| Jan 14, 2015


No one seems to have been officially informed, but a Canada Post official has confirmed that the Godfrey Post Office, which is housed at L.D. Powersports, will be closing at the end of business on Saturday.

Glen Baldock, who is now based in Belleville but until recently oversaw Canada Post services in Frontenac County, said that the Godfrey location is one of a number that are run under contract with the postmaster, who has their own lease agreement. Canada Post does not have a lease agreement.

“In the case of Godfrey, the postmaster applied for a position in Inverary, which was granted, and until we can make an alternate arrangement with someone else the outlet will close,” Baldock said

He added that Canada Post has decided to seek a new postmaster for the outlet, but did not know when a public call for proposals will come.

Doug Brown, who owns L.D. Powersports, said that although he has known that Dale Pigeon, the postmaster in Godfrey, had applied and been accepted for a position in Inverary, he had no idea that the outlet would be closing until he was told informally last week.

“I heard about it last Thursday and called Glen Baldock. I told him that LD was willing to let Canada Post have space for free, since they only pay minimal rent anyway, and he said that would be helpful, but I found him to be vague about everything else. I thought that at the very least there would be notice about this, but there has been none,” said Brown.

Brown added that Pigeon knew two months ago that she was going to Inverary, where she will have more hours, but Canada Post has not contacted him or anyone else about plans to find a new person, and he has his doubts that they are really serious about re-opening the outlet.

“Dale told me that the backup person, who runs the post office when she is sick or on vacation would be happy to fill in until a new contract can be worked out, but that does not seem to matter.” he said.

Even though Glen Baldock indicated that the closure of the Godfrey outlet is not, at least at this point, a permanent closure, he said that a communal box will be installed for those who receive their mail at the Godfrey Post Office.

At first glance, it would seem that the closure comes at least close to contravening item 13 of the Canada Post Service charter, which reads: “Where Canada Post plans to change delivery methods, Canada Post will communicate, either in person or in writing, with affected customers and communities at least one month in advance to explain decisions and explore options that address customer concerns.”

Central Frontenac Mayor Frances Smith was informed about the pending closure just two days ago, on Tuesday afternoon this week. She brought the matter forward at the Central Frontenac Council meeting late that same afternoon, and asked council members to get the word out and encourage people to call in to complain.

People who use the post office or have any concern about its pending closure are encouraged to phone the Canada Post complaints line. The number is 1-800-267-1177

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