Etzikom post office one step closer to shutting down

By Jamie Rieger
The Etzikom post office is one step closer to shutting down, following a visit to the County of Forty Mile council by Canada Post at their regular board meeting on March 23.
Jill Broderson, who is based in Drumheller and oversees rural southeast Alberta, told council that they may be looking at permanent closure of the facility in the near future.
“Job postings (for a postmaster) were sent out to everybody within about a 50 km radius and was posted for six weeks,” said Broderson, adding that there were no local applicants for the position.
Coun. Ron Harty asked how this would affect the residents of the area.
“In these kinds of cases, we have options, such as transfer signature items to Orion,” Broderson. “As long as there is a store in Orion, we will be there. Canada Post does not like closing offices, but when we end up in situations like this, we may not have any choice.”
County administrator, Dale Brown asked if this was the final step in the process.
Broderson responded, “Yes.”
She encouraged council to get a hold of her if there are any changes to the situation.