THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 1, 1995 TAG: 9504010361
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: STUMPY POINT LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Residents in this tiny fishing village on U.S. 264 once feared that their post office would be discarded like a handful of junk mail.
But under a plan unveiled this week by regional U.S. Postal Service officials, the white frame building that serves Stumpy Point, N.C., ZIP code 27978, will remain open.
``The Stumpy Point Post Office is alive and well,'' F.T. Southerland, regional manager of postal operations in Rocky Mount, told a group of concerned residents Thursday night. ``You'll still have your ZIP code, and you'll still have two hours of window service.''
Carolee Tillett is the current officer in charge of the office that many residents see as the ``identity'' of this community of about 200. On loan from the Manteo Post Office, Tillett sells stamps, dispenses packages, and provides other services from 10 a.m. to noon, Monday through Saturday.
Under the new plan, Tillett would be replaced by a rural carrier who serves the communities of Engelhard, Manns Harbor and Stumpy Point. The carrier would remain at the Stumpy Point facilities for two hours daily, providing the window service. Southerland said the plan would save the postal service $17,000 annually.
That portion of the plan does not sit well with townsfolk, who see Tillett as a ``member of the family.''
``She's adopted us just like we've adopted her,'' said Linda Wise Barbee. ``She cares about the people and what's going on in the community. We don't want to lose her.''
Tillett will remain with the postal service but no longer will make the 22-mile commute each way from Manteo to Stumpy Point.
Other key elements in the proposal include a renovation of the post office boxes at the facility. Postal patrons now use boxes secured by combination locks. The new boxes will be opened by a key.
The status of the Stumpy Point Post Office has been uncertain for nearly two years.
In April of last year, residents were told the fate would be decided within 30 days. That decision never came.
Postal officials say turnover and turmoil in regional and district management is the reason for the delay. The service has lost three operations managers and three district managers since the Stumpy Point facility was first mentioned as a candidate for closure under a postal reorganization plan.
``I realize you've been in limbo,'' Southerland told residents. ``I want to help get you out of that situation. You're going to get a service equal to what you're getting right now.''
Southerland cautioned that the plan still has to be approved by regional postal officials, as well as in Washington, D.C. The rural mail carrier may be in place in 60 days, but final approval of the proposal may take up to a year.
Southerland made an additional promise to the concerned citizens.
``If there are any changes in this, or it is rejected, no matter where I am in the Postal Service, I will come back here and tell you why it happened,'' Southerland said.
On the whole, residents of Stumpy Point seem pleased with the plan that will preserve a landmark for this 200-year-old town.
``I think they're going to be honest with us,'' Ben Barbee said. ``I don't think that's been the case in the past. I think we need to give them a chance.''
Asked about the importance of the little white frame building, Barbee said: ``I see tourists from Maryland and places coming down here, and getting their picture taken on the steps of the post office. If you haven't been to the post office, you haven't been here.'' ILLUSTRATION: Small town's post office won't be stamped out
[Color Photos]
PHOTOS BY ROBIE RAY
Carolee Tillett, officer in charge of the Stumpy Point Post Office,
raises the flag at the start of the day. Regional U.S. Postal
Service officials said this week that the white frame building that
serves ZIP code 27978 will remain open.
Whit Whitford chats with postal worker Carolee Tillett. Many
townspeople are upset she'll be leaving.
by CNB