Post Office Clerks Celebrate 25 Years in Butler

• Name: Carol Janicke and Janardan Vyas have worked in the on Main Street, for 25 years. The two started with the United States Postal System (USPS) in 1986, “a day or two apart,” said Janicke. “In the 80’s, this was the most secure job,” explained Vyas.
• Children: 63-year-old Vyas has two kids and four grandkids. “The grandchildren are 7, 6, 5, and 4,” he said.
• Life in Butler: Butler is both home and work for Janicke. She and her husband have been a part of the community for 27 years. Vyas, on the other hand, lives with his wife in central New Jersey. He commutes two hours a day.
• Career: “Someone else was taking the test and suggested that I take the test,” said Janicke. “I did, and the rest is history.” Janicke began as a mail carrier, while Vyas started as a clerk. After only a couple of years, Janicke also became a clerk. Since then, the two have worked side by side. Their name plates list their official titles as “Sales Associates,” but they informally refer to themselves as window clerks. Both can be found at the counter helping customers.
• Favorite Thing About the Post Office: “Basically I am a people-oriented person,” said Vyas. “So, I like dealing with the people.” Janicke agreed. “It’s a great place to meet people, socialize and get to know your neighbors,” she said. “It’s nice to work among friends.”
• Favorite Thing About Butler: “Butler is a nice town,” Vyas said. “Everybody knows everybody, almost. You don’t find that anywhere else.” Janicke’s favorite thing about Butler is that it is her hometown.
• Time Spent at Post Office: 40 hours is the normal work week at the USPS. However, mail quantities vary with the seasons. “Obviously, it’s extremely busy during the holidays and slower in the summer,” explained Janicke. “But, as soon as the kids go back to school, it picks up.” Another busy time is tax season.
• Working Relationship: The two employees have enjoyed their time together at the counter. “It’s perfect,” said Vyas of their working relationship. “Yeah,” agreed Janicke. “I call him my work husband. There’s no fighting. He gets to go home, and I don’t have to deal with him.”
• Retirement: Both Janicke and Vyas plan to stay at least another five years. “I may stay longer,” said Janicke. “I haven’t decided. We’ll see how the economy is, whether I can afford to retire.”
• Hobbies Watching football and tennis are Vyas’ hobbies. Janicke noted that she used to make jewelry and sell it. “But I retired out of that,” she said. “Now, I just mostly work.”
• Philosophy: “Take it easy and live the best,” said Vyas. Janicke added, “One day at a time.”

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