Stamps Now Cost $.39

Stateline residents rushed to the post office to get the new $.39 stamp. Some were eager to put their two cents in about the two-cent increase. "I think it`s bogus," says Davis Junction Resident Jack Scuderi. To Scuderi, and a few others, the new stamp is just another thing that will cost a little more this year. "Theres inflation, gas prices, electricity," says Scuderi. "Everything is going up, and the economy`s still bad." "Im not very happy about," says Cherry Valley Resident Debra Holder. "I don`t think too many people are." Some people may be unhappy, but there are others who don`t seem to mind. Jim Kleine says thirty nine cents to mail a letter is still a bargain "I don`t think it`s too bad, I think its a reasonable price to get anything around the country including Alaska and Hawaii," says Kleine. "I think it`s reasonable, one of the only things the government does well." "If they need it, I suppose the need it," says Rockford Resident Eugene Allen. Allen says he doesn`t mind the two-cent increase. Its the new price for packages that bothers him. Sending a package priority will cost you $4.05. Other increases are post cards, now $.24 and two ounce letters are up to $.60. "Even a registered letter, it was $7 to mail a letter," says Allen. "That`s not nice." "Its going to play a part in our business," says Holder. "Mailing packages and tax returns and everything." According to the Post Office, the extra money is needed to fund a congressionally mandated escrow account.