By Denae Brewer
Editor in Chief

Faced with staggering obstacles - diminished customer confidence because of the anthrax scare and a declining clientele due to the increase usage of e-mail - the Postal Service is clambering to stay afloat.

"We are faced with deficits all over," said John Vincenzi Manager of the Highbridge Station on Inwood Avenue. "This includes staffing. It's not only financial."

In an unprecedented move, the Postal Service has petitioned congress to help them insure mail delivery for at least the next 30 years. "Every American - no matter who no matter where - has a fundamental right to affordable, accessible mail service," said Postmaster General John E. Potter. "The Postal Service's current financial situation threatens the service that every one in this nation has relied on for more than 225 years."

Highbridge resident believe that the only way the Postal Service will survive is if they clean up their act.

"I've lived here for years, said Yvonne Simmons, a resident of Highbridge Gardens. "There's no reason why my mail should be in someone else's box."

In a meeting with two key Bronx Postal officials, Mr. Vicenzi and John Raciti, Manager of Customer Service Operations, the residents relayed stories of how disappointed they are with their mail delivery. "If it clearly says my name and apartment number, then the mail should go in my box," said Ms. Simmons "Do these carriers know how to read?" "I'm not going to make excuses for bad service," said Mr. Vincenzi. He added that in Highbridge, Postal officials are making every effort to improve services.

Due to community outrage over receiving their mail late-often after 7 p.m. - the Postal Service conducted a Counts and Inspection (C&I) report in January of 2001. The report proved residents' point-too few mail carriers for so many people. The 10452 zip code which includes Highbridge, received a postal overhaul. October saw the implementation of seven new routes bringing the total to twenty-five, affectively cutting a carrier's route in half. Using route eight as an example, Mr. Vincenzi explained how the route begins at Wilson Publishing on 162nd Street and now concludes just before 168th Street. Whereas before it used to extend pass the other side of the Edward L. Grant highway.

"Highbridge is very fortunate because it had the C&I done," said Mr. Vincenzi. "There are other areas in the same situation as Highbridge that haven't."

Residents are not concerned with other areas. "That's fine and dandy, but right now my mail is what's important to me," Ms. Simmons said.

Ms. Alverez, also a long-time Highbridge Gardens resident, agreed. "What concerns me most is the quality of our service."

Residents also complained about the lack of a postal substation nearby. A top priority for Highbridge residents for the past two years, Mr. Vincenzi explained the current financial stranglehold the Postal Service is in and the unlikelihood of a substation reinstatement at this time.

When questioned about the possibility of obtaining a mobile mail truck in the neighborhood - like the one parked across the street from the Bronx Supreme Court - Mr. Raciti said he would look into it. Emphasizing that there are only a handful of trucks in the fleet, he said some type of time-share system might be doable.

In the end, residents and Postal Officials were pleased with the outcome. "They listened to what we had to say," said Evelyn Frazier. "We can only pray that they take it to heart and make improvements."

Mr. Vincenzi is genuinely concerned with postal satisfaction. "I'm a customer too. I know exactly how it feels. Whenever there's problems with my mail, I expect solutions." When referring to the multitude of complaints about the mail service he added, "Can it be better? Yes absolutely. I'll try everything in my power to improve it."