Today, Congressman Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township) introduced legislation dedicating two Oakland County post offices in honor of past community leaders. The bills designate the Hazel Park Post Office as the “Roy E. Dickens Post Office” and the Bloomfield Township Post Office as the “Dr. Ezra S. Parke Post Office.”
After his tenure with the U.S. Army, Roy Eugene Dickens joined the Hazel Park Police Department in 1967 and retired from duty in 1995. He went to work as a court officer until 2010, making him the longest-serving public official in Hazel Park’s history.
Dr. Ezra S. Parke was the first-ever postmaster in Bloomfield Township. Dr. Parke embodies the longstanding presence of the U.S. Postal Service in the Bloomfield Township community and its centrality in the life of its residents.
“I’m proud to honor two important individuals who capture the essence of local public service” said Congressman Levin. “I hope these postal facilities will continue to remind the residents of Hazel Park and Bloomfield Township of the incredible people who helped ensure the safety and longevity of their communities.”
“Roy E. Dickens was a life-long resident of the City of Hazel Park, Michigan (other than the 3 years when he enlisted in the military and was stationed in Germany). When he returned home, he became the owner and operator of the Clark Gas Station at John R. and Shevlin and remained there until he was hired by the City of Hazel Park to begin his career as a City of Hazel Park Police Officer, where he did the job he truly loved for the next 30 years. When he retired from the Police Department, he began working for the 43rd District Court also in Hazel Park and was employed there for 15 years” said the family of Roy E. Dickens. “As his family, we are so grateful and appreciative that this designation of the post office is in his honor. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, uncle and resident of Hazel Park who is greatly missed by his family and all that knew him.”
“Roy Dickens was a fixture in the City of Hazel Park. A longtime police officer and a longtime court officer, he worked for our city for many years. Throughout his colorful career in law enforcement, he amassed a collection of the most amazing stories” said Hazel Park City Manager Edward Klobucher. “I'm so pleased that Congressman Levin is honoring him with this post office dedication. It is a fitting honor for Hazel Park's longest serving employee.”
“It was an honor to be involved in picking the name of Dr. Ezra S. Parke for the Bloomfield Post Office. Working with the Bloomfield Historical Society to find the right person was an adventure in reliving the stories of early Bloomfield Township residents, as well as the pioneers in our postal service” said Bloomfield Township Supervisor Dani Walsh. “Dr. Parke was an early resident in 1822, our first postmaster from 1824-1836, and the Township's first Clerk from 1827-1844. Thank you to Congressman Levin for including the Township in the dedication process.”
These two bills will be referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. Once all members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation cosponsor each designation, they will be discharged to the full House of Representatives for a final vote.
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/levin-honors-community-leaders-post-office-dedications
