MEEKER | This previous Saturday, Postmaster Beth Fox, welcomed me into the yet to be open post office and took me behind the counter for a tour of the facility that is one of the largest social hubs of Meeker. The bustle of staff sorting packages was in full swing as one may imagine, and though it looked chaotic, a good eye could see it was organized chaos at its best.
Beth Fox is Meeker’s new postmaster. She left supervisory positions in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to come to Meeker in August, 2022. | ADRIENNE WIX PHOTO
Fox took on the position of Meeker Postmaster this previous August leaving supervisor positions in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, when a previous coworker, current Craig postmaster, and friend tipped her off to the position opening. While she left a large family unit back in the Spokane Valley, Fox loves the Meeker community and does not plan to leave. It is easy to understand why. The previous facilities she was working in were serving vast communities undergoing continual, raging growth. When the Covid crisis hit it caused a huge influx to the postal system. As a supervisor Beth was working 14-18 hour days for more than two years. Moving to Meeker and taking charge of the post office here has been a much-needed change for Fox, despite still working nearly seven days a week.
When asked how the Meeker Post Office compares to the others she has worked in she admits that some things are done a bit differently here, although that doesn’t mean they are all bad or needed changing. Some practices have been altered to match protocol from office to office, allowing postal workers to move locations more seamlessly. Other systems unique to the Meeker office do make sense for our community and will stay.
Fox has a very open-door policy and bids anyone with concerns to please feel free to seek her out. With that being said, she is also adamant that her clerks and carriers be treated with respect. “It’s important to me that they are happy.” In past years the Meeker Post Office and its workers have been nearly constantly under fire with little empathy from the community on social media, despite the fact they, like most of the nation’s offices, were significantly understaffed and at one point didn’t even have a manager. Fox assured me that situation is not unique to Meeker, and said complaints have greatly decreased.
Please be kind to your carrier. In order for the USPS to be able to safely deliver your mail and packages, please take care of icy pathways and driveways. If the area is not safe to traverse, you’ll have to come to the post office to collect your packages. Please help USPS help you get your items! In addition, please clear a 30-foot area in front of your mailbox so the carrier can drive up to and away from your box to deliver your mail. | ADRIENNE WIX PHOTO
By ADRIENNE WIX – Special to the Herald Times
