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USPS plans
new facility
at Amissville
By Galen C. McBride
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
The U.S. Postal Service is “committed 100 percent” to get a new post office under construction in Amissville this year, according to USPS Administrative Services Manager Richard Thompson.
Thompson and USPS real estate specialist Clayton Redmond met with more than 50 members of the community at the Amissville Fire House last Thursday night to discuss the post office’s proposed relocation. Thompson stated that USPS’s “first priority” is to keep the post office in Amissville. With its limited parking and shortage of mailboxes, the present facility is too small to accommodate residents’ needs.
Emiel Smet, chairman of the Amissville Community Preservation Committee, presented offers of six village properties for USPS consideration. Jackson District Supervisor Ron Frazier, Rappahannock County Administrator John McCarthy, and Karen Foster of Congressman Frank Wolfs office also attended.
Smet and Bob Lindquist, a committee member, presented an overview of the village’s history and its residents’ dependence on the post office. One of only five villages in the county, Amissville was established in 1810. The post office opened the same year and is an integral part of the community.
Moving the post office out of Amissville, said Lindquist, would “subvert the county’s comprehensive plan and rip the heart out of the village.” Though agreeing that Amissville “desperately needs a larger post office with adequate parking,” Lindquist vigorously opposed the idea of moving the facility.
A year ago, Redmond’s office advertised for suitable relocation sites. Four bids were received, three from Culpeper County and one from Rappahannock. Only two of the Culpeper sites, including Jim Epstein’s new development at Clevenger’s Corner, met basic zoning requirements.
Post offices in Castleton, Woodville, Chester Gap and Huntly have been closed. The potential loss of yet another post office galvanized the Rappahannock Board of Supervisors to take action. Frazier contacted the USPS, Senator John Warner’s office and Wolf’s office for assistance. Smet and his committee obtained more than 350 signatures on petitions and wrote numerous letters supporting a post office in Amissville.
Smet’s committee’s efforts resulted in six properties being identified as suitable sites for a post office within a mile of the village center. He presented a list of the properties and their owners to Thompson before the meeting. “I've spoken to every one and they are willing to
See USPS, Page A7
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