"Hoosiers" town fights for post office

NEW RICHMOND, Ind. (WLFI) - A little piece of Hollywood history in a rural Montgomery County town may see its demise. The town of New Richmond is fighting to keep its post office.

The office was put on a long list with other post offices the United States Postal Service (USPS) is looking at to decide whether it is worth keeping the small post offices.

A group from New Richmond has formed to make sure its post office stays. Some in the group said many businesses have come and gone in New Richmond, including a railroad. They believe if the post office closes, it's a death sentence for the small town.

NewsChannel 18 spoke to two veterans who live in New Richmond who said they depend on their medication coming in a timely manner through the mail. They said they are concerned if New Richmond loses its post office, it will take even more time to get their prescription medicine.

The USPS is proposing New Richmond would have to go to Waynetown, which is nearly 14 miles away to get its mail that can't be delivered to homes.

"I'm a contractor with the state, with INDOT. I have to send out stuff certified receive and return and get it back that way. That's going to take up a lot of my time going somewhere else to pick up my mail. Sign for it and pick it up," said New Richmond resident Chris Patterson.

Parts of the movie Hoosiers was filmed in New Richmond and many of its buildings, including the post office were included. In fact, the post office still has "Hickory, Indiana" on its window and residents said many people visit New Richmond just to have their picture taken next to the post office.

Residents said that is just one more reason not to close the rural post office.

The community is holding a meeting Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. at the New Richmond Fire Station. Anyone is welcome to attend. Organizers of the meeting said a representative from the Postal Service in Indianapolis is expected to be there.