While officials in Washington, D.C. review the viability of Rocky Ford’s post office, the town will host a public meeting in hopes of preserving its link to the world.
The Rocky Ford office is one of 3,700 retail locations across the country – 45 in Georgia – that appears on a list released by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in July indicating locations that would be evaluated for possible closure.
Citizens of the town, as well as those from nearby portions of Bulloch and Jenkins counties, are being called to Rocky Ford Town Hall Monday at 6 p.m. to sign a petition asking that the Postal Service continue operating the office – which has served the area since 1869.
 “Rocky Ford Post Office has just been a great service to the community for so many years,” said Beth Ward, Rocky Ford Town Clerk. “I have heard many concerns from people who do not want to see it closed. We are doing our best to keep it open, if we can.”
The impending closings are part of a USPS plan to help close a $20 billion revenue shortfall by 2015. In fiscal year 2010, the Postal Service suffered an $8.5 billion net loss, compared to a loss of $3.8 billion the year prior.
According to the USPS, most of the offices being studied for closure have little foot traffic per day and average less than $50 daily.
Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe believes savings from the closings could be as much as $200 million.
“The financial mismanagement of the Unites States Postal Service should not be a burden or pain on the people here in Rocky Ford that had nothing to do with it,” said Greta Newton, the Rocky Ford citizen who penned the petition and will speak to residents Monday.
“Why should we suffer,” she said. “It is not fair, and I’m going to do everything I can to fight for the people of this community.”
According to Newton, who leases the historic building in Rocky Ford’s town square for use by the Postal Service, the office’s closing would be a detriment to many. Her petition calls for the post office’s remaining open ‘so as not to impart a burden financially and physically on the citizens of the area.’
“Rocky Ford is an older community,” said Newton. “Should you close this post office, there will be many elderly citizens forced to get behind the wheel of their car or truck and drive to Statesboro, Sylania or Millen just to buy a stamp.”
“Elderly persons’ boundaries grow narrower as time goes on. But here in Rocky Ford, they can drive up to the post office, talk with the Postmaster, and socialize with others. It really does enhance their lives,” she said. “If you close the post office, you take that away from them.”
The rural office regularly serves about three hundred people, according to Patricia Faircloth, Postmaster for the Rocky Ford retailer. About 250 customers are located on the office’s delivery route, and approximately 75 post office boxes are currently rented by residents. The office also serves as the primary post office location for individuals in surrounding counties – the closest outpost is approximately 10 miles away, she said.
In recent weeks, since learning Rocky Ford’s office was being considered for closure, Newton spoke with local and state representatives who encouraged a petition.
Other towns targeted for evaluation have taken similar action.
Oliver and Daisy (Evans County) have hosted town meetings to address the concerns of locals and form petitions to be submitted to the USPS.
In Daisy, citizens placed blue ribbons on homes, mailboxes, vehicles and various landmarks to show their desire to save the town’s post office.
Once an office is selected for review, people served by that office have 60 days to file their comments. If an office is to be closed, a town may appeal to the independent Postal Regulatory Commission.
According to Ward, towns are sent official notification by the USPS, who also mails surveys to box-holders to gauge the need for an outpost.
Oliver residents received surveys last month; people in Rocky Ford have yet to be sent the mail, she said.
After Monday’s meeting, the petition will be placed at a booth in the Rocky Ford Post Office for additional signatures, said Ward.
Also, “I am personally going to take [the petition] to those who can’t make it to the meeting or post office,” she said. “We are hoping that is going to help us.”
According to Newton, individuals will be encouraged to contact local and state representatives to promote the office. Contact information will be dispersed at Monday’s meeting, she said.
    Jeff Harrison can be reached at 912-489-9454