Dangerous parking at Oak Harbor Post Office

Read the first two sentences in an Andy Rooney voice:

Didja ever notice when trying to drive out of the Oak Harbor Post Office parking lot that your line of sight as you look to your left is blocked by a large vehicle? You know, probably driven by someone who, for goodness sakes, will only be in the building a few minutes or less, so what does it matter if he/she is parked in a spot marked “compact”!??

So there you are craaaaning your neck, gingerly edging out oh-so-sloooowly to see beyond the offending vehicle, hoping no one is coming because you sure as heck can’t tell. And because you’re so focused to the left, maybe you don’t see an approaching vehicle on your right.

So, who ya gonna call about this accident just waiting to happen? Newspaper editor? Post office boss? Police chief? City council member? Higher up? Been there, done that.

Initially I was told, “No history of accidents.” And apparently, no history of complaints. So I thought if I’m the only wheel squeaking about this, maybe I should stop and just park NEAR but not IN that parking lot.” And so that’s what I do.

Meanwhile I’ve been told by a city official that eventually I and others can safely exit that lot as “the current recommendation, weather and work schedule permitting, is to remove the closet parking stall to the exit.”

Thank you in advance to the city for listening and being proactive.

And to the drivers … yes, I know parking is a premium at the post office. But safety really should trump convenience.

Jo Hellmann

Oak Harbor

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