SILVER CREEK, NY — The Silver Creek Post Office is celebrating the installation of its 28th postmaster and also, 31 years of safe driving by one of its employees. Stephen J. Cooley has been promoted to the position of postmaster of the Silver Creek Post Office. At his installation ceremony, Mr. Cooley will be honoring Rural Carrier Michael Kreuter with the National Safety Council’s Million Mile award for 31 years of accident-free driving.

The installation and award ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 2 at noon inside the Silver Creek Post Office, 37 Main Street.

Stephen Cooley began his postal career in 1978 as a rural carrier in Fredonia. He has held several craft positions including instructor at the rural academy, member of the district joint steering committee and crisis management teams, and Senior Assistant State Steward for the New York State Rural Letter Carriers Association.

Mr. Cooley also has extensive experience in management including higher level assignments as the acting supervisor of customer services in Fredonia and officer in charge at the Dunkirk, Silver Creek and Farnham Post Offices. He most recently served as the Perrysburg Postmaster.

According to Derek Spencer, Manager of Post Office Operations for the Western New York District, candidates for postmaster positions are selected competitively through a series of interviews. Education, work experience, and capabilities pertinent to the assignment are evaluated prior to acceptance.

“Today’s Postal Service requires a vast array of skills to work with our customers, maintain our retail and delivery operations, and manage our complex network of employee programs,” explained Derek Spencer. “One of the strengths of the Postal Service is our commitment to our employees in bringing them up through the ranks. I am delighted that Stephen Cooley’s talents and interests will deliver to the residents and businesses of Silver Creek in an expanded capacity. That’s good news for us all.”

In the same year that Postmaster Cooley was hired, Silver Creek Rural Carrier Michael Kreuter started the safe driving trend that would eventually earn him the National Safety Council’s Million Mile award. “Michael and I started down the same road as rural carriers 31 years ago,” said Cooley. “I know from experience how impressive his accident-free record truly is. I’m very proud of his accomplishment and glad we can share this celebratory day!”

As a note, the Silver Creek Post Office was established in 1825 as the Fayette Post Office. In 1826 the Post Office name was changed to Silver Creek.

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