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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Feeling the filaments: Famous mycologist wows SOU crowd A look back at so-called 'winter' Ashland's Firewise program adds seven more neighborhoods Council approves short-term rentals in multi-family zones Council wants changes to agreement with ODOT for I-5 welcome center Education Bracing for Common Core Ashland Kiwanis recognize Lillian Huang Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland Ashland Runs on Volunteers: OLLI classes pay dividends in joy of teaching, learning New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Environment Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Business Ashlander starts up a natural pet food supplement business Should workers be paid at least $15 an hour? Ride & Drive: 2016 Mazda CX-5 Cars We Remember: Car lover knows his 348/409 engines Business profile: Couple opens second Pita Pit in Ashland Politics and elections Council wants changes to agreement with ODOT for I-5 welcome center Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end State News Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Lawrence R. Hugo III Death Notices Gordon Geeseman William D. Enyart Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Baldrica sets pace for AHS girls SOU women's hoops coach Kennedy leaves to take Portland State job Brent St. Germain: Baseball’s intriguing teams Ashland High events postponed to today Chasing the career grand slam: 3 reasons Rory will win in Augusta, 3 reasons he won’t High school Baldrica sets pace for AHS girls Ashland High events postponed to today Upset-minded Raiders swept by No. 17 Concordia AHS softball team routs Churchill Four-year letterman Fredrickson leads sizzling Grizzlies Southern Oregon University Baldrica sets pace for AHS girls SOU women's hoops coach Kennedy leaves to take Portland State job SOU-OIT softball games moved to Wednesday Upset-minded Raiders swept by No. 17 Concordia Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Voices Latest Stories Editor's Notes: Ashland Community Hospital is on the mend — and then some Our View: Council should stop stalling on welcome center Our View: AIFF does Ashland proud Letters to the Editor, April 8 Our View: One tree vs. the Ashland community Editorial Our View: Council should stop stalling on welcome center Our View: AIFF does Ashland proud Our View: One tree vs. the Ashland community Our View: Ashland climate plan: Small steps add up Our View: More of the same at SOU? Letters Letters to the Editor, April 8 Letters to the Editor, April 7 Letters to the Editor, April 4 Letters to the Editor, April 1 Letters to the Editor, March 30 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Editor's Notes: Ashland Community Hospital is on the mend — and then some Council Corner: Why baseball and Guanajuato are important Chris Honoré: The enemy of my enemy is my … frenemy? Herb Rothschild: Stick to the facts Jeffrey Gillespie: Dancing the Pyongyang Polka Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Best Bets, April 9-16 Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival Community blog: Get a poem a day A Country Cajun Revival comes to the Unitarian Community blog: Poets, put on your party shoes Theater Ticket Availability Ticket availability in Ashland theaters, April 7 Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Music Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival The Farr Side: No Zayn Malik? One Direction stays the course A Country Cajun Revival comes to the Unitarian Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Visual Art More films, excitement than ever for AIFF Ashland's First Friday Art Walk Movies Movie Listings: April 10-16 'Furious 7' — buckle up for another great ride Movie review: Suspend all belief in reality — ‘Furious 7’ is just fun Movie review: The action is even more insane in ‘Furious 7’ Movie review: ‘While We’re Young’ is a thought-provoking comedy-drama Food and Drink Business profile: Couple opens second Pita Pit in Ashland Tot owners buy Playwright, hire Amuse chef Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Marketta Gregory: Be a generous mirror Movie Listings: April 10-16 Religion News: Court rules school’s yoga classes don’t violate religious freedom 'Furious 7' — buckle up for another great ride Feeling the filaments: Famous mycologist wows SOU crowd Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Editor's Notes: Ashland Community Hospital is on the mend — and then some ... Our View: Council should stop stalling on welcome center ... Council wants changes to agreement with ODOT for I-5 welcome center ... Editor's Notes: Ashland Community Hospital is on the mend — and then some ... Our View: Council should stop stalling on welcome center ... Council wants changes to agreement with ODOT for I-5 welcome center ... ASHLAND POST OFFICE 'Tis the season — to wait in line Some welcome the sometimes-lengthy opportunity to visit or check phone messages Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 5, 2014 at 7:03 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 5, 2014 at 7:03 PM » Social News Going to the Ashland post office is not an errand most people look forward to. The long lines, often stretching out the door, the small staff at the counter, often one or two clerks — all these inspire 10 or 15 minutes of conversation with line-mates or surfing the net on smart phones.   “The wait in line is ridiculous. Get more tellers. This is crazy hectic,” says Oona J. Meade.  “Usually, it’s one clerk here and that’s it. He’s very nice and efficient, but no one else comes out. I try to come here as infrequently as possible,” says Linda Katzen.  “I haven’t seen two clerks here in a long time. Lines were out the door many times. They should at least put up wanted posters for interesting reading. Why would they go postal? I’m the one who’s about to go postal!” Muriel Ames reports she sent a gift to California two weeks before Christmas last year and it arrived two weeks after Christmas — and that’s part of the reason the spread-out family agreed to stop shipping presents. Many other Ashlanders take it in stride, with one mom saying it’s a nice chance to get a break from her five children. Sylvia Massey says she just moved here from Weed and the post office lines there are much worse. “I’m very pleased with Ashland. I don’t mind a 20-minute wait for the good service you get here.” Lonnie Van Trump notes the staff is very helpful and knowledgeable but it’s “borderline” — the line of at least five customers, a wait of at least eight minutes and only one clerk who’s there all the time. The second clerk comes and goes. In addition, clerks take scheduled breaks, no matter how many are in line. “I always see long lines, but they do try to get people through as fast as possible, about 10 to 15 minutes,” says Eva Steiger. Ashland Postmaster Mark Christopherson says things are getting better. He just hired two new clerks, bringing that staff to six. To further grease the tracks, he suggests customers come at less busy times: 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Otherwise, you hit the lunch crowd and those getting off work. “Our goal is to serve every customer in under five minutes, with the ideal being three minutes," he said. "Of course now is the peak season and that’s going to be a real challenge but I think we’re handling the line fairly well.” When logjams happen, Christopherson and a supervisor often fill in on the front desk or, he says, will pull people out of line and tutor them on using the lobby machine that weighs and stamps parcels. “People still don’t understand it and are a little afraid of it,” he says. The public is little aware that, while the U.S. Postal Service is still part of the U.S. government, it is not subsidized by any taxes, he says. It may seem like they compete with UPS and FedEx, but they’re actually partners and help each other out, Christopherson adds, with the USPS often providing “last mile” service for remote spots, such as Green Springs, where they go every day. Prices among the three carriers are fairly similar, but with lines often shorter at private carriers, says Steve Barnard, owner of A Street Print and Parcel. “We’re not cheaper, but with Fed Ex, you get more service and we can do the heavier packages, mailed late, and get them there on Dec. 24 if you ship the day before. The post office can’t promise to get them there by Christmas after about Dec. 4 or 5," says Barnard.   “We’re an approved postal shipper. We’re very used to deadline stress and duress on holidays. We don’t get stressed by it. Sometimes we have lines, but we have two registers and can add a third. We process quickly.”  Email Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 5, 2014 at 7:03 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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