Miss Crankypants writes: “Last November the mayor of San Diego tried to close some branch libraries, including the cute little one on Governor Drive in University City. The residents of U.C. rallied to the library cause by writing their political leaders and bringing the media over to see some library-loving activists in front of the library. It was taken off the chopping block. A new youth services librarian was hired. Long overdue for a facelift, the library was painted and got new tile and carpet. “This August the Postmaster has named the cute little post office on Governor Drive as one of the ten to be possibly/probably closed in San Diego. ‘It’s déjà vu all over again,’ to quote Yogi Berra.” To answer Miss Crankypants’ concerns, we need only review why the University City library and post office were nominated by bureaucrats far removed from this tightly knit community. Somewhere in some cubicle in some government building, someone is asked to find ways to save money for the government unless it has to do with Wall Street or war, cash rewards for clunkers, a boon for folks who haven’t shown good judgment. Honestly, if a government bureaucrat were to look at the layout of South University as compared to North University City, neither the library nor the post office would be considered when it comes to closing a facility. The beautiful, large North University City library is just like that shiny golden retriever puppy you received on Christmas on your 10th birthday. It is big and it is new. Who wouldn’t love to visit a new library? On the other hand, the University Community library on Governor is still cute and little, but it is more the faithful, aging dog than shiny puppy. Now picture what it would be like to youngsters and seniors, without a car, leaving the safety net of South U.C. to head north on Genesee and east on Nobel to get to the library. For the experienced walkers and joggers, this route is not easy when you’re dodging speeding cars and maneuvering tough crosswalks. However, all a number-cruncher sees is that there are two libraries in the 92122 district. Close the old one, or to paraphrase the medical healthcare bill drawing angst and stress, take gramma off life support. North University City cannot claim a big, beautiful new post office the way the North U.C. library can claim a big, beautiful book facility with tons of parking. The North U.C. post office looks like an afterthought in my mind. Wedged in the corner of a building housing a high-fashion sunglass store and other retail outlets, this post office promises parking from hell in Costa Verde. Besides having the horrific hike up Genesee to get to the post office in Costa Verde across from UTC, an adult, child or senior would have to drive and experience the nightmare of parking, while in South U.C. people follow the dictates of the government by walking to the post office. If some folks drive, parking is easily available in the Marketplace Shopping Center, where Henry’s is the anchor store. Certainly the mayor of San Diego and the Postmaster cannot visit each community to feel the heartbeat, to learn about the neighborhood, to celebrate the family feeling familiar to the locals, but at least they should revisit their decisions after they hear from communities. South U.C. can thank Shelley Plumb, a woman who loves the cute little post office in South U.C., not just for herself but for the hundreds of seniors and children who go there. She has started a petition drive reminding people that although the snail mail has decreased, the closing of this post office would negatively impact the people in the community and make it a hardship for many. If you would like to sign Shelley’s petition, contact her at (858) 453-5967. Perhaps some federal government bureaucrat could explain to the citizens of South University City why the La Jolla Village Square post office isn’t suggested for closure. This tiny building, no bigger than a postal stamp, is hidden in the back of a retail center, hidden so far away that many people don’t know it exists. It has a 92037 ZIP code. Is that the reason the Postmaster hasn’t listed it among the 10 to be closed? Miss Crankypants relayed her hopes that the owners of The Marketplace on Governor Drive are rallying to the cause of keeping the post office in the shopping center. As it stands, the shopping center has lost so many businesses, beginning with the most popular pharmacy, U.C. Pharmacy, which left several years ago. Who would ever think the cute little post office could be victim to poor judgment on the part of the Postmaster and perhaps poor management on the part of the owners, but that is another story. Write a short letter to Tim Madden, Postmaster, 11251 Rancho Carmel Drive, San Diego, CA 92199-9998 and Dallas Keck, District Manager, at the same address. Tell them why you don’t want to close down our cute little post office on Governor. Be brief. Be polite. Copy Congressman Brian Bilbray, 462 Stevens Ave., No. 107, Solana Beach, CA 92075.
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