Mailboxes
November 6th, 2008 by 
Alica
There are people who are upset when their neighbors park in front of their mailboxes.
Other people are upset because the whole block’s worth of mailboxes is in front of their house.
People have been complaining to City Hall about this.
I called Brandon Postmaster Dennis Heilman, and this is what he told me:
The city doesn’t control where the boxes are located. The post office does.
Residents have mailboxes at the curb instead of on their houses because Brandon has rural delivery. We have that because that’s how it was originally set up. It’s not likely to ever change.
The older parts of town have a mailbox in front of each house because that’s the way it was done when those houses were built. In newer parts of town, the post office is requiring boxes to be grouped together. That is to save wear and tear on the post office vehicles and to make delivery easier for the carriers.
The post office would be happy if residents would put those fancy commercial mailbox things on the corners of the blocks. The post office never owns the boxes. The residents always own the boxes.
If someone has a problem with a neighbor parking in front of, or otherwise obstructing access to, their mailbox, they should call the police, not the post office.
Have you had troubles with your mailbox? What kind of troubles? If you had trouble with your neighbor, have you talked to him? Have you talked to the post office? The police?
If you’re on a block where the post office requires you to have your boxes grouped, did they tell you specifically where the boxes had to be? If not, can they be moved to a place where they aren’t near a driveway? Would it be possible to move them to the corner of the street?
The postmaster said it’s unlikely that Brandon will ever have walking mailmen. But I suspect Sioux Falls at one time was rural delivery too. Eventually it got so big things changed. Brandon is growing all the time. It’s estimated that within 20 years, it will be among the top five most populated cities in the state. Will we then still have rural delivery?
Would you even want a mailbox on your house instead of at your curb?
Posted in Uncategorized | 
November 6th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Personnally, I do have a group of mailboxes in front of my house and I do have some issues with that. When neighbors come to pick up there mail, they seem to have to bring their pets with them, and the pets like to urinate around the mailboxes leaving nice brown spots where I have been working hard to keep green. Also in all the years I have lived there, no one else ever seems to want to shovel snow away from the mailboxes so the delivery person can do his/her job. Also maintaining the appearance of the mailbox posts is another issue.. Personally, I will just let the wood rot and let the mailboxes lay on the ground except mine.The last time I talked to the post office, they told me the grouping of mailboxes was for the convenience of the postal delivery department..What ever happen to customer service in which we as customers pay for.. I can see the post office’s view if it where a voluntary process, but we pay for this service. And what ever happen to the post office’s “WE deliver in rain, snow, etc.”? As far as parking in front of the mailboxes… the police department told me a vehicle can be parked there for 24 hrs. then call the post office… Sounds like conflicting stories on that issue. Next best thing is I will get a post office box and take out the mailboxes and let the rest of the neighbors fend for themselves..
November 6th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I have had problems with neighbors parking in front of our mailboxes (4 on one post). Calling the police, having the police talk to the car owners, did not stop it. I’d rather everyone have their own mailbox. Plus a few weeks ago a neighborhood grade school kid kicked off one of the mailboxes for fun. I hate having them in my yard.
November 6th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
The following was posted as a comment connected to a mailbox story that was posted on brandoninfo.com a few days ago. Since it’s on topic, I’m copying it to this blog also.
Alica P. Thiele
Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:32 pm
I have a problem with my neighbor parking to close to my mail box and the Post Office always gives me notes truck to close for me to pull in and out safely. Why should I get the notes when the truck is parked closeer to my neighbor and Why do I have to wait for my mail cuz my neighbor just doesnt comply after notes and being asked to park further back so I can receive my Mail. Also I clear my drive ASAP when it snows then the plow comes areound and covers it and my mail access.. Frustraited with Mail boxes also
Posted by:car3t3
November 6th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
The following was posted as a comment connected to a mailbox story that was posted on brandoninfo.com a few days ago. Since it’s on topic, I’m copying it to this blog also. One thing I’d like to point out concerning the comment is that the post office recommends you call the police department if you have any problems with your neighbors obstructing your mailbox.
Alica P. Thiele
Wed Nov 05, 2008 8:17 am
You can call the postmaster to have your neighbors vehicle ticketed. I think it’s a $70.00 fine.
Posted by:pjgirl
November 6th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
To #1 and #2: How did the group of mailboxes come to be in front of your house? Did the post office tell you where the group had to be located? Did the neighbors get together and make a joint decision? If it’s permissable to move the group, perhaps someone on your block would be willing to take it off your hands.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
The group of mailboxes were there when I moved in the house and none of the neighbors want the responsibility either..Kinda like being “Hog Tied” while still paying for the service…
November 6th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
We built a house in Tallgrass in 2000. I just put my mailbox in front of the house - never did ask the post office where it should go. They never have said a word about it. I too long for the good old days when you got your mail and newspaper on your front porch. Nowadays you pay more but get less.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
In addition : the mailboxes (ACCORDING) to the postal service, can only be on one side of the street. So that takes two of the neighbors that share, out of the picture.
November 6th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
We have mailboxes on BOTH sides of our street. This is in newer developments of Brandon. Not sure about the older sections of town.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Before we moved to Tallgrass in 2000, we lived south of the elementary school and all mailboxes were on the same side of the street. On our street in Tallgrass, the mailboxes are on both sides of the street.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I live on Maureen Drive, which was built in 1978, and the mailboxes are on both sides of the street, and they are not grouped.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Everyone should be required to group the mailboxes together. It makes the neighborhood streets seem much less cluttered. Our mailbox is clustered on the other side of the street. All neighbors help keep it clear of snow. I have GREAT neighbors and live in great neighborhood.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I agree #12. It does look better and it is more efficient for the postal emmployees.
It seems very petty to me that neighbors can’t seem to get along to take care of something that is of benefit to them all (other above posters).
November 6th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Would someone please tell me what you are paying for? I do not ever remember getting billed for a mailbox… You pay 42 cents to mail a letter but I do not know of any other fee??? Please enlighten me.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:25 am
What do you think the 42 cents pay for ? Just the stamp?
November 7th, 2008 at 10:30 am
To #14. Simple. The price of postage goes up and the place of delivery gets farther from the house……
November 8th, 2008 at 11:41 am
The 4 mailboxes were already in my front yard when I bought the place. I’d love to make everyone have their own mailbox so that they aren’t walking on my lawn, and parking cars blocking all mailboxes, just one.
November 10th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I have a group of mailboxes, and I dont think its a big deal at all. You guys just want to complain about something.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:33 am
A comment was made that it looks nicer where 4 mailboxes are on every other property line on one side of the street. The available parking spaces would be increased. Imagine the increased efficiency of delivery and savings of gas. If all mailboxes were located this way it would give Brandon notoriety.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
This has got to be the stupidest thread I’ve ever seen. If you have time to worry about the mailboxes in front of your house you are in serious need of a life. I’ve got 4 in front of my house and between trimming during mowing season and blowing snow in the winter it probably takes 20 minutes cumulative throughout the year to get the job done. Not a big worry in the grand scheme of things. Nuf Said
November 10th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
The ease of maintaining the mailboxes to some extent may also be related to the age/health of the person who is to take care of them. I would think all of the owners of the mailboxes should chip in. It should NOT be left up solely to one individual.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
To #20: I am always looking for topic ideas to put on the blog. If you have an idea for a thread, please send it to apthiele@argusleader.com or call 331-2376. Thank you.
Alica P. Thiele
blog moderator
November 21st, 2008 at 10:02 am
I received a note from the city stating that my mailbox needs to be moved as it is not the required inches from the curb. I am OK with this. But….Why couldn’t his have been done when the weather was nicer? Or, better yet, why not 4 years ago when we placed it to begin with?
November 27th, 2008 at 8:35 am
To #3, how do you get the notes from the Post Office? Does the mail carrier get out of his truck and put the note in your mailbox? I just don’t get it…..Parking in front of a malibox is disrespectful to your neighbor, and does not show good use of judgement. As far as receiving a $70 fine, I would like to see the city ordinance that supports that, please. In my opinion it is the postal guys job to deliver your mail. And if that means he has to step out of his truck to do it, so be it. And for those of you who park in front of your neighbors mailbox, please be courteous….