Heads up in Headland

When you ask Headland City Carrier Jacky Bostick if he has ever had anything memorable happen to him on his route, the first story that comes to mind is an odd and frightening one.

Several years ago, he was deliving to rural cluster boxes when a child who was about 10 years old approached. "He asked for his mail, which I couldn't give to him. We're not allowed to do that," Jacky said.

Jacky watched the boy walk behind his vehicle, and suddenly, the boy disappeared. Jacky kept looking and still couldn't see the child.

 "I wondered where did he go?, so I got out and walked around. There he was, laying on the ground behind the back wheel of my truck," Jacky said.

The child was not injured: he had placed himself there in that prone position. There was never any real explanation for the boy's bizarre behavior.

The only thing that was clear to Jacky on that day was that if he hadn't been paying attention and gone to the trouble to getting out and looking for the boy, the ending to this story would not have been a happy one.

That story exemplifies why Jacky Bostick has received multiple safety commendations (last year, he achieved the Million Mile award during his 30th year of Postal service), including his most recent accolade, which he is holding in the picture above, the National Safety Council's Award of Honor. He believes in patience, care and focus.

"Being safe is just really about taking your time, especially in high-risk areas, and trying to watch other folks," Jacky said. "But there's a little bit of luck involved, too.

He encourages drivers to always remain attententive to their surroundings. "The biggest problem I have is other people on the road," he said. "When you pull over to service a box, you really have to keep looking behind you because people can and do come out of nowhere."

"People don't give you the room that they should, even when there is no oncoming traffic. They have a lack of respect for your space," he said. "I've had to jump out of the truck before because I thought that somebody was going to hit me."

Jacky's Postmaster, Sandra Batchelor, wants us to know that not only is he an excellent driver but is also a gem of an employee and person. About him, she wrote:

Mr Bostick is always upbeat despite the physical hardships that he overcomes daily. He is always smiling and always dependable.  There is nothing he wouldn't do for his family or friends. He is a good Christian man and a man of his word. I would love to have 100 more employees just like him. It is an honor to serve as his Postmaster.

Jacky, congratulations on your much-deserved award; we are grateful for your dedication to the Postal Service and commitment to your community.

Postmarks also thanks Headland Postmaster Sandra Batchelor for telling us about Jacky and for sending his picture our way.

Birmingham Save America's Postal Service Rally

A crowd gathered yesterday in front of the Birmingham Main Post Office for one of 492 Save the Post Office rallies that were conducted by postal employees nationwide.

The four employee unions joined forces to encourage support for H.R. 1351, which would prevent lay-offs and service cuts by allowing the Postal Service to utilize billions of dollars in pension overpayments. This would cost taxpayers nothing.

On this day, all employees marched united.

During the hour, participants tried to inform the public and motivate them to contact their representatives before it's too late.

Birmingham APWU President Edgar Wallace was one of several speakers in front of the APWU union hall, which is located across the street from the post office.

City Carrier Kimberly Humphrey (center)

Clerk Harry Turner

Retired clerk and current APWU Legislative Director Sara Witherspoon

APWU officials Billy Woods, Ron Nesmith, Mike Morris, and Jerry McIlvain

Nesmith said, "We're here today to get the public to talk to their Congress people. The post office serves everybody. Not private industry: private industry leaves people out in the cold."

Amanda Wright doesn't work for the post office, but her friend does. Her friend had to work, so Amanda attended in her place. "I'm here to support my best friend. If all of these cuts go through, that's her livelihood," Amanda said.

Clerk and Birmingham APWU Editor Audrey Betts

More pictures will be posted in a Facebook album in the next couple of days. 

Last chance: Negro Leagues stamps and collectibles

The commemorative envelope featuring our very own Cleophus Brown (pictured above) will only be on sale at the Birmingham Main Post Office.

The Robertsdale Road Crew

For the past month or so, we've been featuring the Alabama District employees who have received commendation for safe driving from the National Safety Council. 

Today, the spotlight is on the Robertsdale Post Office, where safe drivers seem to have flocked together.

Years of accident-free driving are listed next to the employees' names. Everybody with 10 or more years of safe driving received the NSC's Award of Honor.

First row: Postmaster Charles Tucker, Kathryn Anderson (18 years), Brigitte Pierce (14 years), Kyle Murphy (16 years)

 Second row: Frank Badners (16 years), Richard Liles (32 years), Mike Huffmaster (17 years), and Anthony Cooper (14 years)

About his staff, Robertsdale Postmaster Charles Tucker said, "This group of great employees has saved the Postal Service a lot of money through the years by being accident free. Add up all these years,  and it's a total of 161 years for them all. This is a very dedicated group that I'm really proud of."

 

This picture is of the Robertsdale accident-free Rural Carrier Associates: Christina Thompson (9 years), Debbie Gholson (12 years), Jeannie Williams (6 years) and Kim Burke (7 years).

"Without good substitute carriers,  we can't survive," Tucker said.

The top achiever is Rural Carrier Richard Liles. "He has 32+ years without a motor vehicle accident (over 800,00 miles), no industrial accidents,and a sick leave balance of 1928 hrs. He's the type of employee that makes the Postal Service proud. I know I am," Tucker said about Liles.

What an impressive group of safety-conscious employees. We hope to see you all again next year when your award-winning numbers grow even larger.

Postmarks thanks Charles Tucker for sending the pictures and for telling us all about his great crew.

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Click twice on the picture for easier reading.

Click here to visit the Smithsonian National Postal Museum's webpage Hispanic Americans in the Postal Service and Philately.

Zumba Class Friday, September 30: Birmingham

Watching out for the other guy

Demopolis City Carrier Tony Reaves is another of our Alabama District employees to be presented with the National Safety Council's Award of Honor for achieving 10 years (or 100,000 miles) of on-the-job driving without being responsible for an at-fault accident.

"I wish that we had more employees like Tony," said Demopolis Postmaster Carleton Pickel.

Demopolis Postmaster Carleton Pickel with Demopolis City Carrier Tony Reaves

With 25 years of Postal service behind him, Tony's advice about staying safe is simple: "Do what the boss says to do, and watch out for the other guy," he said.

One of Tony's favorite stories about experiences on his route happened years ago. He was on foot delivering mail and saw a young boy fall off of his bicycle. The child yelled to Tony, "Hey, aren't you going to help me get up?"

Of course, Tony did just that, and a friendship began. "That child is now grown and recently told that story at his graduation," Tony said.

"I love my job, and I love the people on my route. I always have," Tony said.

The habit of excellence

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ~ Aristotle

One thing that we've noticed while doing this blog for the past year or so is that frequently, when employees receive one award, we'll get to see them again soon when they receive another. That's because these special Alabama District employees are the kind of people who strive for excellence across the board, in everything that they do. 

Ethelsville Rural Carrier Mike Hancock is this type of a person. "Mike is just an overall good worker," said Ethelsville Postmaster Valida Yarbrough. "He works well with others, and if there is something that he can do to help, he will do it."

"And he's been driving with his job at the Post Office for 27 years and has never had an at-fault accident. That is wonderful!" Yarbrough said.

Recently, Mike was presented with the National Safety Council's Award of Honor, with which he is pictured below.  As we have mentioned before, only .5 percent of Alabama District employees were eligible for this award this year. To receive it, one has to have driven 100,000 miles or ten years on the job without being responsible for causing an accident in a motor vehicle.

Ethelsville Rural Carrier Mike Hancock wins the NSC Award of Honor

We asked Mike about his approach to staying safe. He replied,  "For me, it's been all about defensive driving. Watch out for the other person: you never know what they are going to do."


Mike offered some great advice in another area, too. Over the course of his Postal career, he rarely used sick leave (at one point, he had gone 10 years without using any). It came in handy in the past few years when he had several unexpected surgeries on his back and hips. 

Because he had only used sick leave for emergencies, during his extended recovery, he didn't miss a paycheck. His advice: "Save your sick leave. Take care of your family. That's the same as money in the bank."


The foresight and care that he has for his family is extended towards his Postal customers as well. "I try to take care of my customers, give them all of the service that I can: they are my future," he said.


Thanks to you, Mike, for being such a conscientious person, a great example, and for your words of wisdom. Postmarks also thanks Valida Yarbrough for letting us know about Mike and the rest of the Ethelsville staff for their warm welcome.

Ethelsville Post Office staff: Postmaster Valida Yarbrough, Rural Carrier Mike Hancock, Clerk Tiana Nicholson, and Rural Carrier Kasandra Macisaac



Reminder: Tomorrow is Passport Day in the USA

On September 17, 2011, several Alabama Post Offices will be participating in Passport Day in The USA.

Dothan Main Post Office: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Montgomery GMF: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Arab Post Office: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Anniston Main Post Office: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Huntsville Haysland Station: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Sylacauga Post Office: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Mobile Main Post Office: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Birmingham Main Post Office: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

 

You will need to bring

• Proof of American citizenship or naturalization
• State or government photo ID
• A recent photograph that meets specific passport requirements (also available at participating post offices for $15)
• A completed passport application, which can be downloaded at www.usps.com/passport . DO NOT SIGN THE FORM AHEAD OF TIME.
• The necessary fees.

You can find answers to any questions that you may have by clicking here or by calling the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

 

 

 

 

 

 



CFC Kick-off Party Tomorrow in Birmingham

Open Season: Inclusiveness & Diversity Advisory Committees (IDAC)

Across the Alabama District, Inclusiveness & Diversity Advisory Committees are accepting applications for new members.

Here is some information about what it takes to be a member, along with an application form that you can print, fill out, and return by September 30.

In order to print the application directly from the blog, click the green PRINT FRIENDLY button at the bottom of this post.

Cotton-pickin' safe in Millport

Greetings to all. Postmarks returns from a brief hiatus by introducing Millport Rural Carrier Chester Shaw. Chester is one of our 52 Alabama District employees to be bestowed with the National Safety Council's Award of Honor.

In order to be eligible to receive the prestigious Award of Honor, employees who drive in the course of their duties must complete 10 years or 100,000 miles without having an at-fault accident behind the wheel. This year, only 1/2 of 1 percent of Alabama employees qualified.

Chester grew up picking cotton and then worked in the timber industry before joining Postal Service ranks 25 years ago.

Now, he is a vibrant, exuberant 70 year old who radiates a positive outlook that spreads to all who cross his daily 96-mile path.  "We are like family in the office and out on the route, too," he said. "I love working here."

He is also a preacher and credits his faith with helping him to remain safe. "I do a lot of praying," he said. "Every day, I go out on my route in peace, and I come back to the office in peace.This is a good job, and I want to stay safe in it."

With a third of Chester's route being on gravel, country roads, he adds that regular vehicle maintenance is an absolute necessity and is another contributing factor to his perfect safety record. "I keep my car in good condition," he said.

Millport Postmaster Tangy Furr with Rural Carrier Chester Shaw

"Chester is a wonderful person," said Millport Postmaster Tangy Furr. "He always has positive things to say, is courteous and polite, always comes in with a smile, never complains about work, and always is willing to help others."

This willingness to help extends beyond the office to Chester's customers. One morning as he was delivering mail , he thought that he saw something moving on a long driveway. At first, he didn't know what it was, but upon closer examination, he realized that it was an older man who had fallen and had been unable to get up.

"He had been on the ground for over an hour," Chester said. He helped the man and prevented what could have been, especially in such a remote rural area, a tragic situation.

Thank you, Chester, for being such a positive influence at the Millport office as well as an admirable representative of the Postal Service in your community.

Postmarks also wishes to thank Tangy Furr for telling us about Chester and for sharing the picture.

Maplesville's Million Mile Man, John Higginbotham

A few weeks ago, we posted about Maplesville's John Higginbotham receiving the National Safety Council's Award of Honor.  Since then, the veteran rural carrier added another feather to his cap, the even more prestigious Million Mile Award.

Maplesville Postmaster Sherry Burt with Rural Carrier John Higginbotham

The Maplesville crew gathered to celebrate his achievement and to surprise him with a special breakfast that they prepared in his honor. 

"This is something that I always wanted to achieve but never thought that I would accomplish," John humbly said to the group. 

"When I first started with the Postal Service, this was something I never dreamed would happen. Time sure passes quickly." 

After the brief ceremony, Sherry Burt was proud to be the one to present John with his Million Mile pin. "I never thought that I'd be fortunate enough to give that to somebody," said Sherry. 



John Higginbotham and Sheila Crocker

The affection and admiration that the rest of the Maplesville staff have for John was obvious. 

And he feels the same way about his co-workers. "A lot of the credit goes to them," he said. "We help each other and look out for each other. I have a great place to work."

Sherry Burt and Donna Barnhill

John wasn't the only person in the office to receive a safe driving award: Rural Carriers Donna Barnhill (13 years) and Tonya Carter (4 years) also received National Safety Council pins 

Sherry Burt and Tonya Carter

Congratulations to all of the Maplesville safe drivers, and we hope to see you all again next year!