Vencent Quaglia, Anaheim, CA
“Repeat customer” was a very touching story about Finn Blumenthal, the 4-year-old boy who’s a fan of the Falmouth Post Office in Fredericksburg, VA. The photo was terrific. […]
Shawn Selby
Posts by Shawn Selby
Keep it clean
Keeping USPS facilities clean can be tough, but for many custodians, it’s a job they take great pride in. “I keep the customer area clean and walkways and sidewalks shoveled and salted so customers can make their way safely to mail packages,” said Chris Boerman, who maintains the Newark, NY, Post Office. “I assist the […]
On duty
Are you interested in securing USPS facilities and protecting employees and other people on postal property? The Postal Inspection Service will accept applications for Postal Police officers from Friday, Feb. 8, through Thursday, Feb. 14. Only USPS career employees can apply to this announcement. Postal Police officers patrol USPS premises to prevent loss or damage […]
Happy new year
A new Postal Service video features highlights from the recent Celebrating Lunar New Year stamp dedication ceremony. The stamp honors the Year of the Boar, which began Feb. 5. “As you add this beautiful stamp to your collection or use it to mail your letters and packages, it is our sincere wish that the Year […]
Information, please
Here’s Link’s latest “News Quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: Employees who violate the federal conflicts of interest law may face criminal prosecution as well as disciplinary action by the Postal Service. a) True b) False 2. […]
Aileen Kirts, Potomac, IL
“History lessons,” the article about the college professor who uses postcards to teach history, was a great story. […]
Imminent risk
Letter Carrier Mary Smith was recently delivering mail in a Marion, OH, neighborhood when she detected the odor of gas at an older customer’s residence. Smith knocked on the woman’s door and urged her to contact the gas company. Several days later, the customer told Smith that utility workers had discovered gas leaking from the […]
Sweet 15
Informed Delivery has 15 million subscribers, a new milestone. The free feature offers multiple benefits for consumers, allowing them to preview their incoming mail and manage their packages from computers, tablets and other mobile devices. Businesses can add interactive content to the Informed Delivery emails that subscribers receive. Subscribers can click this content and be […]
Making history
The Link team would like to speak to USPS employees who have connections to the Negro Motorist Green Book, the travel guide that postal worker Victor Green founded in the 1930s. The guide, which was published regularly until 1966, listed businesses that would welcome African-American travelers. The publication inspired “Green Book,” a top contender during […]
Proud heritage
To help mark the start of African-American History Month, here are five things to know about the national observance. 1. Carter G. Woodson pioneered the precursor to African-American History Month. In the early 1900s, Woodson, a son of former slaves and a Harvard University-educated historian, became concerned that the contributions of black people were overlooked […]
NPF VIP
NPF VIP. Ramela Younekian, Sierra Coastal District’s marketing manager, is the first employee to receive a complimentary registration to this year’s National Postal Forum (NPF). Younekian earned the registration after recruiting five new business customers to attend the event, which will be held in Indianapolis from May 5-8. This is the fourth consecutive year Younekian […]
Safe and secure
USPS is seeking nominees for the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program, which honors employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. The program, which will mark its 16th year in 2019, is based on a simple idea: Postal Service employees know the habits of their customers and the rhythms of their communities, and are […]
Chris Kesselring, Bagley, IA
“Wheel love” is a touching story. I can see why the letter carrier cried after receiving the Lego LLV. I love how customers make our day. […]
Mountain of mail
Duane Sherman received mail from around the world for his recent birthday. The Fullerton, CA, resident, who served in World War II and received a Purple Heart, is legally blind. As Sherman’s 96th birthday approached last month, his daughter, Sue Morse, made a Facebook post to request cards for her dad, who only received bills […]
Happy feet
Here’s Link’s latest “News Quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. In her latest “Business Focus” video, Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan reported USPS delivered how many packages between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day? a) 940 million b) 945 million […]
Muddy buddy
City Carrier Assistant Daniel Virgilio was delivering mail at a Danbury, CT, apartment complex on a rainy day last fall when he a spotted a customer facedown on muddy ground. Virgilio rushed to the woman’s aid and found that she was neither responsive nor breathing. The Postal Service employee called 911 and followed the dispatcher’s […]
Gerald Kranz, Raleigh, NC
I enjoy reading Link’s stories about outstanding employees, especially those who have accumulated many hours of sick leave and many years of service. […]
Lunar effects
Here’s Link’s latest “News Quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: Effective Jan. 27, the First-Class Mail letter single-piece additional ounce price will be reduced from 21 cents to 15 cents. a) True b) False 2. To […]
Winter walking
The Postal Service wants employees to remember that snow and icy conditions during the winter increase the likelihood of slips, trips and falls. To avoid these types of accidents — which can result in pain, injury and lost productivity — proper footwear with good treads is essential. Here are some other tips: • Wear grippers […]
National Wear Red Day
The Postal Service is inviting employees to participate in National Wear Red Day, which is held annually to raise awareness of heart disease. This year’s National Wear Red Day is Friday, Feb. 1. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, accounting for approximately 1 in […]
Wheel love
A young customer in Kenosha, WI, recently used a creative way to show his appreciation for USPS: Lego building blocks. Mitchell Hoepner, a 12-year-old boy who has autism, enjoys receiving mail from Letter Carrier Michelle Badham so much that he surprised her with a Lego LLV he made himself. “He had it hanging on the […]
Diana Watkins, Elm Springs, AR
I wish all supervisors were like Alfredo Rodriguez, the State Island, NY, customer services manager who was recently profiled in the “On the Job” column. […]
Warning sounds
Rural Carrier Ashley Deasey was delivering mail in Buffalo Mills, PA, one day last fall when she saw that a customer’s home was on fire. While calling 911, Deasey rushed to the front door and knocked, then opened it to alert anyone who may have been there. She was greeted by a small dog that […]
Human resources chief
Isaac Cronkhite has been appointed acting chief human resources officer, where he will lead all aspects of workforce management and development for the Postal Service. Cronkhite will oversee labor relations, employee resource management, leadership and career development, compensation and benefits, the HERO platform, the Human Resources Shared Service Center and the Employee Assistance Program, among […]
Moving forward
The Postal Service has honored more than 80 employees in the latest Engagement Leader of the Year Awards competition. The awards recognize leaders who foster employee involvement, enthusiasm and commitment. The Employee Engagement Blue page lists the honorees at the district and headquarters levels. Postal Service employees across the nation chose nominees for the competition. […]
What do you think?
What did you think of Link’s recent profile of Anthony Puccio, the New York City letter carrier who has about 4,200 hours of accumulated sick leave? How about the recent report about the Postal Service’s efforts to serve customers returning unwanted holiday gifts through the mail? Did you learn anything from the “Best Practices” article […]
Holiday history
The Postal Service released the 12th and final stamp in its Celebrating Lunar New Year series last week. Here are some things you may not have known about the holiday. 1. Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in many Asian cultures. In some countries, the celebration lasts several days and kicks off with […]
Working together
Acting Customer Services Manager Tanya Jackson and Lead Retail Associate Leon Livengood were recently on duty in Portland, OR, when a customer experienced a medical emergency. When Livengood noticed that the customer was in distress, he requested assistance from Jackson, who found that the woman was turning blue, had stopped breathing and had no detectable […]
Martha Tucker, Maysville, AR
I enjoy “Heroes’ Corner,” “The List” and the other regular features in Link. […]
‘Exceptional contributions’
Northeast Area Vice President Edward F. Phelan Jr. will retire Feb. 3 after 39 years with USPS. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan, who announced Phelan’s retirement in a memo this week, praised his “exceptional contributions” to the organization. “He has been a highly effective postal executive, and an excellent colleague and mentor to those who […]