Forest Hills Residents Complain Of Postal Problems

Congressman Anthony D. Weiner, who participated in a town meeting last December to deal with dirty Forest Hills streets, is on the offensive again. This time, he chaired a spirited gathering held on Sunday, Feb. 27, to answer complaints about postal service in the area. Joining Weiner on the podium was William Rogers, Postmaster of Flushing.
Everyone agreed that home deliveries fall off badly when the regular carrier is off. Nevertheless, mail is supposed to come within a two hour period each day.
About half of those present raised their hands to indicate that third class mailings came very late, causing them to miss sales, and even discounts on Broadway shows. "This is important to us," someone shouted. "Its not junk mail!"
Rogers said third class material should be out of the post office in 48 hours and promised to remedy the matter. "They dont have this in Elmhurst, Rego Park or Kew Gardens," he said. "Advertisers feel theyll get their moneys worth with mailings to Forest Hills."
Queens residents are proud of their individual neighborhoods and wonder why so much mail arrives labeled "Flushing." "I hear it a lot," Weiner said. "This is a problem close to my heart," Rogers said. "Years ago, all 113s were called Flushing." In a day of computers, they should be able to switch it back. Were working on this constantly."
Emotions ran high regarding conditions at the Forest Hills Post Office. Audience members said its dirty, clerks are unfriendly and there is no one to direct traffic. Lines are always very long, especially on Saturdays. The Stamp window is frequently closed and stamp machines are often out of the 33 cent ones or cant make proper change.
"Well make them keep the stamp window open longer," Rogers said. He is hiring two new clerks and, in the future, those who are at the windows will be selected on the basis of their ability to deal with the public. "I will have an area manager go into the Forest Hills branch every day, starting tomorrow," he said. "Im making it a point to be there, myself, once a week." Someone will field questions of those entering the building.
Weiner warned, "We must not look at the trees and miss the forest. We must make a good management review of the system." He is putting together a small action group to deal with both specific and general problems. "Were not going to have one meeting and forget about it," he promised.