David Watts has assumed duties of Officer-In-Charge (OIC) at Aragon’s Post Office, effective May 31.

Watts formerly held a position at Temple and is the postmaster in Lindale where an OIC has been assigned while he is in Aragon.

“The Lindale Post Office has a slightly larger box section than the one in Aragon,” he said. “Both sites have three routes.”

Watts said he is learning the system in Aragon and may consider applying for the permanent postmaster position when it becomes available.

One incentive is the 30-mile cut on a round trip from his home in Dallas to Aragon instead of Lindale.



“This is a big savings considering the current price of gasoline,” he added.

In addition, he has received a warm welcome from people in the community and postal staff.

“I have enjoyed my 28 years with the postal service,” Watts explained. “It involves more than putting mail in a box whether you are a clerk or rural carrier.”

He was hired in 1981 after applying for a job in Powder Springs.

Since that time, he said he has experienced many changes in the mail delivery system. He believes the greatest was automation.

“In the 1980s, all the mail was manually distributed,” he said. “Automation brought a cost-saving, efficient process. Even smaller post offices have letter mail put in order so that it is in correct sequence for delivery.”

When sorting by hand, Watts said the carrier had to be able to read everyone’s writing prior to delivery.



“Years ago, all you needed was the route and box number,” he added. “You now need a nine digit zip code, which assures that mail can be broken down into a block on the street even if the number is wrong and the street name is misspelled.”

He commented on changes anticipated in the Atlanta area within the next two to five years.

“I understand a machine is on the way which will do the same for magazines as is now done with letter mail.”

Watts and his wife Karen have two children, Jennifer and Jonathan.