Town Fights for Post Office

Neighbors in this tiny town in Evans County are fighting to save their post office, which first opened in 1890.

Daisy may have a population of 137, but everyone is vowing to fight to keep their office, which they say is the heart of the community.

"We haven't got a whole lot left in Daisy, but we do cherish our post office," said Town Council member Henry Morgan.

The U.S. Postal Service said they are trying to cut costs, and the Daisy office could be shut down as a result. Spokeswoman Nancy Ross said they can't keep operating without making changes.

"In the past few years because of technology and because of the decline in mail volume and walk in revenue, we have not been able to maintain what we need to maintain," said Ross.

On Tuesday, dozens of neighbors turned out for a meeting with USPS officials at the community center. They said it is difficult for those without a car or on a fixed income to go to claxton for mail service.

"We mail out 135-140 water bills every month," said Mayor Inman Brown, "So that means we've got to drive to Claxton to pick them up. That's a hardship on us. That's a hardship on the people."

"I grew up in this town, and I've lived long enough to see it move in at least 2 different buildings. I don't want to be living long enough to see it gone... and I hope I live a long time," said Morgan.

Postal officials said they are still looking into all the options.

"We're here to offer alternatives and to try to give them comfort, along with the facts about what we're doing and how we're studying ways to save money," said Ross.

But the folks in Daisy plan to fight for their post office till the end.

"We'll lose our identity. We'll dry up, sort of like they did with the railroad," said Brown.

Many of the neighbors said they don't want home delivery because they feel their mail is safer using a PO box.

Ross said the postal service is looking at many different factors as they study how best to cut costs, but she said officials have no choice but to do what they can to stop losing money.

She said any action would not take place for several months or possibly into next year.