By Eleni Himaras, Staff Writer

Patrons of the Westlake Post Office may not have to wait in line there anymore. It’s on the list of about 700 offices that the United States Postal Service is reviewing for closure. 

“As you are aware, financial problems in our economy have been felt by the Postal Service as well in the past year,” said local USPS spokesperson Sam Bolen. “Our goal is to cut $5.9 billion in costs while maintaining service with improved efficiencies of our operations. We have had a significant loss of revenue and mail volume and are reviewing every facet of our operation.  No decision about the closing of any post office has been determined at this time.”

He would not comment on a possible time line for closure or even what the procedure and justifications for closure of specific offices might be. 

In addition to the Westlake office, those located at 3575 Far West Blvd., 1914 East Sixth St. and 8557 Research Boulevard are also up for review. If the Westlake office were to close, patrons would have to drive to the location on Spring Lane, off Exposition Boulevard, or the downtown office on 17th Street. 

“There are lines out the door, and its always understaffed,” said post office customer Susan York, who now only uses the automated post machine because of the lines. “They need to double the size of it.”

She said she’d be fine with the postal service raising postage rates in lieu of shutting down offices.

“That’s really a shame, it’s very convenient,” said Jeremiah McElroy, another frequent patron of the office that opened in 1995. “But hey, if they have to scale back, they have to scale back.”

Nearby resident John Sablatura was surprised the Westlake office made the list. 

“I figured this would be a high-use, high-dollar location,” he said. 

In 2008, the USPS had an operating loss of $2.8 billion, as compared to a $5.3 billion loss in 2007. Even with two price increases in 2007 and 2008, the fact that the USPS delivered 9.5 less billion pieces meant a drop in revenue. The budget was hit even harder because of the spike in gasoline prices over the past few years, forcing the postal service to spend 11.1 percent more on transportation in 2008 than 2007. 

“A financially healthy Postal Service is dependent upon a healthy U.S. economy,” a statement on the USPS Web site said. “Retail sales, employment and investment spending are all significant indicators of mail demand. All three of these indicators are projected to significantly decrease in 2009.”

In addition to the potential closing of 700 offices, the USPS has already shut down six major district offices and offered early retirement opportunities to about 25 percent, or 150,000 members, of its staff. 

“These changes, while dramatic to the Postal Service and its employees, will not adversely affect customer service, mail delivery, Post Office operations or ZIP codes,” the USPS.gov frequently-asked-questions section reads. 

The manager of the Westlake Post Office declined to comment, citing USPS rules about speaking with the media.