Photograph by Robert Scheer
New Saratoga Postmaster Sam Vasquez
By Mark Kregel
In the past few months, there have been many complaints of late mail deliveries in Saratoga. Improvement in mail delivery is the top goal for Saratoga's newly appointed postmaster, Sam Vasquez.
"My goal is to bring delivery standards to the highest in the area," Vasquez said. "I'd like to see residences get their mail by 3 p.m. and businesses get theirs by noon."
To accomplish this, he is hiring three full-time carriers and five part-time carriers, Vasquez said.
"Once we get the carrier positions filled, we can reach this goal," Vasquez said.
Vasquez is taking over from Acting Postmaster Kenneth James, who filled the position in the interim between Vasquez and previous postmaster Charles Mirrione. Mirrione was reassigned to the Soquel Post Office.
Vasquez has been with the United States Postal Service for 18 years. He started out in San Jose at the Jackson Avenue Station after graduating from San Jose State University.
After working as a carrier for four years, he was promoted to delivery supervisor in 1983. "I liked being a carrier," Vasquez said. "I enjoyed the customers, but I didn't feel fulfilled. I wanted to do more."
Vasquez was promoted to superintendent of postal operations in 1986 and worked out of the St. James Station in downtown San Jose. He developed a love of that station, both because of his co-workers and because of the old-world atmosphere that permeates the interior architecture, he said.
He was promoted to station manager in 1987. He served at the Robertsville Station and then transferred back to St. James in 1989.
After working as acting postmaster for several stations, he was promoted to the postmaster position in Saratoga this month.
Postmasters are generally reviewed by a board of three that includes one postmaster and two postal executives. The results are turned over to the district manager for the final decision.
"I'm very optimistic," the soft-spoken Vasquez said. "I'm very excited about being here."
Vasquez emphasized that he wants to become involved in Saratoga.
"I feel as if Saratoga has a strong sense of community," he said. "I want to see a strong bond between the post office and this city."
Vasquez lives in San Jose with his wife and three children.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, February 26, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.