DECATUR — Justin Thompson is serving as the new Officer in Charge of the Decatur Post Office.

Thompson came to the Decatur Post Office from the Centerton Post Office on July 31. He is the acting postmaster - or officer in charge - while Decatur's Postmaster, Twila Long, is away serving other area post offices.

In a small post office like Decatur, the officer in charge is responsible for all aspects of running the office, doing everything from sorting the mail to keeping track of the financials and managing rural routes, Thompson explained.

Thompson grew up in Decatur and graduated from the Decatur High School in 1998. He is enjoying working only a few miles from home and with familiar customers.

Working in the Post Office seems to run in Thompson's family. Thompson said he has two uncles, two aunts and five cousins working for the USPS, as well as his wife. His grandmother also worked for the Postal Service but is retired.

News, Pages 2 on 08/26/2009