Sitting behind her computer and flipping through a thick white binder, Susan Saulnier, administrative manager for the Parks Department, is covering for her coworker. For some, that may not be something they’re happy to do, but Saulnier doesn’t mind – this coworker is different. 

“We're best friends,” Saulnier said. “We met early on. We were close to the same age. We had our kids around the same time. We just had a lot in common.” 

Although Saulnier is on a tight deadline, she refuses to call her friend for help. She doesn’t want to interrupt her well-earned time off, but more importantly, she doesn’t want to interrupt her honeymoon. 

“I was her maid of honor during the wedding,” Saulnier said. “It was special. She was beautiful, and I really appreciated her including me. I’ve gotten to know her family and her in-laws a little bit. They're all just wonderful people, and I consider them all my friends.” 

Saulnier has been Harris County Precinct 4’s jill-of-all-trades for 25 years. Her day-to-day tasks include everything from payroll and purchasing, to helping improve Precinct 4’s parks by overseeing contracts with sports associations, suggesting new fixtures, and helping the public make reservations.  

Throughout her time at Precinct 4, Saulnier has watched the area grow and change. Since redistricting, she no longer lives in the Precinct, but she said she appreciates learning about and visiting parts of Harris County she may not have otherwise explored. 

“It's been such fun for me to see all these other parts of Houston,” Saulnier said. “I've lived in Houston my whole life. I'm now in parts of Houston that I've never visited. I like seeing the different communities. I feel like I'm expanding my knowledge.” 

While many of Saulnier’s coworkers who became dear friends have left the Precinct, their photos and mementos have never left her office. Framed photos of her and past coworkers sit on her file cabinets, handwritten notes left by her friends and coworkers in the parks department are laminated and hung inside the cabinet behind her chair, and an autographed yardstick handed down to her from her retired coworkers sits above her desk.  

Thankfully, through it all, her best friend of 25 years has never left. 

“She’s been somebody that I can rely on,” Saulnier said. “I've spent a lot of time in her office complaining, crying, laughing. She got me through some really hard days here at work. She got me through some really hard times outside of work and my personal life. Without her there to listen to me and for me to get all that stuff off my chest, I don't know that I'd make it here or there or at home without her.” 

Saulnier is nowhere near close to the end of her journey at Precinct 4. She hopes to be here assisting projects, parks, and employees for years to come.  

As Saulnier finishes up payroll, she gives a piece of advice to Precinct 4’s ever-expanding list of new employees and interns. 

“It’s a great environment. Be patient. The days are long; the years fly by. Make some really good friends – that will make those years go by faster,” Saulnier said.