About 350 people attended a town hall yesterday in Ypsilanti to address the U.S. Postal Service mail delivery issues in that area.
"First of all, let me extend my apologies to you, for the unacceptable service that has been rendered to you."
Ypsilanti's Postmaster Alicia Brownapologized to a mostly angry, but calm crowd at the Eagle Crest Marriott. One after another, residents lined up to voice their concerns before a panel that included post office representatives and local elected officials.
Resident Jamie Sheldon says, many times, he's had to wait up to four days to get mail delivered or has received someone else's mail, which makes him think that his mail is being delivered to another location. He's concerned about identity theft.
"Especially with the number of credit card applications that come through. That are just delivered. Sometimes, your name is on it," said Sheldon.
U.S. Post Office Detroit District Manager Lee Thompson explained what could be causing delivery issues.
"Employee availability, and it's not on the fault of the employees. I will tell you this. We have had some, where we have taken some hiring. That's taken us longer than usual to get people on board on hiring. It takes a good 45 days to do hiring," said Thompson.
Some of the solutions presented by the post office include route adjustments and having better communication within the post office to quickly address complaints.
U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, who hosted the event, says she plans to follow-up with the post office's promise to make improvements.
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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu
