Sun Editorial: A chance to be heard

Encampment and Riverside residents have been more than serious about the US Postal Service (USPS) at the Encampment Post Office.

Several residents gathered at Encampment Town Hall Thursday night with the collective goal of replacing Wendell O’Connell, who has served as Encampment’s postmaster for several months.

These residents spoke out against O’Connell with real passion and real concerns, and the least USPS can do is grant Encampment a representative with real authority.

USPS did not have such a person at the meeting Thursday.

Instead, Curt Artery represented USPS in the meeting. Artery said he lacked the authority to fire or transfer O’Connell. He also said he could not make a fire or transfer recommendation to his superiors.

Encampment and Riverside residents could not have been clearer about what they wanted after Rep. Jerry Paxton sent a petition and letter asking for the transfer of O’Connell. The USPS needs to send someone with the authority to transfer O’Connell, if only to listen to the complaints.

Artery said he did take notes and that he would deliver them to his superiors who work in Denver. Artery also said he would work with O’Connell and offer him more training. The consensus among residents in Encampment and Riverside is that is not good enough. These community members want something to change, and they want to be heard and taken seriously.

It doesn’t seem too much to ask of USPS to take these residents seriously.

Another meeting concerning O’Connell and the Encampment Post Office will be held at the Encampment Town Hall at 6 p.m. Sept. 26. Paxton was clear in asking there be someone with authority at that meeting to hear complaints. USPS should make every effort to accommodate that request.