POSTAL ISSUE

February 5, 2010 

TO THE CITIZENS OF CAPE CARTERET 

            In 2007, when I was going door to door campaigning, I asked everyone if there were any issues that needed to be addressed by the Town.  One response I received from a number of people had to do with postal problems. 

            After I was elected, I mentioned this issue in town hall and was given a file that had accumulated through three previous mayors.  A number of problems that had occurred, both residentially and in businesses, were documented.

             The U.S. Postal Service’s development of the zip code system was such a boon that over time all government bodies and all businesses in the United States began using the system to locate whoever or whatever they needed.

               This was a good and progressive thing to do, but with everything new, some problems do eventually surface.  For instance, we are “listed” as being in Onslow County, and this provides opportunity for error with numerous tax collections, insurance ratings, calls for jury duty, and many other personal items.  As an example of how it affects government, Carteret County has discovered that funds from Sales Tax distribution from the State are being sent to Onslow County and Swansboro, rather than Carteret County and Cedar Point, Cape Carteret and Peletier.

               Historically, the past mayors of Cape Carteret have attempted to get a post office in town.  Unfortunately, the Postal System is not building or leasing any new post offices, and they are actually consolidating and closing smaller post offices.

              Inasmuch as our problem is a zip code problem, we don’t actually need a new post office.  We have suggested two possible solutions to the Postal District Manager in Charlotte.  One is to add a zip code, with one number different, to the Swansboro Post Office and have it listed as a Carteret County zip code.  The second suggestion is to switch us to the Emerald Isle Post Office (a Carteret County zip code), and have our current mail carriers pick up their mail from there rather Swansboro to make their deliveries.

              The current situation is that the District Manager is sending someone to our area in March to check out possible solutions and to see how many people actually want something done.  I will pass this information on to Cedar Point, Peletier and Bogue.

              Of course, if we do get something done with a zip code change, it will be a slight, one-time inconvenience for all residents having to notify their correspondents.  The ultimate question is: do we as individuals have any problems, and if not, are we willing to help those who do? 

                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                Ron Harkless, Mayor