POST OFFICE

Setting record straight on Dockton

It saddens me to read about the closing of the Burton Post Office. I would like to correct the record of historical record presented in the recent article about the Burton Post Office.

The Dockton Post Office was referenced, along with others, as having closed in the 1970s. This is incorrect. There were three post offices operating on Vashon Island until 1996.

The Dockton Post Office closed in 1996. It had been in uninterrupted operation since 1907. It closed in its 99th year. I owned the Dockton Store, and my company operated the post office until its closing. The reason for its closing was a lack of outgoing mail. My company had approximately 2,000 pieces of outgoing mail daily, and when I sold the company, it was with great sadness that I was forced to close the Post Office.

I would also like to correct the sign that is located in front of the Dockton Store, It is not on the National Historic Register. It is a King County Landmark. The only national register landmark in Dockton was the Old Dockton Hotel which collapsed a few years ago due to neglect.

— Priscilla O’Banion

A solution to Burton Post Office issue

To all people affected by the Burton Post Office:

If the main issue is the owner needing full-time access to the electrical panel in the building, could an electrician move the box somewhere he could access it 24/7? If the building owner won’t pay for it, I would be willing to chip in some money for the cost of moving it. I expect many others who have a post office box at Burton would be willing as well in order to save this post office. Otherwise, we may be driving up to Vashon to retrieve our mail.

— Georgianne Fiorini

PRAYER

Start the day with the psalms

Start your day by chanting the book of psalms and giving praise to the Lord our God, for he is kind and merciful! Benedictine morning prayer, at 6:30 to 7 a.m., every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at the Burton Community Church.

— Collin Medeiros