Tuesday, July 28, 2026
This carrier turned his routes into art
Richard Clarkson’s murals adorn the walls of the New York 2 District
Letter Carrier Richard Clarkson recently transformed a stairwell in the New York 2 District Office into his canvas.
The 30-year Postal Service employee, who works at the Springfield Gardens, NY, Post Office, painted eight murals of local landmarks and neighborhoods in Queens and Long Island.
The scenes provide a visual journey across the communities in the district.
Beginning with the Montauk Lighthouse on the eastern tip of Long Island, the murals are ordered geographically heading west.
The local landmarks include the Big Duck in Flanders, the Stargazer sculpture in the Hamptons, the 1964 World’s Fair Unisphere in Queens, Citi Field stadium in Flushing, and the Queensboro Bridge in Long Island City.
Clarkson said that he wanted to give his colleagues “something a little bit different than the regular wall” to look at as they go about their day. As a letter carrier, he is familiar with the neighborhoods represented in the murals, giving the artwork an authenticity that his fellow employees appreciate.
“His commitment to both our customers and to other fellow employees shines in the passion he brought to this project. He’s excellent,” said District Manager John Tortorice.
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Thinking about working for a USPS contractor?
You have to get prior approval and follow federal ethics rules
Postal Service employees must follow federal ethics laws if they want to work with postal contractors.
A highway contract route, or HCR, is a mail transportation contract; a contract delivery service, or CDS, is a mail delivery service contract. Postal Service employees cannot hold or bid on an HCR or CDS contract, but they can work for such contractors if they don’t interact with those entities as part of their Postal Service duties.
If a spouse, relative or household member of a Postal Service employee submits an offer for a contract, the contracting officer must consult with the USPS Ethics Office for review and recommendation. The employee should play no role in the contracting process.
With prior approval of the Ethics Office, employees can work for certain postal contractors, but these limits apply:
• Employees cannot work for a postal contractor during their USPS work hours.
• Employees cannot work for a postal contractor if it interferes with their USPS responsibilities.
• Employees cannot manage a postal contract if their spouse holds an interest in the contract or works under the contract.
Employees must seek prior approval before accepting employment with a postal contractor by emailing the Ethics Office or calling 202-268-6346.
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Noncareer employees can now apply for Postal Police jobs
Noncareer USPS employees and members of the public who are interested in becoming Postal Police officers have until Sunday, Aug. 2, to apply.
Postal Police officers protect USPS employees, customers and property.
Available duty locations include Boston; Chicago; Fort Worth, TX; Los Angeles; New York City; Philadelphia; San Francisco; and USPS headquarters in Washington, DC.
The Postal Inspection Service’s website has more information about how to apply and what the job duties, responsibilities, salary and benefits are.
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This carrier turned his routes into art
Richard Clarkson’s murals adorn the walls of the New York 2 District
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Thinking about working for a USPS contractor?
You have to get prior approval and follow federal ethics rules
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Mail
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“I got my first Barbie when I turned 11, in August 1964. The following December, my sister hid the doll while we were evacuating our house because of the threat of flooding. Barbie...”
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Noncareer employees can now apply for Postal Police jobs