Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Pelly Bay (Oct 03/05) - Residents in Kugaaruk won't be able to pick up their mail at the hamlet office any more.

In fact, for the near future, they'll only be able to get their mail once a week during a five-hour period at the airport.

"That's horrible," said John Ningark Sr. "I'm in and out of the post office every other day. I may not be able to pay my bills on time now."

"It's going back to 50 years ago," said Leona Irkaluknaluk. "People need their old age pension and child tax credit. Plus things that you have to order that you can't get at the Co-op. Older people can't get to the airport."

"It is going to hurt some people," said David Illuitok. "I'll have to get used to it."

The move came after the hamlet's senior administration officer closed down the post office that was located in the hamlet building.

"I have a lands officer that is working in a hallway. We need the space," said Elwood Johnston.

The move isn't a spur of the moment one, he said.

"We first contacted them in October 2004, and we have given them six extensions," said Johnston.

Johnston said he is at his wits end when dealing with the national letter carrier.

He has had letters to them go unanswered and he recommended they contact the Co-op in Kugaaruk for service. Johnston finally followed through on an ultimatum to evict them on Sept 30.

"You try (to deal with Canada Post), but it's damn near impossible. It's last minute. Why are they in this big panic?" said Johnston.

Canada Post spokesman John Caines said the move came a bit as a surprise to them.

"It was my understanding that we were advised (to leave the hamlet office) in June 2005. We were hoping to extend it, and they said no."

Canada Post now has a representative - Ron Kingsley - in Kugaaruk to explain the situation to residents.

The Koomiut Co-op - with its new expansion - is the most likely place for the new post office, but Caines said he wasn't aware whether the agency had been in contact with it.

"We are trying to get our head office to work on this, but to this date, we have no real idea," said Co-op manager Emiliano Qirngnuq.