By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
If Canada Post concurs, Mitchell’s Bay will soon have its own postal code.
Chatham-Kent council gave unanimous approval recently to an administrative report asking Canada Post to recognize the hamlet and surrounding area with its own code.
The ask comes in response to a request from the Mitchell’s Bay Area Association (MBAA) seeking the change.
In a deputation to council, MBAA member Dave Smith said a petition was started by local residents advocating for the change.
Smith said association members went to door to door to discuss the issue with residents, noting a postal code change will improve emergency responder access; improve accuracy with navigation tools such as Google maps and clear up confusion when applying for government documents.
According to Smith, a new code will “fortify” Mitchell’s Bay residents with a sense of community.
Both North Kent councillors voiced their support for the change.
“Of course, I think this a great thing,” said Jamie McGrail, a Mitchell’s Bay resident.
Rhonda Jubenville echoed McGrail.
“I think this has been a long time coming by the sounds of it,” Jubenville said, noting she’s heard of safety and emergency concerns, as well as mail delivery concerns…just to be able to give the residents of Mitchell’s Bay, their own identity. “On behalf of the residents of the residents of Mitchell’s Bay, I appreciate council’s support on this item.”
In the past, the post office serving Mitchell’s Bay and the northern reaches of Dover Township were part of Dover Centre. Currently, the mailing address for Mitchell’s Bay is Dover Centre.
If Canada Post goes ahead with the change, it will provide a minimum of 30 days’ notice to affected before a new code is implemented.
According to Ryan Jacques, head of planning for Chatham-Kent, the request will be prioritized by Canada Post.
