It was recently announced the Rugby Post Office will, in fact, trim its office hours and move up daily collection, beginning the first week of April.

That decision, which came from the postal service’s regional office, is disappointing for a number of reasons.

One, why didn’t the public get more notification of these proposed changes in service?

Two, cutting back retail service hours and shortening the time when outgoing mail is gathered each weekday makes it less convenient for customers.

Three, the cuts in service send the message the post office is undervaluing its small town customers.

And four, it just begins that proverbial slipperly slope that other cuts in service could come down the road, including no Saturday service.

Keep in mind this decision was not a local one and Rugby postal employees share in customers’ disappointment.

And that’s what it is, disappointing.

Filing deadline approaches

There is less than a month until the filing deadline for local elections, and candidates interested in running for city and county offices as well as school board have just a few weeks to turn in petitions in order to be put on the ballot this June.

So far, a few residents have filed and there are others circulating petitions. It’s looking like there will be a few contested elections, and that’s promising.

Choices are good at the polls. Moreover, it reveals there are residents interested in serving in these important public service roles.

And those who step up to make this commitment should be applauded.

Well done RHS students!

Congratulations is in order for Rugby High School students who have spent the past several months planning and holding school and community activities relating to the DOT’s Click it Quick safe driving and seat belt use campaign. The school recently learned it won the DOT’s contest.

Auto crashes are the No. 1 cause of teen deaths in this state, and sadly that’s because many don’t buckle up.

Hopefully these efforts to promote safe driving won’t fall on deaf ears. Hats off to Rugby’s student council for making the safe driving campaign one of its pet projects this year.