As many readers know, March was a difficult month for home delivery of the Local.

Early in the month, Montgomery County readers reported not receiving their papers for two weeks. The March 13 issue was delayed by one day in Chestnut Hill due to a problem at the local post office.

Then came the March 20 issue, which carried the spring edition of Wissahickon Magazine. We learned some mail carriers in Chestnut Hill had received only part of their Local allotment. We alerted the mail processing center to the problem and took steps to ensure readers received their papers, including contacting customers on the three affected carrier routes and providing Saturday pickup hours. We didn't realize how widespread the issue was until Monday, when post offices received a second shipment containing the "missing" Locals.

Two important points about delivery issues: First, the problem rarely lies with your mail carrier — they can only deliver what they receive. Second, we need to hear from you when delivery problems occur. Without your calls, we may not know there's an issue that needs addressing. Thank you to readers who contacted us about recent problems. Despite frustration over not receiving their paper promptly, most were gracious. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

Our delivery process

The Local is printed Tuesday afternoons and delivered to the Bulk Mail Center on Lindbergh Boulevard every Tuesday evening. From there, papers are processed and shipped to the main post offices in our service area, including Market Square, Germantown, Roxborough, Glenside, Fort Washington and Lafayette Hill. 

Generally, these locations receive their Locals Wednesday morning, and carriers deliver them that day. For smaller post offices like Flourtown and Oreland, readers may receive Thursday delivery since papers must travel from the initial delivery point to the local post office.

We have a mail subscription delivered to our office weekly, which serves as an early indicator of potential problems. If we don't receive our papers on Wednesday, we know there's an issue and begin investigating. If our papers arrive on time, we only know about problems when you tell us.

Beyond newspaper delivery issues, we've experienced problems with first-class mail we've sent (renewal notices) and that you've sent us (payment checks). We're meeting next week with a representative from Congressman Dwight Evans' office to discuss these postal service issues.

How you can help

Please continue letting us know when you have delivery problems. Also, if you haven't set up your digital subscription or aren't receiving our weekly email newsletter, we encourage you to get connected. Digital access and the newsletter are free to all print subscribers — you just need to sign up. While there's nothing like holding a newspaper in your hands, the website, e-edition and newsletter let you stay current with local news and events if your print edition arrives late.

Contact me at 215-248-8813 or circulation@chestnuthilllocal.com with any problems or for help establishing digital access.

We share your frustration about not receiving timely delivery of the paper you paid for. Trust me, we understand! And we appreciate that you love your Local and miss it when it doesn't arrive.

Here's hoping April brings better delivery of the Local!