Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 15, 1995 TAG: 9507170064
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, W.VA. LENGTH: Medium
Tim Snodgrass, a 10-year mail carrier, refused to serve Fred and Pat Grounds after they moved into a home for people with AIDS. They are the first and only residents at the home, which is run by a charity.
Snodgrass said he was afraid of cutting himself on the home's metal mail slot and becoming infected from envelopes or stamps the couple had licked.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta says there are no known cases of AIDS being spread through saliva.
Medical experts and officials from the letter carriers' union tried to reassure Snodgrass at a meeting Friday.
``We sat as long as Mr. Snodgrass wanted and answered every question. He was interested, took notes and tried to cover as much as possible,'' Postmaster Richard Esslinger said.
``At the end, he was instructed to deliver mail to this address. He made the personal decision not to do it.''
Esslinger would not say what other action could be taken. Postal Service sources said that Snodgrass eventually would be fired.
Snodgrass could not be reached for comment, and union officials did not return a telephone call.
Pat Grounds said she was disappointed that Snodgrass didn't get the message.
``His job was not what I was after. I was trying to raise AIDS awareness,'' Grounds said.
``I'm still worried that this person doesn't care and has no compassion. It's sad he has to lose his job because he's so ignorant. At the same time, he showed no concern for Fred and me.''
Esslinger said he is scheduling AIDS education classes for the entire postal force in Charleston. He said many employees had come to him in support of the Groundses.
``There's a group that talked to me about doing something for the Grounds family,'' he said. ``They're sad about the whole thing. I think we all are,'' he said.
by CNB