By Tomas Gomez
Islander Reporter
A long-term solution for keeping the Cortez Post Office open is not signed, sealed or delivered.
But the village post office will operate at least through November, according to an Oct. 29 tweet from U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key.
The USPS previously announced the post office would close Oct. 22 at 4 p.m., relocating postal boxes from Cortez to the Palma Sola Post Office, 115 75th St. W., Bradenton.
The primary area that’s serviced by the Cortez Post Office, 12112 44th Ave. W., aka Cortez Road, does not receive home carrier delivery and residents on the south side of Cortez Road depend on the office to receive and send mail, as well as other postal services.
“I think it would be a great disservice to the community to let this come to pass,” Cortez resident Kaye Bell told The Islander Oct. 30 when asked about the possible closure of the post office. She’s president of the Cortez Cultural Center.
“Many people here do not drive,” she continued. “They walk or ride their bikes. They’re going to be in a hard place if this happens. Everything should be done to maintain this post office locally.”
Buchanan stepped up to keep the post office open past an Oct. 22 eviction date and then to keep the facility open at least through November.
He wrote to USPS Suncoast District consumer affairs manager Brett Hunter Oct. 8, expressing concern over a notice of eviction filed at the location.
The dispute over the lease between the USPS and John Banyas, owner of the strip shopping center that houses the post office, played out in court. The lawsuit culminated in a court-approved eviction.
Buchanan is optimistic about the office securing a new long-term lease.
He tweeted Oct. 29, “BREAKING: The Cortez post office will now remain open through November. I have been assured that the Postal Service remains optimistic about finding a long-term lease agreement.”
Earlier in the day, he tweeted, “I will continue to do everything in my power to keep the post office open for my constituents in Cortez Village.”
David Walton of the USPS corporate communications office declined to comment on the record during a phone call Oct. 29.