GRANT COUNTY – Two post offices in Grant County could close under a review announced Tuesday, July 26, by the U.S. Postal Service.

Seneca and Kimberly are on the list of 41 offices in Oregon, most in rural areas where the volume of business is low. Others in the region include Ukiah, Harper, Paulina, Crane and Drewsey.

The USPS said it will study some 3,700 post offices, branches and stations across the nation for possible closure. Many will be replaced by “village post offices,” in which postal services are offered at local stores, libraries or government offices.

Longtime Seneca resident Doris Barott doesn’t feel that the post office there should be closed.

“Not only local people use it to send mail and packages, but travelers as well,” Barott said.

She added that it’s a stopping site for delivery drivers, vacationers and others to get directions and information on how to find people.

“It is more than a post office.’ It’s a gathering place for locals to help them stay connected with the community and each other,” she said.

Barott, who has had the same post office box in Seneca since 1950, said she doesn’t want a rural box because of the risk of theft.

“Not having one (a post office) would cause hardships for many people,” Barott said.

The agency called the change “right-sizing,” and said it reflects the fact that more customers are conducting their postal business online, on Smartphones and at shopping areas.

“The Postal Service of the future will be smaller, leaner and more competitive and it will continue to drive commerce, serve communities and deliver value,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe.