APP article on Smith-led letter to U.S. Postmaster General'Jackson wants another post office to alleviate overcrowding'

By Joe Strupp Published August 19, 2026, 5:16 a.m. ET JACKSON – Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet will keep this town from wanting not one but two post offices. Claiming one post office in town is not enough to serve a growing population, township officials and several state legislators are urging the federal government to add a second postal site to the community. Calling the current situation “a crisis," a letter to the U.S. Postmaster went out calling for the addition. “This urgent request comes directly in response to the overwhelming concerns voiced by our constituents,” several officials said in an Aug. 7 letter to U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner. “The residents and businesses of Jackson have repeatedly expressed grave concerns over deteriorating service conditions, unsafe access, excessive wait times and the inability of the current postal facility to adequately serve its residents.” The letter, signed by Mayor Jennifer Kuhn, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, Assembly Members Robert Clifton and Alex Sauickie, and state Senator Owen Henry, demands a meeting with federal officials to find a solution. At issue is the township’s lone postal facility at 915 Bennett Mills Road, which they contend is too small to serve a community that stretches across 100 square miles and a population that has more than doubled since 1980 to nearly 61,000. It's not unusual for the line to stream out the door at Jackson Township's only post office on Bennett Mills Road, say officials who want a second postal site to be opened. Joe Strupp “This growth has been accompanied by continued residential and commercial development, significantly increasing the demand for postal service,” the letter said. Located near West County Line Road, the postal site is in the far northeast corner of the community close to the Howell Township line and up to 20 minutes by car from some parts of Jackson. A second post office had been in operation at 520 West Veterans Highway in the past but closed in 2012 due to “lease issues.” “The residents of Jackson Township deserve a postal system that reflects the size, growth and needs of their community,” the letter said. Postal customers who spoke outside of the Bennett Mills Road site agreed. “It is too crowded,” said Paul Nix, a 50-year Jackson resident. “It makes it difficult when you have to wait. It would be a lot easier if we had another place.” Jackson Mayor Jennifer Kuhn outside of the township's lone post office on Bennett Mills Road. She and other officials are urging the federal government to expand it and open a second location. Joe Strupp Judy Koppel, a 28-year resident, echoed that view. “Heck yeah,” she said when asked if the post office was too crowded. “There are too many long lines. Sometimes I go to Howell because it is easier.” She also said it takes her up to 15 minutes to drive from her home on Jackson’s southern end: “It is really too difficult.” Steve Olsen pointed out that the post office gets crowded because it is one of the few in the area that also provides passports. “A lot of people get passports and that takes the clerks away from helping us,” said Olsen, a 16-year resident. “You also can’t find parking. It’s very difficult.” Amy Gibbs, a spokesperson for the United States Postal Service, said via email that the agency “is aware of the concerns from the community. Regarding the letter, we will respond directly to elected officials.” Kuhn said she has yet to hear back from the federal government about the township concerns and the letter. This article was published on August 19, 2026 and can be found online at: https://www.app.com/story/news/local/2026/08/19/jackson-officials-demanding-a-second-post-office-as-population-grows/91342349007/