Dear Editors,

                It was sad to see again the small business leaders and community reps of Port Huron, trying to cobble together solutions for the loss of the downtown Port Huron post office.  [Times Herald 02-11-08 article, “Post office explores options in downtown”] They’re meeting with post office officials because they know that diversified foot traffic downtown, “regular draw,” is already significantly missing—and the post office has been a mainstay.

                 Instead these leaders should be meeting with Acheson Ventures.  The U.S. Postal Service did not initiate or choose to have to move from their familiar spot on Military Street.  They were, to put it plainly, evicted.  Acheson had bought the property out from under them a few years back—and now won‘t renew their lease, with little explanation, except as reported last fall, that it doesn’t fit their business plans. 

                 The Times herald pointed the finger at U.S. Post Office officials in their 12-30-07 editorial, “Post office loss is another blow to Port Huron.”   But their 06-11-05 front page article subtitle on a proposed post office move stated it clearly, “Acheson not renewing lease for downtown Port Huron facility.”

  It’s most discouraging, that the Acheson Venture people, who have been in the vanguard of re-invigorating the Southside downtown Port Huron, should be so short-sighted in their own backyard.  They shoot their own project, and our downtown also, in the foot, if they persist in displacing the main post office.  We need a full service {including passports, money orders, and all size packages} post office at our city center.

A little parking problem can be solved with already available vacant lots.  That’s not why they’re moving.  It’s apparent that this Acheson acquired real estate is thought better suited for something {only potentially} more profitable, like river view condos.  But as Mr. Acheson has in other cases well demonstrated, multiple uses make the most vibrant downtown community. 

                 There’s probably no place south of the Military St. Bridge in downtown Port Huron that receives more daily business visits than our post office.  That’s much more valuable, to Acheson and the rest of us, than a beautiful view for a few.  Please call Acheson Ventures and ask them to reconsider.  Perhaps the main post office can be improved in its present location, but moving it out would be a big mistake.

Yours truly,

Michael McCarthy