[Durham INC] INC-list Digest, Vol 92, Issue 25

Wed Aug 22 10:43:00 EDT 2012

I'm not going to get in a back and forth about rural mailboxes in urban settings; however clear, legitimate and consistent requests across all neighborhoods to put out a rural mailbox in an urban setting doesn't bother me.  Personally I consider rural mailboxes visual clutter in older neighborhoods.  How clean my block of James St looks sans any rural mailboxes.  We are fortunate to have had the same mailman for the past 15 years who enjoys walking his route.  

In short, if you want a rural mailbox, put one up.  If USPS asks you too, and you want one, put one up. I like the idea that my mailman knows me, comes onto my front porch regularly, and would gladly call in any suspicious concerns he may see about my home (i.e broken glass, front door ajar when no one home, etc). 

Myers Sugg

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re:  Fwd: Postal Service delivery method swtich attempt
      (Marge Nordstrom)
   2.  Most City of Durham Offices Closed for Labor Day (Blalock, Amy)
   3. Re:  New from the Rev-elution (Golden Belt Historic District)

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Message: 1
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:50:54 -0400
From: "Marge Nordstrom" <mnordstrom at nc.rr.com>
To: <TheOcean1 at aol.com>,	<inc-list at durhaminc.org>
Subject: Re: [Durham INC] Fwd: Postal Service delivery method swtich
	attempt
Message-ID: <00b101cd7fc5$836101b0$8a230510$@rr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

When I moved here, December 2000, and changed my mailing address to Durham in January 2001, the USPS tried to "strong arm" me into installing a curb side mail box.  They sent me several nasty letters and then withheld my mail.  I fought them tooth and nail for weeks because I didn't think they could legally require this, and fortunately it still was a time when we had regular mail carriers.  Mine was a wonderful man named Eddie.  Between his efforts and mine, we kept my service at my door.  My huge concern was security.  I live up on a hill on Anderson Street at the corner of Elmwood, quite a distance from Anderson or from Elmwood.  I freaked at the thought of the security issues if I installed a rural type of mailbox on one of the curbs-i.e., no security whatsoever.  When I lived in the DC area, there were sets of secured mailboxes (I've seen these in subdivisions here too), and that was ok.  But the approach of unsecured rural mailboxes in an urban area was totally unacceptable, and still would be. 

In addition, this was my first interaction with a government agency in Durham.  Even though it wasn't local government, it was a really unpleasant "welcome" to the community, and one that I will never forget.  

Regards,

Marge Nordstrom

From: inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org [mailto:inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org] On Behalf Of TheOcean1 at aol.com
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 6:39 PM
To: inc-list at durhaminc.org
Subject: Re: [Durham INC] Fwd: Postal Service delivery method swtich attempt

Speaking as a Realtor, if you purchase a home in an older neighborhood that is porch delivery, then that's your mode of delivery.

Asking folks to change that would be fine, but tricking them into it isn't.

If you put up a rural mailbox in an urban neighborhood and leave it for 90 days, it becomes etched in stone as your mode of delivery... so it's not a decision to take lightly.

The USPS's own code dictates that such a change should be sweeping to avoid creating a zig zag route for the mailman. (Going from curb, to porch and back again, is not a time saving route)

Inner city neighborhoods are not suited to curb side boxes due to folks parking on the street in front of them. Mail inside curb side boxes isn't as secure as a box on the porch  -  unless you are out in the country.

Bottom line: Even if it was to the USPS's advantage to convert all delivery to curb side boxes, the choice is the citizen's to make. That should not occur because of a slyly worded letter ending in "do this by this date or we'll return your mail to the sender", which is what most of the other letters said.

Imagine yourself as the lower income new homeowner who has your hands full with all the details of a recent move. Purchasing and installing the curb side box is an unexpected expense in both time and money. It will be the most likely thing you'll hit with your car, and they look ridiculous in true urban settings.

Lastly, having visited with each incoming new Postmaster for years, all agree that this practice isn't fair, nor has it been approved by them.  They each committed to stopping it, and we should hold them to what they said they'd do.

Bill Anderson
REALTOR
(919) 282-8209 cell

www.FrankWardRealtors.com <http://www.frankwardrealtors.com/> 

(919) 688-5811 Office
(919) 688-2094 Fax
theOcean1 at aol.com 

In a message dated 8/20/2012 5:52:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, christinebbd at yahoo.com writes:

I realize this is a hot button subject for members of Durham INC.  I could use a refresher course on why installing mailboxes at the curb is such a terrible idea?  The postal service is trying to keep it's head above water, and at a time when all government offices are squeezing every last penny, is it such a bad thing to ask a community to go to curbside delivery?  

I've had a mailbox at the curb for 18 years, in east Durham.  My first home was near Southern High School and now I"m in Grove Park.  I don't see the mailboxes in my neighborhood as ugly, it's merely a utility of sorts.  There are green boxes for the phone/cable company, larger green boxes for the power company, and curbside mailboxes.  Many, if not all, of my neighbors have flowers, bushes, etc around their mailbox.

Is it simply "change" to something new that is the problem here?  Change can be a difficult thing.  

Christine Chamberlain

  _____  

From: "TheOcean1 at aol.com" <TheOcean1 at aol.com>
To: mike.e.king at usps.gov; inc-list at durhaminc.org; nathanegriffin at gmail.com
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 12:07 PM
Subject: [Durham INC] Fwd: Postal Service delivery method swtich attempt

 Mr King,  

Not so long ago we had our little pow wow regarding this unacceptable practice, and gained your commitment that it would stop.

As pointed out below, the problem seems to persist, but only in certain neighborhoods.

Is it the USPS policy or belief that folks in affluent neighborhoods deserve a different quality of postal service?

The fact that many East Durham streets are now peppered with rural mail boxes, (which look rather silly in an urban setting), indicates your Post Office is targeting neighborhoods of lower economic status. That elevates this practice well beyond "unacceptable", in fact even "Un-American" would likely be too kind.

Unsavory, unethical, unimaginable all come to mind - but perhaps "Criminal"
is most appropriate.

Since these employees are supposedly under your control, it's time you explained to the citizens of Durham how this "accident" continues on your watch.

Bill Anderson

  _____  

From: cpalenchar at hotmail.com
To: inc-list at durhaminc.org, nathanegriffin at gmail.com
Sent: 8/20/2012 10:07:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: [Durham INC] Postal Service delivery method swtich attempt

John/others-

I know INC has helped many people deal with this issue in the past. My new neighbor, Nathan, was just given this letter asking him to put a mailbox at the curb by our mail delivery person. How should he respond to this? (Nathan is on the To: of this email if you'd prefer to respond just to him on how to handle the issue.)

I remain completely frustrated that the post office is attempting these misleading tactics. And even more frustrated that they have been more successful in my community than in some of the more well connected, well organized communities. It seems unfair to take advantage of people who don't know better. But, that's another topic.

-chloe

=

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Message: 2
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:59:13 -0400
From: "Blalock, Amy" <Amy.Blalock at durhamnc.gov>
To: "Blalock, Amy" <Amy.Blalock at durhamnc.gov>
Subject: [Durham INC] Most City of Durham Offices Closed for Labor Day
Message-ID:
	<5DF632A1980EE94A895393F2DAC54B5907C88518 at EXCHANGE2K3.durham.local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

CITY OF DURHAM

Office of Public Affairs

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

News Release

News Media Contact:

Amy Blalock

Sr. Public Affairs Specialist

(919) 560-4123 x 11253

(919) 475-7735 (cell)

Amy.Blalock at DurhamNC.gov 

http://Facebook.com/CityofDurhamNC 

http://Twitter.com/CityofDurhamNC    

For Immediate Release: August 21, 2012

Most City of Durham Offices Closed for Labor Day 

Durham Residents Asked to Note Changes in Multiple City Services

DURHAM, N.C. - Most City of Durham offices will be closed Monday, September 3, 2012, in observance of Labor Day. 

Police, fire, and rescue services for life-threatening or in-progress emergencies may be reached by calling 911. Non-emergency problems or concerns may be directed to (919) 560-4600. 

The City will operate under normal business hours on Tuesday, September 4. The City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 4 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located on the first floor of City Hall at
101 City Hall Plaza. 

Residents are asked to take note of the following changes in other City services and programs.

Solid Waste, Recycling, Yard Waste, and Bulky Item Curbside Collections

The City's Solid Waste Management Department will be closed on Monday, September 3. Collection for all services, including solid waste, recycling, yard waste and bulky items, will be delayed by one business day for the remainder of the week. Collections for yard waste and bulky items on Friday, September 7 will instead occur on Monday, September 10.
For more information, visit
http://DurhamNC.gov/ich/op/swmd/Pages/HolidaySchedule.aspx.  

Waste Disposal and Recycling Center

The City's Waste Disposal and Recycling Center (Transfer Station) will be closed on Monday, September 3. It will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, September 4. For more information, visit http://DurhamNC.gov/ich/op/swmd/Pages/wr_transfer.aspx.  

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center

The City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center is normally closed on Mondays. It will open under its normal schedule on Saturday, September 1 and Tuesday, September4. For more information, visit 
http://DurhamNC.gov/ich/op/swmd/Pages/Hazardous-Waste.aspx.   

Durham Parks and Recreation

Durham Parks and Recreation will close its administrative office and all recreation centers on Monday, September 3. However, picnic shelters and sites with confirmed rentals will remain open. Recreation centers will operate under their normal schedules on Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2. City lakes will be open regular hours Friday through Monday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The administrative office will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, September 4. For more information, visit http://www.DPRPlayMore.org, "like" at http://www.Facebook.com/DurhamParksandRecreation, or call (919) 560-4355.

Durham Area Transit Authority

On Monday, September 3, Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) and DATA ACCESS will operate on its Sunday/Holiday schedule in which hourly service is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Bull City Connector will operate on its Saturday schedule in which service is provided every
20 minutes from 7:20 a.m. to midnight. DATA's administration office will be closed on Monday, September 3 and will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, September 4. For more information on DATA and DATA ACCESS, visit http://DATA.DurhamNC.gov or call (919) 485-RIDE. For more information on the Bull City Connector, visit http://www.BullCityConnector.org, "like" at http://www.Facebook.com/BullCityConnector, or "follow" at http://www.Twitter.com/BullCityConnect.

Durham One Call

Durham One Call will be closed on Monday, September 3. However, residents may complete an online service request by visiting the City's website at http://DurhamNC.gov/Pages/DOC.aspx, or by leaving a message at (919) 560-1200. Durham One Call will forward all requests for City services to the appropriate department the next business day. For information about the City's holiday schedule and other services that may be affected, residents should contact Durham One Call at (919)
560-1200 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit http://www.DurhamNC.gov. 

###

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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:02:50 -0400
From: Golden Belt Historic District
	<goldenbelt.historicdistrict at gmail.com>
To: Inter Neighborhood Council <inc-list at rtpnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Durham INC] New from the Rev-elution
Message-ID:
	<CALA_HoPohbp0SaV88KMbZ=M19k774kKQQdPtgkVJws2OpWQuhg at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I have to say how excited I am by all the BUS conversation in the last few weeks.

Please Understand my biases in working on a Bus Buddy program for Clean Energy Durham right now, but know that I am just saying my love for this city just keeps growing because it takes all kinds as.

As a community member familiar with the public transportation situation in this region and the rider and planned transit route changes that have been pointed out in this recent series of article by Carl Kenney, it concerns me that a valid point is being overlooked in that ridership is disproportionate to the social dynamic of Durham.
Especially considering how many people in this city are concerned with the environment and clean greener means of transportation I would think ridership would be considerably higher.

However I am certain others could speak to the current system and I would like to see the conversation go further in the direction of some coalition work that improves the social dynamics of transit systems and demonstrates comfort for all residents in Durham as viable alternative mode of transportation that would decrease our carbon footprint as a community working together.

Enclosed are 2 photos that always come to my mind and I am glad to have an opportunity to share them with my INC community. I would like to thank Carl, Darius and Christine for sharing their points, I can relate to all of the above the lack of  attention successful entrepreneurs of color receive, the concerns about rider safety and the system that focuses on the low income demographic for public transportation. I would like to discuss transit more.

*John, would it be possible to discuss this in the next meeting?
*Just 3 minutes or so to see if anyone is interested in offering support.
 --
DeDreana Freeman of the Golden Belt Historic District Durham N.C. 27701

On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 10:25 AM, Carl Kenney <revcwkii at hotmail.com> wrote:

>  This is part three of my series on riding the DATA.  My hope is that 
> this series will facilitate conversations that will improve DATA and 
> offer suggestions that will undo the rage felt by those who currently 
> ride.  I hope that those willing to comment will consider doing so on 
> my blog versus this listserve.  This is a matter of interest for 
> Durham and the INC, but please don't get stuck on the issue of race 
> and poverty. Ask, what would it take to inspire you to get on the bus.
>
> http://rev-elution.blogspot.com/2012/08/will-anyone-listen-to-pain-of-
> black-men.html
>
> _______________________________________________
> Durham INC Mailing List
> list at durham-inc.org
> http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
>
>
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End of INC-list Digest, Vol 92, Issue 25
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