Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mail Delivery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
White Salmon mayor urges federal fix for unequal home mail delivery, citing equity and health concerns
Summary
Mayor Marla Keethler told the council that many residents within White Salmon’s original city limits still lack residential mail delivery, forcing reliance on paid PO boxes and risking delayed ballots and medications; the city is pressing federal officials for a solution by the end of 2027.
Mayor Marla Keethler said at the March 18 White Salmon City Council meeting that many residents in the city’s original limits do not receive residential mail service and continue to rely on paid post-office boxes, creating an equity concern.
Keethler said the city has pursued solutions including a contract delivery route during the pandemic and used ARPA funds to purchase cluster mailboxes, but that federal postal policy ultimately controls home delivery. “Residents wishing to advocate on the issue should direct their comments to the United States Postal Service at the national level and to the offices of Senators Murray and Cantwell,” Keethler said.
Keethler warned that the lack of home delivery affects household finances and voting access in Washington’s vote-by-mail system, and that delays in mailed medications can present health risks. She said the city is seeking a federal solution and expects to press for a resolution by the end of 2027. If the city secures a no-fee delivery solution, Keethler said staff will return to council with options for surplusing the cluster boxes purchased with ARPA funds and reusing those funds consistent with their original public-health purpose.
Council did not vote on the matter at the meeting; Keethler asked residents to direct advocacy to the U.S. Postal Service and congressional offices while staff continues negotiations and outreach.
