Sheraden Residents Fight To Save Post Office

Shouts from sidewalks could be heard by passing cars in Sheraden on Saturday, as a group of about thirty residents attempted to gather signatures to save their post office.

They flagged down cars and passersby outside of the Corliss Post Office on Hillsboro Street. The location is one of twelve in Western Pennsylvania that is in danger of closing.

“One hundred years of neglect in the west-side communities is totally unacceptable,” said Marciana Rossi, a fourth generation resident of Sheraden. “The closing of the post office is the tip of the iceberg for long-term, overwhelming problems in these neighborhoods.”

Other residents showed concern about the lack of postal services.

“I’d like to see it stay because otherwise I have to go downtown to get a stamp. I don’t think that’s fair to the community,” said Charles Gordon.

The overall theme of the rally was centered upon saving a dwindling community.

"It's very frustrating. It's one of the last businesses we have here and it's a resource for the community,” said resident Kelly Carter. “I feel they are making it a ghost town. We are just trying to hang on."

Postal officials cited declining revenues as the reason for its potential closure. They said less than half of the P.O. boxes are rented.

Mayoral Candidate Kevin Acklin showed support for those taking a stand.

“I think that dollars and cents only go so far, you have to look at what it takes to reinvest in the neighborhood,” said Acklin. “Once you lose a post office so critical to the neighborhood, you never get it back.”

In addition to closing branches, The United States Postal Service said it may look to spending cuts and buy outs to account for a potential $7 billion deficit it could face this fiscal year.