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E-mail StoryCarriers celebrate Million Mile careers
| Tuesday, Feb 27 2007 11:05 PM
Last Updated: Tuesday, Feb 27 2007 11:14 PM
Bakersfield's postmaster honored 11 of his letter carriers Tuesday morning for each logging over 30 years and a million miles without an accident.
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Bakersfield United States Postal Service employee Alex Dang holds his plaque so his co-worker Joe Lewis, far right, can see. Dang and Lewis were part of a group of Postal Service drivers who earned a "One Million Mile Club" award for safe driving performance.
The United States Postal Service workers had plenty of on-the-road war stories to share at a breakfast in their honor at Hodel's Country Dining restaurant. But the ones involving dogs, of course, are legendary for this line of work.
"Chihuahuas are the worst," said honoree Michael Towery, who's worked 33 years for Bakersfield post offices. "They'll bite you in the ankle."
Postmaster Jim Brouillard gave the letter carriers plaques, pins and Postal Service jackets embroidered with the acknowledgement of their million mile accomplishments. The National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization promoting health, sponsors the Million Mile awards.
California Highway Patrol Officer Greg Williams cracked jokes about unruly postal customers and showed his sympathy for the dangers of working on the road.
Honoree Michael Cameron, a 40-year veteran of the downtown 93301 ZIP code route, said driving in his area can be harrowing.
"You gotta have your mind on driving all the time," he said. "And if you've ever been downtown enough, you see a lot of accidents. You gotta be 100 percent alert."
Bakersfield is growing by 7,000 deliveries a year, Brouillard said. The Bakersfield post offices average 10 vehicle accidents a year, including those that aren't the carrier's fault, he said. The post office investigates the accidents and uses them to develop safety talks, he added.
OK, who can resist one last dog-mailman story?
Cameron once encountered a pit bill at a home on his route, who proceeded to jump on him and nip at his shirt. Thankfully, he wasn't hurt, and the owner came out to help, he said.
"It's just part of the job," he said. "I had a good bruise on my chest."
Million Mile award winners
Michael Cameron
Lee Collaso
Alex Dang
Clifford Fehdrau
Michael Hall
Phillip Krause
Joe Lewis
Paul McCarthy
Michael Newton
Paul Shaw
Michael Towery