New postmaster leaves behind Colorado cold for Texas sun
BY DAN PARKER SOUTH JETTY REPORTER

Home to Texas STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER New Port Aransas postmaster Connie Hatton has returned to her home state of Texas after a stint in Colorado. Hatton fills a position vacant for more than a year as interm postmasters filled the spot awaiting a permanent replacement.

Connie Hatton has traded the Colorado cold for the Port Aransas sun.

Hatton is the new postmaster at the Port Aransas Post Office. Her first day was Monday, Aug. 6. Before she was hired, Port Aransas was without a permanent postmaster for more than a year. Acting postmasters filled the spot.

Previously, Hatton was postmaster in Johnstown, a town of about 7,800 about 50 miles north of Denver.

Hatton has been a postal service employee for more than 28 years, beginning in Magnolia, Texas.

Born and raised in Jasper, she said she applied for the Port Aransas job because she heard the Lone Star State calling to her after many years working in Colorado.

"I wanted to come back home before I retired," Hatton said. "I wanted to come back to Texas. … It's good to be back in a place where you can see green all year around."

Hatton said she doesn't have any changes in mind for the Port Aransas office yet.

"Right now, it's just maintaining until I can get my feet wet and then figure out what we can do to improve," she said.

About her philosophy of operating a post office, she said, "Customer service is always Number 1. That's what we're here for. Without our customers, the post office wouldn't be here."

Hatton is married to Carl Hatton, a retired computer technician. They have two children and nine grandchildren.

Hatton replaces Doug Flannagan, the last permanent postmaster in Port Aransas in a series since longtime postmaster Rebecca Castell retired in 2000.