The postal box was removed because of constant vandalism.
At its first meeting of 2016 on Monday, Jan. 18, the Walden Lake Community Association discussed the possibility of re-obtaining a mail drop-off box for the Walden Lake community.
Years ago, the community had a mail drop-off box near the guard houses on Timberlane Drive for the nearly 2,400 homes in Walden Lake. The box was removed about eight years ago after it was continuously vandalized.
“It was a big convenience to the Walden Lake residents to be able to drop off mail there,” WLCA President Bob Hunter said.
Jack Wolff, a former director for the WLCA, has been working to have the drop-off box reinstated in the community. He has submitted papers requesting the box for processing, but has faced challenges because different post officers have been transferring in and out of the position frequently.
“I’m thinking I will be able to do something to process this is in the near future,” Wolff said. “Once we get the paperwork rolling along … I don’t think there will be a problem.”
Currently, there are two boxes at the closed downtown post office on Reynolds Street in Historic Downtown. The building closed in 2013 after deterioration was discovered in the basement. If one of the mail drop-off boxes from the old post office is moved back to the Walden Lake community, the other box must be moved from the closed post office at the same time.
Wolff looked into keeping the box in Historic Downtown. The City approved a location for it on Reynolds Street, to the east of Wheeler Street. The box would be in a non-parking area that allows drivers to pull up directly to the box.
To dissuade vandalism once the postal box is reinstated, the WLCA has installed security cameras in the guard houses on Timberlane Drive. An additional camera will be placed on the postal box once it is brought back to the community. In the past, security cameras were unable to capture acts of vandalism on the mailbox because they were pointed in a different direction.
“It was helpful to tell them that the security camera has been funded,” Wolff told the WLCA board on Monday. “I really want to thank you for doing that. I think that will be of great value. I feel very strongly that we will get it (back).”
Hunter added that the WLCA hopes to hear back about the processing of the paperwork within the next month.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
YARD WORK | The WLCA approved to use Complete Care Landscaping for 52 weeks instead of 42 weeks. President Bob Hunter said that the community has used the company for about eight years.
“The existing contract … did not increase in amount,” Hunter said. “This is a really good deal with the improvements that we’re trying to make in Walden Lake.”
BIKER BASE | The association’s newest director, Josh Hall, is exploring the option of having bike trails within Walden Lake. Hall, who visits bike parks throughout the state, has proposed having three trails of varying expertise in the back of the polo field. He is researching permits and will bring his results back to the board.
RUN THE RACE | Residents interested in running for a seat on the WLCA board must submit their intent to run by March 5. Those elected will serve a three-year term. This year, terms expiring are for Ray Page, Rich Glorioso and Bob Hunter. Hunter, who is the current president of the association, has not yet decided if he will seek re-election.
