Three of Binghamton's post offices are on the chopping block as part of the postal service's effort to streamline its system following significant drops in revenue. As our Janelle Burrell tells us, those who live in the community say the Postal Service should look elsewhere.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- For many, the post office is an anchor in a community and for many in Binghamton, its proximity is key.

"The neighborhood is a walking neighborhood. There's a lot of elderly and I think their needs need to be considered," said Carole Hillis who lives on the city's east side.

Hillis was one of a several Binghamton residents who came out to voice their opposition to postal officials at their hearings on the proposed closure of the Westview, Southview and Eastview post offices. The proposed closures are an attempt to streamline and cut costs.

"As the shape of how people access mail changes, we need to take a very sobering and a very serious look at how we provide those services to our community," said Maureen Marion, a USPS representative.

According the USPS, since 2001 the volume of first class mail has dropped 40 percent, it's dropped 30 percent since 2006. And they say the trend doesn't appear to be reversing.

"We're self supporting. So we don't have a buffer, we don't have a fallback on our local tax dollars," Marion explained. "It's all about the stamps."

But if any of the three stations were to close, many believe it would likely mean added traffic at the already busy main Post Office on Henry Street.

"The lines are out the door," said Patricia Walsh works at the main station.

"They get to me and they're like 'I've been in line 20 minutes and now you're going to get all that foot traffic, it's going to be very hard," Walsh said.

"And that's the feedback we need to hear. That's what we're here to do," Marion responded. "We need that feedback so that their staffing is appropriate to meet that need."

Officials say it's not certain any of the stations will close. They'll use the comments they received to help in their decision.