TIFTON — The Irwinville community is highly concerned for the future of their local post office since the U.S. Postal Service recently proposed for it to be closed, says Dee Brown, who has been working with Irwinville Peanut and Grain for approximately four years.

Brown said representatives with the U.S. Postal Service will be in Irwinville at 6:30 tonight at Irwinville Community Center to give the community a chance to explain why their post office should be allowed to stay open.

“We need everyone there to make a big impact,” Brown advised.

Brown said that due to the post office not having a postmaster, it is on the chopping block to be closed. She advised that the last postmaster retired in 2009 and currently, the post office only has an officer in charge.

“They’re trying to close all post offices that do not have a postmaster, even though we do more revenue,” Brown said. “The first of June is when we began to hear that the post office was going to be closed.”

Brown advised that the postal service sent out surveys to be sent back to them to determine if the post office should continue to stay open. She said Sammy Reese is a retired postmaster from north Georgia who is dedicated to helping to keep small post offices open. Brown said he has been very helpful in advising the post office.

Also, Brown noted that a local committee has been organized to keep the post office open. Jackie Benson heads it. A meeting was held June 16 to advise the Irwinville community of what they could do to let U.S. senators and representatives know what is going on to see help in any way, Brown said.

“We want our little post office to stay open,” Brown stated. “We need it. It’s going to take the people to keep it open. People who don’t live here, use us.”

Brown stated that if the post office is closed down, this will put a lot of strain on the people, businesses and especially, the elderly in Irwinville. She said it’s also a financial burden for those who will have to travel out of town.

Brown also advised that Irwinville Peanut and Grain is located near the post office and it, as well as several other businesses who use the post office, will have to change their mailing addresses, which could be a financial burden as well.

“We service a lot of people all over south Georgia, as well as farmers, and we’re proud to service them,” Brown said. “The post office is a big help, not just for businesses, but for the people in this community and for the elderly. It’s history. There’s been a postal service here ever since the early 1800s.”

Brown once again strongly advised that all supporters should come to the meeting tonight for the sake of keeping their hometown post office open for all those who depend on it and appreciate the service it provides.