West Marin is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on earth, but there are prices to be paid for living in paradise. Beyond an escalating cost of living and severe housing limitations, we’re largely isolated, have few public services and lack even the most basic conveniences available in more populated areas. So when a beloved community hub that has continually linked us to the greater world since 1863 is suddenly taken away, it’s a big deal.
On March 3, with less than two weeks’ notice, Bolinas residents were shocked to learn that their post office would be closed and “temporarily” moved up Highway 1 to Olema, a 40-minute round-trip drive. There was no public process, no chance to explore alternatives and no information on how long the change would last. The reason was a lease dispute, which, reportedly, had been ongoing for more than a year.
Bolinas, the most populous community in West Marin, has limited home mail delivery, so most residents rely on their post office boxes. With no direct public transportation to Olema, some citizens simply couldn’t access their mail. Those able to drive there found long lines, diminished retail services and significantly delayed parcel and correspondence pickup.
Then things got worse. Within days, heavy rains flooded the Olema facility. Our mail was hastily rerouted to a makeshift pickup system in Stinson Beach. Public notice of the second move was late. Wait times for pickup continue to be oppressive.
Though residents of larger towns with broader civic and postal infrastructure are less impacted by cutbacks and closures at the United States Postal Service, rural citizens rely on hometown postal facilities as a lifeline for communication, livelihood, health, connection and fostering democracy.
Postal access for our most vulnerable citizens is especially critical. In Bolinas, our majority senior population has a median age of 65.1. More than 60 percent of residents get medications by mail. Villagers have reported trouble accessing not only medicine, but time-sensitive documents related to health care, pension benefits, government programs, financial information and more. Beyond inconvenience, there are legitimate public health considerations here.
We support our frontline postal workers, who are doing their best under difficult circumstances. But our postmaster and the U.S.P.S. management have been ineffective in handling this crisis and serving our needs. A communication void has caused confusion, chaos, anxiety and frustration.
With no viable relocation options in town, postal service funding challenges and trends in rural post office closures, residents fear that the 94924 post office may never return. So we swiftly took actions that reflect a high degree of community engagement, concern and consensus.
An online petition to save the Bolinas Post Office has gathered widespread attention and more than 1,500 signatures. Please read and sign it at www.change.org/SaveBolinasPostOffice.
The Bolinas Civic Group, an advocacy organization, hosted public meetings and polled residents to collect data and opinions. Local sentiments were clear: 90 percent of those surveyed believed the town hadn’t been given adequate warning or proper public process regarding the closure, 98 percent were concerned the change could become permanent and 99 percent said the post office is among the top public-sector priorities serving Bolinas.
A group of us have engaged regularly with elected officials, including Rep. Jared Huffman and Supervisor Dennis Rodoni, who have pledged their support. As grassroots lobbyists, we’re doing our best to navigate the complex, secretive and slow-moving U.S.P.S. bureaucracy to express urgency, explain challenges and represent community interests.
Our most immediate focus is to expedite a temporary postal facility in town while we work toward our ultimate goal of a permanent location. Disputes with the building owner, timing concerns and other uncertainties complicate a possible return of the facility to its former Brighton Avenue location. Our preferred interim solution is to house a facility in one or two portable structures placed in the Mesa Park parking lot, near the Bolinas firehouse.
The Mesa Park Board has already approved a proposal to explore a temporary facility on its site. The plan is supported by the Bolinas Community Public Utility District, the Bolinas Community Land Trust, the Bolinas Fire Protection District and the public at large.
The postal service was initially hesitant to embrace the Mesa Park idea, citing issues we believe can easily be resolved. To help overcome obstacles and convince postal officials, a local group of professionals with expertise in planning, architectural design and law convened to research available portable building options, site upgrade requirements, project scope, budget and grant opportunities. The group already has an interim site plan in place. If a more suitable temporary location becomes available, we can study it.
We will continue to do all we can to save this cornerstone of small-town life. There will be more meetings, updates and calls to action. A spirited Bolinas-style rally is planned for Saturday, May 20 at noon on Brighton Avenue.
Progress is being made, but slowly, and mostly out of public view. In truth, it will likely take continued public pressure, and more time than it should, to get even an interim post office back. A permanent new facility could take years. And nothing is guaranteed.
Meanwhile, every day without a post office, the people of Bolinas endure a brutal and unexpected takeaway. And our coastal paradise is a little bit less of a beautiful and connected place.
John Borg is a writer, designer and social entrepreneur who lives with his wife and family on a historic farmstead in Bolinas.