We have a thriving downtown that is the heart of our community. The key to keeping it strong is to locate the post office as close to the center of our downtown as possible. While none of the sites being consider meets this criteria, I think the 1.8 acres at the southwest corner of East Fourth Street and East Street (extended) is the most acceptable choice. I think this location will continue to bring more people through the downtown area than any of the other sites. The other sites make contact without the downtown business district too conveniently avoidable. I believe the other choices would largely contribute to causing our downtown area to whither and die.

I strongly believe the present location is the very best location because it is within walking distance to most of the other businesses. Walking from shop to shop, office to office, allows us to slow down and enjoy the uniqueness and friendliness of our community. It would be counterproductive to abandon an environment that fosters loyalty to our local merchants.

I think a better solution for Tonganoxie would be to have postal retail service remain at the present location and more shipping, receiving and distribution operations to the new location. This would keep our downtown business district centralized, while meeting the postal need for more space.

Karen Kellogg,

Tonganoxie.