Exclusive: Long Island Residents Blast Postal Service Over Lack Of Deliveries

MANHASSET, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Some Long Island residents think the U.S. Postal Service's motto needs to be revised.

That's because snow, rain and gloom of night have been getting in the way of their mail deliveries.

And that's not all: They say they're not getting mail on perfect weather days either, CBS 2's Carolyn Gusoff reported exclusively on Monday.

Debbie Resnick finally had mail delivered on Monday, for the first time since Wednesday. She said she's been stood up by the postman five days this month.

"I think this is horrendous. I pay my taxes. I'm entitled to my mail," said Resnick, of Manhasset Hills.

Resnick and her neighbors were incredulous that the Postal Service has been skipping days -- and not just snow days.

"The sun was shining and we didn't get any mail Thursday, Friday and Saturday," Resnick said.

"My neighbors are all complaining and it's unheard of. I keep looking thinking it's even coming at 9 o'clock at night, but it doesn't come at all," Vera Zarenva of Manhasset Hills.

New Hyde Park Post Office has been hearing many complaints, including missing mail and late-night deliveries that have gone on for months.

"You get mail two-three times a week; you don't get mail for yourself. I get mail for people in Franklin Square," one resident said.

The Postal Service claims it's unaware of widespread irregularities for sustained periods. It said every attempt is made to ensure all mail is delivered every day and urge those with missing mail to report it to their customer care center.

"We're doing the best we can," one Postal Service employee said.

Letter carriers who didn't want to speak on camera said that there have been new routes assigned in this area, longer routes with fewer hands on deck. They blame the problems on mismanagement, Gusoff reported.

Columbia University Professor Richard John, a Postal Service historian, said customers could be seeing the results of service cuts.

"The institution has suffered some big financial hits and that's causing an awful lot of challenges for postal administrators," John said.

Resnick said bills have gone unpaid, medication hasn't arrived on time and she's making a wedding.  For now, she said she mailing invitations elsewhere.

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy called the situation unacceptable and said she is working with the Postal Service to come up with a course of action to ensure regular mail delivery.

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