St. James community outraged over postal service layoffs

ST. JAMES, NC (WWAY) — A family of beloved mail carriers in St. James are losing their jobs after a decade of delivering the mail. Folks in the community are outraged.
They have started collecting signatures, trying to save the jobs of their local mail carriers. More than 300 people have already signed on.

Residents say they have gotten to know the Renkins personally over the years and have grown to care for them. Patsy, Bobby, and their son Bobby Jr. signed a contract with the postal service to deliver mail on two routes in St. James. It started in March 2008 and isn’t supposed to expire until March 2012.

But, in October, the Renkins received letters telling them they would be terminated December 31.

“It’s just wrong. It really is wrong, and the community that is being served by these people is standing up and saying wait a minute,” says St. James resident, Barry Ryan. “Something’s gotta be done about this.”

St. James residents say the Renkins were very dependable and were always friendly when delivering the mail. Community members are still asking to sign the petition, hoping something can be done about this situation. Letters have also been sent to U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre in hopes of rallying more help.