Congressional support, petitions boost new efforts to keep Portland Post Office

Both Missouri U.S. senators and the area's congressman are supporting an effort to keep the Portland Post Office open. The congressional support comes after more than 200 people have signed a petition circulating in the Portland area opposing the proposed closing of the post office.

Terry Rehma, who has a farm near Portland, said it is still possible for interested residents to sign the petition asking the U.S. Postal Service to keep the Portland post office open.

"We plan to turn the petition in to the Postal Service before Dec. 11. That will be the end of a 60-day waiting period for the Postal Service to evaluate public response to their proposal," Rehma said.

"The Postal Service is not expected to make a decision on closing the office until after the first of the year," Rehma said.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.