A spokesman for the U-S Postal Service says it is no longer considering closing any rural post offices. Instead, the postal service is aiming to reduce expenses by shortening hours of over-the-counter retail services at many locations.

Among those affected will be the Spickard post office where patrons will deciding what time period during the day the face-to-face service will be available. Currently, that retail service is available for a four hour period. A public meeting to reveal survey results will be at 12 noon next Tuesday at the Spickard post office.

Rich Watkins is with U-S-P-S Corporate Communications for the Kansas City
district. He explained various options to reduce costs have been explored on behalf of 13 thousand small post offices across the country.

Because of public pressure, Watkins said the post office will continue to be operated six days a week. Watkins pointed out consumers are transacting business by purchasing stamps at locations other than the post office. Many also are choosing to pay their bills on-line.