Consolidation proposed for Kinston mail service

Kinston Mayor O.A. “Buddy Ritch” said he doesn’t want to see the city’s U.S. Postal Service mail operation consolidated with the service’s operation in Fayetteville.

“I don’t want to give anything up,” Ritch said.

The postal service just completed a feasibility study to determine whether it should consolidate mail processing operations in Kinston with Fayetteville. David Fields, district manager of the U.S. Postal Service, notified Ritch that the study concluded the mail operations in Kinston should be transferred to Fayetteville.

Fields is among several postal service officials scheduled to attend a public hearing at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Neuse Regional Library at 510 N. Queen St. to discuss the issue.

According to postal service spokeswoman Monica Robbs, the public hearing will allow the public to ask specific questions about the proposed consolidation. Robbs said the move would save the postal service $1.3 million annually.

Robbs said the postal service is still studying the issue to determine what impact the consolidation might have on the public. If the consolidation is implemented, Robbs said there likely wouldn’t be any job cuts in Kinston.

The 19 workers in Kinston potentially impacted by the consolidation could perform other duties, Robbs said.

“It seems strange to me that there wouldn’t be any job cuts,” Ritch said. “Where would they get the $1.3 millions savings from?”

Robbs said the cost savings would come through the elimination of duties currently duplicated in Kinston and Fayetteville.

Kinston’s outgoing mail would be processed at the postal service’s Fayetteville plant. It’s costing the postal service too much to keep both outgoing mail operations open, Robbs said.

The postal service’s mail volume has drastically dropped during the past several years and officials are looking for ways to cut costs while still providing quality service for customers, Robbs said.

If the consolidation is approved, Robbs said customers’ mail service in Kinston wouldn’t be impacted.

Chris Lavender can be reached at 252-559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.

If You Go:

What — Public Hearing on U.S. Postal Service feasibility study for Kinston mail operations

When — 6 p.m. Wednesday

Where — 510 N. Queen St. Neuse Regional Library