A recommendation to cut the Island’s post offices from eight to three, as proposed in the SAGE Commission report, has met with a mixed reaction from residents.

However, many were quick to object to the idea of ending home deliveries.

“No, no, no, no, no,” said 56-year-old Onslow Heyliger. “[Ending direct delivery is] stupid, that’s a stupid idea. What about the people who can’t get there? Not everybody has a bike. Not everybody has a car. What about the elderly, who rely on other people and other transportation? There has to be some form of delivery, somehow, especially for the seniors and elderly, for the people who can’t get there.”

Miles Brewer, 23, a graduate underwriter, was all for a more efficient post service, but questioned whether cutting home deliveries would be worth the savings.

“I don’t see why not [cut down to three post offices.] You’ve got to be more efficient, you know. It’s hard times. It’s not like people don’t come to the centre of the Island anyway. If the east and west end get a centre, I say it’s a good idea.”

But he wasn’t so keen on ending direct deliveries. He said: “It’s too inconvenient. I could see mail going out, but mail coming in? You’ve got to have a postal service, it’s like a garbage pickup, it’s necessary. It can’t be that expensive. I can see the other deficiencies with rent and gas and that type of stuff, that’s a much bigger expense than delivering it every day.”

Executive assistant Emily DaSilva, 60, said: “If they need to, they need to. If they need to cut costs for the budget when we’re desperate for money right now, that’s good. I think three post offices is sufficient, especially with what we have right now with the internet, electronic mail and all that. They don’t need a lot of locations. I think [ending direct delivery] would be kind of difficult, especially for people like senior citizens, handicapped people.”

Gloria Dill, 54, said she has read the report, but is having trouble imagining the suggestion’s logistics.

“I was trying to visualise the cluster boxes they talked about, and how that would work, but I really don’t have an opinion right now,” said the legal secretary. “I think they should still provide [the direct delivery] service. You have people who cant even get out of their homes for one reason or another, and I think that service is something that’s expected world wide, not just in Bermuda. To cut it completely, I think it’s a bit harsh.”

Sandra Moniz, 70, said: “I’m worried about the people that won’t have jobs after that, because I know what it’s like. My husband and I both are not working. So if you’ve got both parties not working, it is very hard. The bills have to be paid. Things have happened way before OBA came into power. He [Craig Cannonier] can’t just get it together in the matter of a year or two. It’s a long process, and you have to do things to get where you’re going. You have to start all over again. So if cutting that cost can help them start building up Bermuda again, I’m for it.

“[Ending direct delivery would make] people more healthier. Walking keeps the heart pumping. A lot of the elderly have families, why can’t their family pick it up? To me, it’s good for health to get people walking. I don’t have a problem walking because I always picked up my mail.”

Vernon Symonds, 73, said: “I don’t think they should cut them down to three. Cut down to about five or six of them.” The retiree also disagreed with ending home delivery, saying it would be a hassle for everybody.