Postal stamp machines a thing of the past in Elgin

If you planned on buying postage from the coin-operated stamp machine at the downtown Elgin post office, you'd better come up with a plan B.

Officials removed that machine in November, just before the holiday season kicked off.

The reasoning behind the move deals with the cost of stocking, maintaining and repairing the machine, said Tim Ratliff, a spokesman for the Northern Illinois District of the Postal Service.

Because officials have opened other avenues for stamp purchase, fewer customers have been using the machines nationwide, making it harder to justify spending money on an "obsolete" piece of equipment, Ratliff said.

This answer may not satisfy those of you who loved the ease of using the machine.

"We understand that for some customers, it'll be an inconvenience," Ratliff said. "But we have developed new, convenient ways for people to get the products and services that they need."

If you have a credit or debit card, there are three options available to you.

You can purchase stamps at www.usps.com or by calling 1-800-STAMPS-24. You can also buy stamps from the automated postal center you'll find in the lobby.

Using a check or money order, you can buy stamps by mail. Forms are available at the post office.

However, if you don't have a credit or debit card, you'll be stuck standing in that long line, unless you find another place that sells stamps.

So why not make this switch until after the holidays?

Because the decision is tied into nationwide concerns about equipment that's becoming old and outdated, Ratliff said.

"It's just part of our ongoing evaluation of our business costs and how we do business and how things are working," he said. "For some people obviously, it would never be a convenient time for that machine to be removed."

For those of you who need more information, the downtown Elgin post office will be holding an informational session about online postal services and the automated postal center from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Dec. 8.

Workers will set up computers to guide you through the process and a Hispanic services coordinator will be around to help translate.

And while you take care of business, your kids can chill out and munch on candy with Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman.

Meanwhile, if you absolutely can't live without using one of those stamp machines, there are still two of them left at the West Dundee post office.

But not for long.

"I think those stamp machines will be removed in the near future," Ratliff said via e-mail.

Gone too soon:ŒSouth Elgin officials are mourning the death of one of their own.

Pam Rosenbohm worked as a principal planner for seven years before succumbing to her three-year battle with breast cancer last Sunday.

Village officials say the Elgin woman died during Thanksgiving weekend while she visited her family in Kansas.

Rosenbohm was 44 and services were already held in Kansas, officials said.

She's survived by her husband, David, and their 2-year-old son ,Tyler.

"Everyone's pretty sad," said Village Administrator Larry Jones. "Pam was really liked by everyone and even when she was ill, she was upbeat."

She was so dedicated to her job that she still wanted to show up for it, even when it was clearly a struggle for her to come in to work, Jones said.

Steve Super, director of community development and her boss, says Rosenbohm was the one who worked with developers, helping them prepare their projects before they were sent to the village's plan commission.

Rosenbohm also assisted with the village's long-range planning.

Most importantly, she's the one who assisted all of the merchants you'll now see on Randall Road, Super said.

"She was a real sweetheart," Super said. "In our business, lots of people get frustrated with the process and the rules, but she was able to make friends with most of the petitioners that came through,"

And Rosenbohm's warm personality brought cheer to her coworkers, officials said.

"Pam was a really good person. She never had really a mean word to say about anybody and was kind to everyone," Super said. "Everyone liked working with her and she was a real asset to me professionally and personally.

"I'll miss her."

Lenore Adkins covers Elgin neighborhoods, South Elgin, Central Unit School District 301 and Pingree Grove. To reach her, call (847) 608œ2725 or send an e-mail to ladkins@dailyherald.com