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USPS targets seven post offices Meetings set to determine what public wants By D onna B arker dbarker@bcrnews.com
Residents of seven Bureau County communities will be asked what they want done with their post offices. The U.S. Postal Service has sent surveys to the residents of Buda, Bureau, Cherry, DePue, Seatonville, Sheffield and Wyanet to explain four options before them and to notify residents of upcoming public meetings on the proposed changes as part of the U.S. Postal Service’s Post Plan. As detailed on the U.S. Postal Service website, community post offices which are included the Post
Plan list are those offices with the lowest work load, the least amount of retail business and bringing in minimal revenue. According to Post Plan coordinator Ledell Car, the U.S. Postal Service is seeking community input through its survey to help determine the best course of action to provide postal services to the community. The first option is to keep the local post office open, but for fewer weekday hours. The hours in the affected communities would be reduced from eight hours each weekday to six hours each weekday. Current Saturday window service hours and access to mail boxes would not change.
The second option is to conduct a discontinuance study for the office and provide roadside mailbox delivery. Retail and delivery service would be provided through a rural carrier. Mail delivery points would be established or maintained, and customers can buy most postal services through the carrier or other alternate access point. The Post Plan would not affect those people currently receiving delivery service, the survey states. The third option is to conduct a discontinuance study for the office and find an alternative location operated by a contractor, usually at a local business. The establishment would be contracted through the U.S. Postal Service and would offer stamps and flat rate products, with generally more expansive service
Post offices Page 4
100 years: Bureau County Farm Bureau
Voters to weigh in on minimum wage Advisory question will be on the Nov. 4 ballot
Celebrating the past, present and future
By D onna B arker
By D onna B arker
dbarker@bcrnews.com
Illinois voters will have the opportunity to voice their opinion on whether the state should raise its minimum wage. Gov. Pat Quinn has signed House Bill 3814 which places an advisory question on the Nov. 4 ballot asking if the state’s minimum wage for those over the age of 18 should be raised to $10 by Jan. 1, 2015. Currently, Illinois’ minimum wage is $8.25. On Friday, Bureau County Clerk Kami Hieronymus said the advisory referendum is just a way for legislators to get public opinion on an issue. Another action would be required by the legislators to approve a minimum wage increase. The advisory referendum must be approved by a simple majority of the voters. If the advisory referendum would be approved, then the proponents of the increase would use that show of public support to further their argument for the reasons why the minimum wage should be increased, Hieronymus said. However, if the advisory
Wages Page 4
dbarker@bcrnews.com
BCR photo/Amelia Bystry
Celebrating in grand style in Spring Valley Anjali Patel gets into the Fourth of July spirit at the annual Fourth of July celebration, held at Hall High School in Spring Valley on Thursday evening. The event drew large numbers of spectators, eager to see the “rockets red glare, and the bombs bursting in air.”
PRINCETON — The Bureau County Farm Bureau is 100 years strong ... and counting. The year-long celebration of the Bureau County Farm Bureau began in January at the group’s 99th annual meeting, at which several past presidents of the group shared their memories. Several events are planned for the year as the local Farm Bureau celebrates its centennial year. Bureau County Farm Bureau manager Jill Frueh said the organization began 100 years ago with a meeting to inform farmers about important information for them. After that meeting, a group of farmers got together and decided to form a group, which started out in 1914 as the Bureau County Agriculture Improvement Association. The name of the group was changed in 1916 to Bureau County Farm Bureau. It’s an interesting bit of information that the Bureau County Farm Bureau is actually older than the Illinois Farm Bureau, which was formed in 1916, Frueh said.
100 years Page 4
Year 168 No. 80 One Section - 20 Pages
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