There have been many complaints about the Rio Rancho post office, from long waits in line to late or no delivery. So far, efforts to improve the situation have largely focused on local and legislative pressure on the United States Postal Service and the postmaster general.

One former city councilor, however, wants to take the fight to a new arena.

Arturo Boniello, who served as the District 5 councilor until the municipal election last March, said he wants to file a lawsuit against the Rio Rancho post office and the postal district. After not receiving mail last Friday, Saturday and Monday, Boniello said he went to the post office to get answers. There, he found the branch manager, who only identified himself as "Jerry," to be rude and of no help.

If the manager has a poor attitude, Boniello said, "what can we expect to improve service to the citizens of Rio Rancho or to the taxpayers?"

Boniello said he would discuss his legal options with an attorney this week. He is hoping to file a class-action lawsuit, but does not yet know if that is a viable option.

The city, he said, needs two additional post office branches, one in the City Centre and one in its northwest corner. USPS did add one contract postal unit at Rio Rancho Printing, but has provided none of the additional four units they announced.

But Boniello does not want to see another contract unit -"Forget contract locations," he said - he wants more brick-and-mortar, full-fledged post offices.

"This is just nonsense anymore," he said.