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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
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Post Office Problems Topic of Community Meeting

Nov. 19, 2004 –– Recent problems with Coral Bay's postal service prompted the Coral Bay Community Council to request a public meeting with U.S. Postal Service officials and they will get it – 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the M&M Donkey Diner in Coral Bay.
While Coral Bay's problems are the focus, Sharon Coldren, Community Council president, said that postal problems extend to all of St. John.
Recent Coral Bay problems began about a month ago with the retirement of the contract carrier who delivered to mail boxes along the road and the two mail services in Coral Bay.
Service was sketchy for several weeks, but Coldren said the Postal Service has hired some contractors and uses one of its employees to make deliveries.
"The different individuals taking over the route don't have the information on where people are," Coldren said.
She said package delivery has been particularly problematic.
Coldren said she understands that package delivery to at least one of the two mail services located in Coral Bay is in jeopardy. This means people who pay to receive their mail will have to drive eight miles to Cruz Bay to pick up their packages at the post office. The problem is compounded by the fact that it is extremely difficult to find a parking space anywhere in Cruz Bay.
Coral Bay does not have a post office. The Postal Service several years ago sent a van out on a regular basis so residents could send their mail, but it was discontinued. At the time, postal officials said it didn't receive enough activity.
Some residents get their mail at the two mail services in Coral Bay, but others pick it up at boxes located along the main roads. Others trek to Cruz Bay to pick up their mail from the boxes located inside the post office.
The Coral Bay area is the fastest growing area on St. John. Numerous new houses are under construction, and businesses are springing up along the main roads. The need for improved postal services appears to be on the upswing.
"We need to make our expectations known," Coldren said.
She urged anyone with problems or ideas on how to improve the service to attend the meeting.
For more information, call the Community Council at 776-2099.
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