to Dejoy, these changes are necessary following significant net losses to the post office since 2007.

These changes may also explain why your mail is late - or if it was even delivered at all.

Diana Blackburn, office manager for Wapakoneta, noted the backlog of packages and mail at the end of 2020 around Christmas.

"It did slow down when… we would send out our utility bills monthly," Blackburn said. "We always try to get them out two or three days before the end of the month, and we require them to be in the homes by the 1st."

But that didn't happen in January or February.

"They were delivered very late, Blackburn said. "I would say at least seven to eight days late."

So Blackburn's office pushed back due dates and dropped late penalties for the city's utility customers.

According to Melanie Shaner, circulation manager at the Wapakoneta Daily News, the late mail delivery could be attributed to the postal service recently losing staff. And while they're trying to make up for the loss, it hasn't been easy.

"I think they've got four carriers for six routes," Shaner said. "That's a lot of routes, so the carriers are going out later."

One reason why there is significant loss could be the postal service's Voluntary Early Retirement option to eligible, nonbargaining employees.

Loss of staff is not just a Wapak problem either.

"Decatur is being affected, Shelby, OH is being affected, we're being affected, Monroeville is being affected," Shaner said.

To ensure delivery arrives on time, Shaner recommended certified return receipts.

And for April 15, the day taxes are due, Shaner suggested if you weren't filing electronically to mail them two weeks early.

If you're worried your city bills aren't being returned on time, Blackburn said payments to the city can be made online, over the phone at 1-855-288-2349, or through an auto-pay form residents can sign up for, which is free (credit card payments will charge a fee for using a third party).

There is also a drop box next to their window, located at 701 Parlette Ct.

"That's accessible 24-hours/day," Blackburn said.

Another reason for the delay could be the centralization of administrative support functions from area and district levels to the headquarters.

Either way, an announcement for the final structure and staffing changes is scheduled for May, right after taxes are due.

The Wapakoneta Post Office declined to comment; and in fact, hung up when the reporter identified himself.