Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Mark Sobotka new postmaster in Lester Prairie



With a starting point in Willmar, and stops in Hutchinson
and Franklin, Mark Sobotka’s career has found its way to Lester Prairie.

As its new postmaster, Sobotka said that he’s looking forward
to the challenge and also glad to be closer to home.

Sobotka, who lives in Hutchinson with his wife and two
children, was Franklin’s postmaster since February 1999. He commuted to
Franklin, which is about 45 miles southwest of Hutchinson, east of Redwood
Falls.

Franklin is a smaller post office than Lester Prairie,
said Sobotka. The box section here is about three times the size of Franklin’s.

All cash transactions were recorded manually in Franklin;
that is, hand-written in a cash book, said Sobotka. Sales here are saved
to a computer disc and then electronically transmitted to the main office
in Minneapolis.

“The window is a lot busier here, but that just goes
with the office,” said Sobotka.

While employed as Franklin’s postmaster, Sobotka also served
as officer-in-charge at the Stewart, Murdock, and Norwood post offices during
vacancies in those locations.

His postal career began in July 1985 in Willmar where he
worked as a night clerk. As a part-time mail carrier, he walked a city route
from 1987 to 1993. From there he went to Hutchinson in the fall of 1993,
where he was supervisor.

Not particularly enjoying the daily commute from Willmar
to Hutchinson, Sobotka moved his family to Hutchinson.

In Lester Prairie since May 20, Sobotka replaced Aryls
Harwig who retired in February. Sobotka said he welcomes any questions as
to what services the post office offers.

“If they have complaints, that’s okay, too. That’s
part of any business,” said Sobotka. “We’ll try to fix the problem.”

Sobotka said that he looks forward to getting to know the
local businesses and school.

“I want to provide the best service possible for them,
so that they can work more efficiently,” he said.

Sobotka pointed to bright yellow stickers that dotted the
walls and file cabinets of the office. They read:

“Every piece, every day.”

The Postal Service’s slogan, he said, is what they strive
to do.

“Mail every piece to its destination, if possible,”
Sobotka said.

And like any good postmaster, he advised on how to correctly
address an envelope; have the box number, or, if there isn’t a box number,
the street address directly above the city and state.

“And don’t forget the ZIP code,” he smiled.

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