- Lucy Llewellyn Byard
- Posted On
New Lakeport postmaster takes oath of office
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport’s newest postmaster has officially taken office.
Benjamin C. Lovato, 37, was sworn in as postmaster of Lakeport Post Office at the Lakeport Hartley Masonic Lodge No. 199 on Thursday evening.
In front of a crowd of around 50 people, retired Judge Richard Martin administered the oath of office to Lovato.
Seven postmasters from as far away as Garberville and Pt. Reyes attended the swearing in, along with Lovato’s family, staff and friends.
Lovato told the crowd, “I’m going to continue to make sure that Lakeport provides great customer service, like we always have. I strive everyday to make sure that my staff, myself, are a key component in this community. We want to make sure the community is happy with us.”
“Ben is going to make a great Postmaster,” said Judge Martin after the swearing in. “He’s good with the customers and goes out of his way to help. He’s good to his staff, they’re happy and it’s a more friendly environment since he’s taken over.”
“It is an honor,” Lovato said, “to come back to Lakeport where I first started with the Post Office back in 2005. I will continue my dedication to the Post Office, continue this great legacy of connecting America and this world, as we have been doing for 242 years, since 1776 when Benjamin Franklin was the first Postmaster.”
Lakeport’s first postmaster was sworn in 1867. Lovato, now the 28th postmaster of Lakeport, stands in good company in the long lineage of the United States Post Office.
Lucy Llewellyn Byard is a freelance correspondent for Lake County News. She lives in Lucerne.