LETTER: No small change

Eric Gibbons, owner, The Firehouse Gallery of Bordentown
I’m a big guy but like the little things in life.
   I like my little firehouse in Bordentown, I like running my summer art camp program for the local kids, I like the little restaurants and shops, I like knowing all the folks at the post office, some by first name, I like that I can walk up the street and get all my change counted and…
   WOOPS?!?
   No more coin counting machine?? When did that happen?
   When Farmers and Mechanics Bank changed hands to Beneficial, I wasn’t pleased knowing all the tellers who knew me by name would probably be leaving (They Did) I was hopeful that Beneficial may be small enough to care (They Don’t) The only thing that separated them from the corporate cold banks in every direction was that coin counting service.
   Sure I could go to a CoinStar machine and pay 9% to use their service, but it’s my money and I shouldn’t have to pay for it to be counted and deposited. I could also drive 40 minutes to one of their banks that still has that service, but the gas alone would make that a stupid choice.
   More and more these little-conveniences are disappearing in favor of corporate efficiency. It’s sad and probably the way of the future. I know I appreciate these small things and support businesses that go out of their way to be personable…
   So out of spite and frustration over a small thing like my coins not being counted, am I going to close my personal accounts with the bank branch I have been using for nearly 20 years?
   In a word, “Yup.”
   That very day I went to Hamilton and had my coins counted and opened an account. I got all the information I need to have my electronic deposits go to this new bank that still has not lost sight of the little things that make people happy. Though my account has a number, I am still a name there, and as I left, I got a cheerful “Welcome to our bank Mr. Gibbons.” from Ms. Kelly Williams.
   Too bad TD Bank does not have a branch in Bordentown.
   That’s My 2 Cents.