Our Hometown
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Newark Postmaster retiring on Dec. 31
He is pleased to be finishing his term at the end of the 1900's. He was waiting on customers before our interview on Wednesday. Blandino had set up a table outside his office to sell stamps to last-minute customers. Blandino's first job with the post office was as a Christmas assistant from 1959-64, when heavy holiday mailings required two deliveries a day. After two stints in the U.S. Army, Blandino started his postal career as a substitute clerk/carrier at the Lyons Postal facility. He was appointed Postmaster at Clyde in 1986, went back to Lyons as Postmaster, and eventually replaced John Streber as Newark Postmaster in July 1990. Blandino has no specific plans for retirement other than pursuing hobbies of travel, golf, and coaching girls softball. He and his wife, Joanne live on Canal Street in Lyons and have two grown children, Doreen, a college professor, and Michael, an assistant director of information systems at Johns Hopkins. Blandino is proud of what has happened in Newark during his years on the job. The Rural Training Academy was established, training carriers from all over Western New York. The Stamps By Mail program was begun, and the windows were opened at 7:30 a.m. in response to requests by postal customers. All these improvements, said Blandino, were made possible through the teamwork and combined efforts of the Newark Post office employees. He mentioned with pride the recent renovation with handicap access of the Newark facility, built in 1913. He is unsure about who will be named to replace him. The position of postmaster will be up for 'bid' by eligible candidates, who could be postmasters from other offices. After January 1, and until a new postmaster is selected, the officer in charge at the Newark Post Office will be Robert DeJohn, the assistant postmaster. Copyright © 1999 |
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After 37 years in government service,
Newark Postmaster Jim Blandino plans to retire at year's end from the Postal Service.