CORTEZ – As the Cortez post office prepares to close Friday, Oct. 22, some residents wonder why the U.S. Postal Service is sending them more than 5 miles to the Palma Sola Branch when there are much closer alternatives.
According to Google Maps last Friday at 3 p.m., it would have taken 11 minutes to drive the 5.6 miles from the Cortez post office to the Palma Sola Post Office at 115 75th St. W. in Bradenton.
To get to the Bradenton Beach Post Office at 116 Bridge St. at the same time of day, it would have taken 6 minutes to travel 1.3 miles.
Resident Mary Fulford Green suggested another approach. The Postal Service could rent the former fire station in Cortez at 4523 123rd St. Court W. for a post office. The building houses an apartment, a boatbuilding shop and a meeting room large enough for a post office, she said.
Other residents suggest home delivery in the historic commercial fishing village on the south side of Cortez Road. The north side of the road already has home delivery. Residents posted a sign asking neighbors to call U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R – Manatee) for help, and asked Manatee County Commissioners last week to write him for assistance, which they voted to do. Buchanan’s office did not respond to phone calls on the subject last week.
From The Sun’s Facebook page:
“I hate hearing this! And feel for my friends and Cortez neighbors.” – Marcelyn Beckner Harman
“Even if the U.S. Government self insures, they could have explained that instead of just deciding to close up shop.” – Connie VanderMarliere Morrow
“Sad, but progress changes things. Less mail, more online, etc.” – Penny Heinz Fischer
The post office closure began with an accident when the post office flagpole fell and hit a man who was injured and sued landlord John Banyas, who rents the space at 12112 44th Ave. W. to the Postal Service. Banyas also owns Cortez Bait and Seafood and two restaurants in the village.
Banyas told The Sun that he asked the Postal Service to add him to its insurance policy, but the agency refused, so when the lease ended on the small office in the strip center he decided not to renew it.
Banyas sued the Postal Service on Sept. 21 for eviction in Manatee County Court. On Oct. 6, the case was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa.
A flyer distributed to residents claims that the post office violated federal regulations by not providing adequate notice, a feasibility study, public comment and the right of appeal before announcing the closure.
U.S. Postal Service District Manager Stephen Hardin could not be reached for comment. The postal service does not comment on lease negotiations, corporate communications officer David Walton said.
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