Sandwich Towne rallies to save post office

by Chris Richards

For the second time in two years, Windsor’s Olde Sandwich Towne is fighting to keep one of its historical buildings from being shuttered.

Dozens of Windsor and Sandwich Towne residents gathered at the corner of Sandwich and Mill Streets Jan. 26 to protest the proposed closure of the local Canada Post office.

Built in 1906, the post office situated in the heart of Sandwich has been put on the chopping block by Canada Post.  Citing a decrease in retail sales, Canada Post made the announcement Jan. 15 alongside a declaration to cut 80 jobs at the Walker Road sorting station.

“Canada Post should be coming down to this community to walk the streets and see what this service means to us,” said NDP Windsor West MP Brian Masse. “And to meet with the men and women at the Walker Road (sorting station) and explain to this community how reducing services is going to improve their capacity.  It’s a sham.  It’s a sham.”

Masse, along with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers President Jeff Carroll and Ward 2 Counc. Ron Jones, addressed the crowd of supporters and questioned the logic behind the closure which Canada Post has deemed a business decision.

“If HMCS Hunter, with 140 jobs every day coming to the City of Windsor, coming to Sandwich Towne, and the (Canadian Port Authorities) are coming to Sandwich Towne, I ask the question, does anyone in that federal government talk to each other?  Shame,” said Jones.

Long-time Sandwich Towne resident and advocate Terrence Kennedy said the notion of closing the post office goes against the goals the government is trying to achieve in the neighbourhood.

“It’s stupidity and ignorance, that they’re going through this process again,” said Kennedy.

“The government keeps telling us they are making a foundation for business to thrive, not only in the west end but throughout the area.  It’s very sad that we have to keep going through this because if they’re making a foundation for us, don’t pull the rug out from under us by taking the post office,” he said.

Protest leaders encourage Windsor residents to voice their opinion about the impending closure on the Canada Post website.  Should the Sandwich location close, the next closest Canada Post retail outlet is two kilometres away on the corner of Campbell Avenue and Wyandotte Street.