It’s hard to go anywhere in town without someone asking for an update on the Post Office and what the future plans are for this important community service.  To be sure, this has been one of my top priorities over the first eight months of my time in office, with nearly 50 email strands dedicated to the subject.

Last week, I was part of two different Business Retention and Expansion visits and at both sites, the need for a local Post Office was conveyed very strongly by both sets of ownership. 

We want businesses to know that they are being heard and we agree that it is vital to retain this function within our City.

 Here are a few important items to consider.

• We have successfully engaged our Federal partners, with Senators Klobuchar and Smith, as well as Congressman Emmer all giving the issue a great deal of time and effort.  It is a great example of a bipartisan approach to serving constituents and I thank all three of these elected officials and their staff for the continued assistance.

• I also thank the media, from The Patriot to Channel 5 KSTP TV, for their assistance in spreading the word on the importance of maintaining services in Becker.  If you saw the TV segment, you know that long-time Becker resident Janet Voigt was the star of the show and I am grateful for her participation and wisdom.

• A special recognition for the Rademacher family, owners of Bill’s Family Foods and Bill’s Superette, for their ongoing persistence and dedication to trying to find a workable solution.  They have gone to great personal expense, in both time and money, and have prepared several different options for the USPS to consider.  They have shown grace, patience and a tremendous commitment to the Becker community, all while going well above and beyond in their efforts.  If you see Grant or one of his boys, please tell them “thank you” for their ongoing commitment.

• Within the last several weeks, we did extend an offer to the USPS leadership to locate temporary Post Office Boxes here within the community.  We have not heard back yet on this proposal, but are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that our community sees a continuation of services.  

We are also committed to ensuring that our delivery personnel are brought back to Becker, where they can better serve the residents of the City and Township.  I know this entire fiasco has been difficult for the local Post Office employees, who are in just as much limbo (and probably more) as the rest of us.  We want you to know we value you and appreciate the work you do for us. We will keep fighting for you. 

In the coming weeks and months, or for as long as it takes, I remain committed to finding a common sense solution that keeps our post office here in Becker.  While I cannot make promises about timelines, decisions or end results, I can make one promise: as soon as we know more, we will share the facts with the community.