SEELEY LAKE - The problem with the local US Post Office in Seeley Lake is that the current postmaster has installed a policy of returning any letters or packages that do not have a post office box number in the address. This is against the Montana postal policy of “local knowledge.”
“Local knowledge” means that the postmaster and postal clerks use reasonable effort to make sure that the mail is delivered to the appropriate box. Having spoken at length to the postmaster and not getting a satisfactory response, I asked, and received, the number to make an official complaint (1-800-ASK-USPS).
I issued the complaint Jan. 30. After two hours, a man named Jorge Martinez (605-333-2647) took the complaint. He said he’d immediately send an e-mail to our District Manager Diane Staderm (605-333-2646) and she would contact me and address my concerns. He also provided a case number: CA141611002
The district manager never returned my call, nor bothered to find out about the inquiry, but did call the Seeley Lake postmaster who told them that I had wanted information about confidential box numbers.
Feb. 11, I received a letter from USPS saying that post office box information was confidential and they were closing the case. After several calls, Jorge, Diane and I had a dialogue where I assured them many, many times that my inquiry had to do with local policy and not with clerks or box numbers. I reiterated several times that Seeley Lake residents wanted the same courtesy that is enjoyed by every other community in Montana and that would be the “local knowledge” policy.
If you would like to add your voice, call the numbers I’ve given and refer to the case number.
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