It’s home.
That’s the Governor Francis Farms mailbox we’re talking about – the one in the Namquid Drive rotary where for more than 35 years you could post a letter without having to get …
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It’s home.
That’s the Governor Francis Farms mailbox we’re talking about – the one in the Namquid Drive rotary where for more than 35 years you could post a letter without having to get out of your car.
In the last month the mailbox has made a short but circuitous trip. It was first moved to the corner of Spring Green Road and, as one resident who called the Beacon said, “put in ass-backwards, so you have to get out of your car.”
The location was deemed hazardous, as parked cars interfered with moving vehicles in the rotary. So the Warwick Post Office moved the box for a second time farther down Spring Green.
But that didn’t stop the complaints from pouring into City Hall, the post office, state offices and the Beacon. The box was not at the road’s edge and again required people to park and leave their cars.
Late last week Mayor Scott Avedisian said the box would be returned to its original location.
The word traveled quickly, and among those residents who contacted the Beacon was Marilyn Kilcline. In an email she credited Rep. Joseph McNamara with heeding community concerns and getting the beloved mailbox back to its rightful location.
“He was there to answer our calls,” Kilcline writes. She went on to point out that being able to post a letter without leaving the car is not only a convenience in inclement weather but also a benefit to elderly and the disabled.
McNamara said the mailbox generated at least 20 calls and dozens of emails, more feedback than virtually any other issue he has dealt with. Of those contacting him most were seniors or disabled.
“It’s an important community link,” he said.
Observing that the Farms is an aging community, he said many elderly don’t do their banking or pay their bills online. And, he believes having the convenience of a nearby drive-up mailbox is one of “those small things” that makes the Farms a community and serves to keep people in their homes.
“I realize it’s a small accommodation, but it’s a very important asset to the community,” he said.
McNamara also thinks a drive-up mailbox is an important accommodation for the elderly and disabled.
In interviews last week, Warwick Postmaster Brian Holt said the box was moved at the request of Warwick Police and police said the move was based on a traffic study that cars stopped in the rotary for the purposes of posting letters was impeding the flow of traffic. Police also removed the stop signs entering the rotary and replaced them with yield signs.
In response to all the calls, McNamara contacted Ward 1 Councilman Steven Colantuono, the mayor’s office, the police chief and even Congressman James Langevin, as the post office is federally controlled. He said Col. Stephen McCartney was especially attentive to the issue, and in particular reports of “near misses” when people parked on Spring Green, in some cases leaving their doors open while crossing the street to mail letters.
As for doing away with the yield signs and getting back the stop signs, McNamara said that’s a battle left for another day.
Yesterday, Charles Jones was one of the many neighborhood residents who pulled up to the box.
“It’s good to have it back,” he said.
SO CONVENIENT: Governor Francis Farms resident Charles Jones takes advantage of the drive-up mailbox on Namquid Drive circle.
4 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Justanidiot
I am glad that there is a post box that has easy access in a neighborhood that has been harboring known terrorists.
Thursday, November 19, 2015 Report this
Reality
Thanks to Rep McNamara for solving the problem. Councilman Colantuono like usual did nothing about it. Stevie was contacted and he didn't return phone calls and people had to fend for themselves. Time for Stevie to go.
Thursday, November 19, 2015 Report this
RISchadenfreude
THANK GOODNESS- now the fine people of Warwick can get on with their lives. This is the kind of nonsense that takes up space in the Beacon and that the elderly and shut-ins give a hoot about...sheesh.
The article shows that people are creating the hazards no matter where the box is- nitwits leaving their car door open on a busy thoroughfare and probably crossing without looking, resulting in "near misses". I'd like to see a list of accident reports due to the location of the mailbox over the years.
Justanidiot, they certainly have their priorities in order; so glad our elected representatives were so quick to act on this important issue.
Friday, November 20, 2015 Report this
Justanidiot
Go to the post office, or if you really want your letter to get through use e-mail or if it is a package, use FedEx.
Friday, November 20, 2015 Report this