Postmaster Green is leaving Sisters

Pat Green has commuted to her position as Sisters Post Master through rain, sleet and snow. But the high price of gas has proven too much. This month the Crooked River Ranch resident will leave her position for the same title in the Terrebonne Post Office. Green is trading an hour-and-a-half daily commute for one she could manage on her bike.

The folks who work with her would do just about anything to keep her.

“I even offered to buy her gas,” joked contract carrier Tracie Clark.

Clark and the other employees at the post office are sad to see Green go. Green feels the same way.

“This is a fantastic crew and they’re really working their hearts out,” said Green. “This is the best place I’ve ever worked.”

Green has made several changes in her four years in Sisters. Due to the growth of the community, she needed to add 1,000 new deliveries. She added retail products to the lobby such as specialty mailing boxes. She also added passport services.

“We’re the smallest post office in Oregon that offers passports,” said Green.

Green will miss a big change for the Sisters Post Office when it moves into a brand new 5,000-square-foot building. Green said the larger building is long overdue because the current building is too crowded for the volume of mail now coming in and out of Sisters. However, the project was put on hold due to Hurricane Katrina because the U.S. Postal Service needed to rebuild post offices in the affected area first.

“Now we’re back on track. Money is set aside,” said Green.

The new building site has not yet been determined. Green expects doors to open in two years.

Green’s employees think very highly of her.

“She’s the best postmaster I’ve ever worked for in 26 years,” said clerk Micheal Partridge. He praises her flexibility and commitment to making things work for both employees and customers.

Carol Radd will remember Green as the person who gave her a chance when no one else would. Radd had served as a mail carrier for 25 years when she chose to move to Sisters and hoped to find a less-physical clerk job. Green offered the training she needed to move into a new position.

“Because of her, she saved my career. I just really thank her for that,” said Radd.

Green’s 31-year career with the Postal Service has included serving as a mail carrier, clerk, and being postmaster in six different offices.

“I’ve had the Post Office longer than I’ve had my husband,” said Green.

Green said she is looking forward to meeting her own neighbors by working in the Terrebonne office. Then in a few years, she’ll join her husband in retirement.

“It’s been a challenge the whole way but I’ve loved every minute of it,” said Green.

Camp Sherman’s Postmaster Karen Sheldahl will serve as the Officer in Charge for the next few months until Green’s position is filled.