I have sent the following letter to the Postmaster of Spokane, with a copy to the Postmaster General, Washington, D.C.

If Sandpoint is to get a new post office, we the patrons have to appeal to the Postmaster of Spokane, who makes the decisions about the Sandpoint Post Office, to persuade him that we do need a new facility.

Therefore, it is my hope that if others agree with me they will also write to the Spokane Postmaster. If they do, they should be specific and to the point as to what they think the problems and/or needs are.

Dear Sir or Madam:

I understand the Sandpoint Post Office is under your jurisdiction. I am writing you as a concerned patron of the Sandpoint office, hoping you will take some action to solve these problems.

In my opinion, Sandpoint needs a new post office in order to serve its patrons adequately. Though my address is in the Sagle district, Sagle is only a postal area, with no "town" visible.

Sandpoint is where I do my business: Shopping for needs such as groceries, gasoline, clothing, hardware, prescriptions and sundries; as well as visiting doctors, restaurants and the library. It is where I attend concerts, festivals and school events. Just as for many other residents in the outlying areas around the town, Sandpoint is the center of my activities, so naturally I do postal business there as well.

From my perspective, there are three major postal problems with the present post office location:

? First, there is simply not enough parking space. This often creates traffic congestion, not only in the parking lot, but also in the streets around the post office on Church Street and Fourth Avenue, which is a safety hazard for the vehicles and pedestrians, as well as a great inconvenience. I have seen and also been told of traffic and safety issues for postal workers in the pickup and delivery area adjacent to the post office.

? Second, long lines for counter service many sometimes be expected, but are never appreciated. But waits of 10, 15 minutes and longer have been common — though your employees are hard-working and efficient. This delay, of course, leads to more problems in the parking lot.

? Third, the drive-thru mail drop-off box has been a problem for postal employees as well as for patrons, owing to accidents and near accidents in its previous location.

Although the box is now in perhaps the only alternative place, it too, creates driving hazards, and as I see it, adds to the traffic flow problems in the loading zone for postal employees. Also, patrons are likely to get drenched when rain pours from the roof overhanging the mailbox.

I've been told that a new post office is not in Sandpoint's future because "it's population is not growing." But the Sandpoint area — with its ski lodge, large, clean lake and seasonal festivals — has been given national attention and is being touted as the new, great year-round destination resort in addition to being a great place to raise a family.

Certainly, the rural communities around the town are growing rapidly.

And like me, a large percentage of people in the outlying communities must do the majority of their business in Sandpoint, placing a continuing heavier usage on its post office.

I invite you to come stand in the lobby, watch the traffic outside and talk about these issues with the people waiting in line (which often extends into the lobby), and I believe you will have a clearer perspective of our needs.

KERRY E. LONGWELL

Sagle