Iowa officials defend rural post offices; governor says class-action lawsuit should be considered

Here's the latest chapter in the story of rural communities fighting back to save their local post offices. Bill Shea of the Messenger News in Fort Dodge, Iowa, reports state officials have agreed to "ask Congress for a moratorium on future post office closures," and are even suggesting court action.

Lohrville Mayor Donny Hobbs, who led Saturday's meeting at Iowa Central Community College, said he will send moratorium requests to the National Governors Association and the Postal Regulatory Commission in addition to Congress, which he will ask "to consider changing the rules governing the Postal Service," Shea reports.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican who supports the moratorium request, suggested the group ask for a "blue ribbon commission" to examine the Postal Service and consider class-action lawsuits against it, Shea reports. Randolph Mayor Vance Trively, said residents of Randolph, Iowa, have already "pledged $10,000 to pay for a federal lawsuit against the Postal Service."

In Iowa, 70 post offices and a mail sorting facility in Fort Dodge could be closed, Shea reports. In Wyoming, at least six post offices are being considered for closure. For a story about one, in Cora, Wyo., click here.