Questioning Postal Plan | Video

Sarahbeth Ackerman | 2/7/2013

The U.S Postal Service says it wants to stop mail deliveries on Saturday, but the Congressional Delegation from North Dakota says, “Hold on just a minute.”

For Barnard Barden, opening up his mailbox and finding letters is just part of his daily routine. "So many people depend on it that we just need to keep it the way it is."

Senator John Hoeven would agree. After the United State Postal Service`s announcement that Saturday deliveries will be coming to an end this summer, Hoeven is now speaking out in favor of keeping six day delivery by outlining other ways to cut costs.　

"Last session, in the Senate, we passed legislation to give the post office more cost savings measures. For example, they will be able to continue Saturday services for at least two years and then determine whether they need to discontinue it," Hoeven said.

With Hoeven`s proposal, we could supposedly still get our mail delivered on Saturdays.

"If they can keep the delivery for packages, I don`t see why they can`t keep delivery for the mail too," said Barden.

People won`t be seeing actual letters in their mailboxes on Saturdays starting in August, but they will still be receiving packages and medications to their homes.

The reality is that the amount of actual letters being sent out continues to drop because people are using social media and email to communicate.

"It wouldn`t really affect me much because the only thing I do mail is bills and I can do that online most of time anyways," said Elizabeth Pistorino, Minot resident.

In the end, it all comes down to money. The Postal Service said by cutting Saturday delivery, it can save two billion dollars a year.

Hoeven hopes the House will approve his proposal this session.

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