Homes' addresses could change

It's a tale of two ZIP codes for many residents on the western fringe of Columbia County.

There are 148 parcels in Columbia County with Thomson mailing addresses. Last month, the U.S. Post Office sent out surveys to the affected residents to ask if they would like to switch to an Appling address.

But there are more issues at stake than simply changing ZIP codes from 30824 to 30802.

"We have set delivery, and we have union agreements with the carriers in terms of their pay," said Gerelyn Reaves, director of the post office's address management system for Georgia. "When we move deliveries around they lose pay."

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Reaves said the post office has determined that they can effectively make the ZIP code switch. But officials are waiting on the survey responses before making a final determination.

"We have to have 50 percent or more people willing to make the move before we proceed," she said. "Once we survey, if we get the 50 percent it will happen."

It's a change that several county officials said they want to see.

At the request of newly-elected Commissioner Lee Anderson, whose district includes the parcels in question, county Emergency Services Director Pam Tucker sent out a letter to residents urging them to fill out the postal service's survey and mail it before Friday's deadline.

"Some of the problems that the people face that live in our county and have Thomson addresses range from possible problems with emergency response, animal control, public works and other county services," Tucker said.

Anyone with questions about changing ZIP codes can call Tucker's office at 868-3303 or e-mail her at ptucker@co.columbia.ga.us.