
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 17, 1990                   TAG: 9004170390
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: TRACY VAN MOORLEHEM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PAYERS PLAY AT POST OFFICE

Carolyn Murray came to the post office in her fuzzy slippers at 9 p.m., having finished her tax forms half an hour earlier while watching "Major Dad" on TV.

"I've never paid this late before," she said, "but I had to file self-employment tax this year and it was a huge headache, a horrendous job."

But as she walked up to the post office, envelope in hand, disc jockeys gave her complimentary stamps for her return and a costumed Uncle Sam gave her a PayDay bar. Cheerful volunteers stood ready to offer free soda pop, pizza and coffee and listen sympathetically to tax horror stories.

She appreciated the hoopla. "It makes you feel a little better about coming."

For the third consecutive year, the main Roanoke post office stayed open until midnight Monday to accommodate last-minute filers.

"There has been a steady stream of people all night," said Cathy Cox, a postal employee. She enjoys the carnival atmosphere but said that some filers may not. "Some of those that had to write a big check aren't in much of a partying mood."

Most seemed to enjoy the occasion, however. Ron Cronise of Roanoke had so much fun last year that he intentionally waited until the last minute to file this year.

One filer drove two hours from Bath County to file his taxes because the Warm Springs post office did not extend its hours. Why did he wait until Monday night? "My tax preparer is slow," said Tom Wolfe.

The post office expected between 3,000 and 4,000 filers between 6 p.m. and midnight, according to Rick Smoot, post office account representative.

Each post office can decide whether to stay open late on tax day as a public service, he said. "Where else can you have a free dinner, almost, when you pay your taxes?" he said.

WROV-FM distributed stamps, soda pop and station memorabilia and played music for the filers. "It's a party atmosphere. Most of these people want to keep their money as long as they can," said Jeff Dickerson, a nighttime DJ at WROV. "Can you blame them?"

by CNB