Retiring postal clerk has seen many changes over the decades
By Lethbridge Herald on June 5, 2024.
Editor:
Hi! My name is Jim and I have been an employee at the downtown post office since June 10, 1981.
The last 33 of those years were spent as a simple seller of stamps at the front counter. My last day of work will be June 10.
I have seen so many changes over the years. From working out of a cash drawer, doing everything by hand, using a small chart, a scale and a piece of paper to figure out the cost of letters and parcels. To the implementation of the G.S.T. (I can tell you seven per cent of anything!). Gradually electronic cash registers and payment were introduced, following by computer tills and scales that seemed to do all the work for you.
The one thing that has never changed throughout these many years is the people, and it is for you that I pen this letter.
I have met so many amazing people from every imaginable walk of life and background! You have shared your stories with me, most happy, full of joy and laughter, some heartbreaking and tragic and some uplifting and inspiring.
I am humbled by the fact that you have trusted me enough to share parts of your life while conducting our postal business. A reporter once asked me “Who is your most memorable customer?” I looked at her for a second and then said “You are!”, she didn’t know what to say to that. “You are my most memorable customer,” I said, “because you are the one I am helping right now.” I have tried to live by this belief for my entire career, that each and every person is special and is deserving of respect, kindness and the best knowledge and service I can offer.
“Find a job you love. And you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”
There will be a come-and-go reception in the viewing gallery at the Galt Museum on Saturday, June 22 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Please feel welcome to attend and share your memories. Either on paper or the open mic, so that I may thank you in person.
I might not remember you. But I will never forget you!
It has been my honour and privilege to be your postal clerk.
Jim Matkin
Lethbridge
15-14
Jim, where has the time gone? Congratulations on your 33 year career with Canada Post! I believe that I met you right at the start of your position, and I fully agree, you and your co-workers in the beginning (George, Sharon) were always there to serve your customers the best you could. Your pleasant personality and knowledge made me always hope( when I was in line waiting) that you would be open when I got to the front of the line to be served. You continued to be my “go to person” and so often, rather than dealing with the drug store postal people, I would go the extra mile(s) and head to see you. Enjoy retirement buddy, and I will try my best to be there on June 22nd.
Jim your dedicated service has been appreciated over the years and you will be missed. You always took the time to make sure people knew fully understood any issues and were they to help.
I wish you well in your retirement!
On another subject that’s come up at coffee. In Edmonton we have been paying $158.9 at the pumps and a friend tells us that in a recent trip to Lethbridge he paid $170.9 is that true? If so why is it $135.9 in Leduc and $131.9 in Tofield. In other words why are these Reformers helping the oil industry screw us in the cities? Don’t forget Danielle Smith’s years as an oil corporation lobbyist.
Neither the time or place for this comment. Jim has exemplary service with Canada Post and has been a faithful public servant and appreciated his work. And then along comes you whining about reformers and gas prices. Confirms what we have known all along. A self centered keyboard clown. Something Jim is certainly not.
Fedup Conservative, it’s called and “is” independent market economy, that is correct, “free enterprise”! Service stations (gas stations) are independant and they can/will set individual prices on fuel as they determine, some change their prices several times during the week/day. Can you imagine that? Wow, and this has absolutely nothing to do with “Danielle Smith”! By the way Fedup Conservative, McDonald’s “Big Mac” prices vary from store to store city to city……it must be “that damn Danielle Smith” huh Fedup Conservative?
Hmm what does a retiring Postal Clerk have to do with Politics FC? Off the meds again? You had better get a handle on that!