Dear readers,
First things first. We are grateful for your loyalty to this community’s 149-year-old newspaper.
Now, why didn’t you get your mailed edition of The Oglethorpe Echo last Thursday? Here’s the answer: The U.S. Postal Service goofed. Big time.
When the newspaper’s phone started ringing with we-didn’t-get-our-Echo complaints on Thursday morning, we launched an investigation.
The answer wasn’t easy to find.
Have you ever called the Athens post office on Olympic Drive? Hello, bureaucratic 706-369-3200 roadblock.
But you may ask, “What’s Athens got to do with it?”
Here’s the answer: The Postal Service mandated that all of Oglethorpe County’s mail must originate from Athens. Since mid-November, our local carriers must go to Olympic Drive to receive their daily batch of mail for delivery. Mail for the P.O. boxes must also pass through Athens.
Why?
Washington’s postal gurus thought it’d be more efficient and save money. So far, wrong. Even before last week, complaints have been at an all-time high.
Newspaper postage is up. Service is down.
This is the absolute worst service in my 52-year career and ownership involvement of 60-odd newspapers. I don’t blame our local postal personnel. They are eager to please. But they, too, are victims of this ill-fated change.
So, what happened last Thursday?
Your newspapers — delivered to Athens on Wednesday afternoon — weren’t sent to Oglethorpe County. Instead, they were shipped to Atlanta’s North Metro station and then had to be sent back.
I didn’t sleep Thursday night. At 4 a.m., I showered and headed to Olympic Drive.
As a rule, I try to avoid being rude and unreasonable. So, I had to talk to myself, all the way to Athens. Walking in the back door of the postal facility, I asked to see a supervisor.
A pleasant Robin Beavers introduced herself. She explained that the regular “dock guy” was on vacation. His temporary replacement sent last week’s The Echo to North Metro rather than have it sorted for Oglethorpe delivery. She was apologetic and gave me her cell number, if there was ever another problem.
“Where are our newspapers now?” I asked.
Beavers walked me to a row of postal bins, and I could see our familiar pink labels. I took a few photos.
You, our readers, depend on us to deliver your newspaper. And for 149 years, we’ve depended on the post office to deliver your copy of The Oglethorpe Echo.
I was back home by 6. I was not feeling better but not worse, yet.
And then I got a call. Many Oglethorpe carriers only got a portion — maybe half — of their usual numbers of the newspapers.
What?
I was determined to pierce the bureaucracy and talk to Olympic Drive’s top official. Yes, the postmaster has a direct line. Several times, I called but couldn’t leave a message. The voicemail box was full. I kept calling. Eventually, I spoke to the postmaster’s assistant, Keisa. She was pleasant, too.
Keeping my temper in check, I gave her an earful — twice. I kept calling and calling. No luck. Just before driving back to Olympic Drive, my phone rang at 4:01. Postmaster Michael Benevento introduced himself. He was unfamiliar with the fiasco. I gave him a “polite” earful, too.
As expected, the postmaster was defensive about the recent change. I get that. I also get this. He gave me his cell phone number and his personal email address. He didn’t make the mistake, but he took responsibility for his operations. We talked for a long time, and the postmaster urged me to call, text or email if I needed him.
I hope that I don’t have to call him in distress, again, but you can be certain I will, if necessary.
Here’s some good news in all this.
We are grateful. You really enjoy your newspaper.
One woman said, “The Echo is the best small newspaper in Georgia. I can’t wait until Thursday.”
Another caller laughed and said, “Today is ruined. My girlfriends and I usually get together to have a glass of wine while we read and discuss what’s in The Echo.”
Here’s a good-news reminder in this postal “crisis.”
As a subscriber, if you give us your email address, you’ll get a free electronic edition delivered on Wednesday. And if the post office doesn’t deliver on time, you don’t have to wait for your hometown news.
I like to say: “Wherever you go, The Oglethorpe Echo’s e-edition goes with you.”
So, there you have it.
I apologize for the delayed service, but you have my promise.
The Oglethorpe Echo will always be grateful for your loyalty, your patience and your understanding.
Thank you.
Dink NeSmith
Chairman
The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy Inc.