U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, continues to seek answers regarding the U.S. Postmaster General’s decision in late May to close the Winfield contract postal unit.
Mrvan, in his most recent inquiry, sent a letter on July 30 to United States Postmaster General David Steiner regarding the termination of the contract postal unit located in Winfield set for closure on Sept. 30.
“The planned closure of the Winfield (CPU) could hinder my constituents’ ability to access convenient, reliable, and efficient postal services. I urge Postmaster General Steiner to clarify the postal service’s reasoning for the termination of the Winfield CPU contract, provide a public comment period to allow community members to express their concerns and reconsider this decision,” Mrvan said in his letter.
Other local, county and state representatives have also continued to seek answers, including Winfield Town Council President Zack Beaver and Winfield Township Trustee Cody Reynolds.
“It’s pretty straightforward to me. I’m thankful that Congressman Mrvan has heard the appeal from his constituents in Winfield and was willing to write that letter. I’m not overly optimistic that this will reverse the course on the closure but if successful, it will be a pleasant surprise for a number of Winfield residents,” Beaver said.
Reynolds said he sent letters early on, in support of keeping the post office, as have other representatives, including Lake County Republican Chairman Randy Niemeyer; State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point; State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell; and Lake County Commissioner Jerry Tippy, R-3.
Ideally, given that the Winfield area is one of the fastest growing in the state, Reynolds would like to see residents have their own post office and not just a contract postal unit.
“I’d like to see this (letter) be an initiation of a conversation so that the town of Winfield and Winfield Township can receive local postal services going forward. We need full services,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said he understands the idea of making things more efficient but this boils down to the allocation of resources.
“Why should a community of some 15,000 (the population of Winfield and LOFS) be forced to drive to the Leroy post office, of 200-400 people, and it’s not even full service, since it’s only open four hours a day during the weekdays,” Reynolds said.
Notice of contract termination was emailed by a U.S. Postal Service official in late May to Amy Culver, the customer service agent for the post office, and George and Diane Smith, owners of the building, which shares space with U-Haul Rentals.
Susan W. Wright, Strategic Communications Specialist for the U.S. Postal Corporate Communications, responded with the following email when asked the reason behind the termination: “The Postal Service sometimes contracts with retailers to host Contract Postal Units, or CPUs, within a retail establishment, operated by the retailer’s employee. CPUs can provide communities with expanded access to postal services, but they are not operated by the Postal Service. In all instances, CPU agreements may be terminated by either party upon 120 days’ written notice.”
“In the case of the Winfield CPU at 8380 E. 109th Ave., Crown Point, the Postal Service determined the nearby postal facilities are able to fully serve the community and the CPU was no longer needed.”
Wright could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday.
Culver and the Smiths, at the time, said they were blindsided by the email notifying them of the 120-day termination since they thought all was well.
“This came out of nowhere,” Culver said.
The U-Haul Rentals and the post office had a “permanently closed” sign on the front door on Friday morning during a drive-by of the property.
Diane Smith, when contacted at home, said the post office and U-Haul were both closed on Aug. 6 because Culver, who managed both businesses, had gotten another job.
In addition, postal officials have removed all their equipment from the building, which will be used as offices for the Smiths and their daughter.
“It’s really sad,” Smith said.
Mrvan, in his latest letter to the postmaster general, asked for answers to several questions, including:
— Why was the Winfield CPU specifically selected for termination? Is this an isolated incident, or is it part of a wider USPS effort to terminate CPU contracts?
— Given the USPS stated goal to improve “efficiency,” what is the projected economic impact of the Winfield CPU closure on USPS?
— What are the current average wait times for customers at the Leroy and Boone Grove post offices, and how is the closure of the Winfield CPU expected to affect wait times?
— Local elected officials in Winfield Township have expressed their concerns that USPS is also having discussions about closing the Leroy Post Office, which would significantly exacerbate the impact of the Winfield CPU closure. Can you provide assurances regarding the continued operation of the Leroy Post Office and other nearby post offices operating in Indiana’s First Congressional District?
— While there is no statutory requirement that USPS provide a public comment period before CPU closures, I believe it is critical to gather stakeholder input and conduct an impact assessment before proceeding with the decision.
“On behalf of my constituents, I urge you to provide detailed answers to the above questions, conduct a stakeholder-driven impact assessment of this decision, and reconsider the planned closure of the Winfield CPU. I look forward to your prompt response, and stand ready to work together to ensure continued access to efficient, reliable and convenient postal services for residents of Indiana’s First Congressional District,” Mrvan said in his letter.
The Winfield postal substation was opened in April 2021 and before that, was housed for many years inside the former Fagen Pharmacy, now CVS Pharmacy, 10809 Randolph St., before Fagen’s closed in 2017.
The town of Winfield and nearby unincorporated Lakes of the Four Seasons, which use a Crown Point ZIP code, have mail delivered through the Crown Point Post Office on Summit Street in Crown Point.
Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
