Last week, Lorraine Sonoqui became the acting postmaster of the Idyllwild Post Office. The former postmaster, Mark Smith, abruptly resigned earlier last month, leaving staff inundated with work during the holiday season.

“We do not comment on personnel issues,” wrote Eva M. Jackson, strategic communications specialist for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), in response to an inquiry regarding Smith’s resignation.

The newspaper contacted Smith for comment regarding his resignation.

“Thank you for reaching out,” Smith responded. “I think I’ll politely pass on your question. However, it was great being able to serve the community, albeit for the brief time I was there. So many charming people and places.”

“Smith replaced Ray Wilson, who retired June 1 after 37 years with the postal service,” the newspaper previously reported. “Wilson stepped into the postmaster position Sept. 29, 2019. Wilson told the newspaper during an interview that he planned on being the postmaster for three years before he retired.”

The USPS confirmed members of the public are unable to volunteer at the post office. Dawn Miller, who had retired from the USPS in 2009 as the Idyllwild Post Office’s postmaster, assisted the Idyllwild Post Office staff during the time of reduced staffing along with Nuevo Post Office Postmaster Kathy Holm, according to employee Kelsi Lehman.

Members of the Idyllwild community contacted the office of Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D., D-36, the area’s congressman, after Smith’s resignation to get the Idyllwild Post Office staff assistance.

“As a result of constituents contacting my office about delays in service due to staffing shortages at the Idyllwild Post Office, I called for additional support and am glad that the USPS will send an acting postmaster to assess the situation and assist with daily operations,” Ruiz posted on Facebook Tuesday, Dec. 22. “I’m calling on the USPS to improve operations in the Idyllwild Post Office as they handle increased mail through the holiday season.”