Scrooge lives! – in the Postmaster General’s office

To the editor:

While visiting post offices in support of the local “Toys 4 Tots” campaign, we were made aware of a post office memo, dated November 25, that absolutely prohibits Toys 4 Tots from post office premises. This surprised us and the local postmaster, whom we have dealt with for many years. The next post office we visited had the same memo, so we knew it must be a “company-wide” rule.

In the 10 years we’ve volunteered for the Toys 4 Tots campaign, we’ve always found the postmasters and letter carriers to be supportive above and beyond the call of duty. They’ve spent many hours of their own time to help us, and never asked anything in return. For the post office to put a stop to this, for no apparent reason, is just plain wrong.

While this decision certainly makes life easier, in that we no longer have to travel to the various post offices to pick up the toys, think of the children who won’t have the benefit of our trips. There is one post office that had a family that donated multiple bicycles every year. We guess those kids can walk from now on.

For the post office to announce this the day after Thanksgiving is a shot below the belt. They could have let us know weeks ago and we could have made adjustments. We’re Marines after all: we “overcome, adapt and improvise.” We urge all who read this and who feel as we do to make some noise and get the post office on the right track. While this is much too late in the year to do very much good in time for the holidays, We urge all well-wishers, donators and good Samaritans to find those people who do have the holiday spirit and are willing to accept toys for the kids. Some of the many fine people who are supporting us are K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Baers, Dime Bank and, of course, the Court House. This is certainly not a complete list (which we don’t have at this writing). We apologize to those we missed, but time is short and the holidays draw near. If you need further information, call 570/729-7548 or 729-7519.

Open letter to the constituents of Highland

Supervisor Schadt, we would like to reflect on our first visit to your office to discuss the imbroglio in which you have placed us with the town board. I started by saying that lawsuits are expensive for all parties. With that, you became adversarial, telling me to give it my best shot. At the June 11, 2004 meeting, our only request was that the code enforcement agency put pressure on the builder to make the necessary corrections to bring the house up to code. The response, according to the lawyer Mr. Garigliano, was that the Town of Highland would not enforce code at our house. This is not acceptable dialogue from a government agent.

A perfect example of a good communication between an agent of the government and a citizen whom they represent is the enclosed letter from United States Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton. Please take the time to read it and observe the language she has used. Even though this is an extreme comparison, this is the way a government agent should address a constituent. Not only is Hilary Rodhem Clinton an ex-President’Ss wife, she is also an astute attorney. That being said, I doubt very much if this would have been her response if she thought there had been no wrong doing.

Isn’t it interesting that a person of her stature and importance took the time to review the history we sent her and respond with this letter? She is truly a champion of the people who have no voice.

Thank you for sharing your concerns with me. I appreciate your taking the time to bring this matter to my attention.

In an effort to be of assistance, I have brought the information you presented to the attention of the appropriate officials. I have requested a review of this matter and a written response from their office.

As soon as I have something further to report, I will contact you again.