Reduced hours at a Cambria County post office is causing a big inconvenience for some residents.

The U.S. Post Office in Wilmore cut its hours from 24 hours a day to 8 hours.

Terry Malzi and his wife, who live in a rural area of Wilmore, must receive their mail at the post office. Until this week, they could check their P.O. Box anytime. Now, the post office is only open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

"Both my wife and I work. We leave the house a little after 7 a.m. and don't get home until after 5 p.m. every day. So, we can't check our mail during the week and on Saturday, we only have a small window of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.," Malzi said.

For them, the reduced hours are more than just an inconvenience.

"I have my medicine delivered through the U.S. postal service, so it sits in the post office," he said. "It's dangerous for people who rely on their medicine through the postal service."

Post office officials said they reduced their hours to cut back on utility costs and they said there is also an issue with security. While there are 172 boxes at the post office, only about 90 are being rented. In the meantime, those who are renting are trying to come up with other options.

"Take some vacation time to go out and check the mail, which doesn't seem right," Malzi said.

But, officials with the postal service said they're sure other arrangements can be made, like having family members pick up their mail.

Some Wilmore residents are circulating a petition and Malzi said he's contacted Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey for help.

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