Post office prepares for tax rush on Tuesday
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

While many Americans will be sweating things out Tuesday - the April 15 deadline for filing your 2007 tax return - the day will be business as usual at the Wharton Post Office.

"We aren't going to be making any arrangements to stay late," Wharton Postmaster Wilma Destin said.

"The one concession I am making is that we will have both our windows open until 4:30 p.m. for individual service. And the final pickup deadline at our box will still be 5 p.m."

Other USPS locations in Wharton County have been instructed to follow their normal day as well, USPS Southwest Area Spokesman Dave Lewin said.

"We're trying to consolidate our collections operations," he said in a phone interview.

"There are some security issues for customer identity and for our personnel with extended hours.

"It will also allow us to get a jump start on getting the mail through our processing center and headed to Austin."

In Houston, there will be two locations open until midnight for late filers. They are the Houston Main Post Office at 401 Franklin and the Foxbrook Finance Unit at 7231 FM 1960 in Humble, according to a USPS news release.

Customers seeking information on the location nearest to them with extended hours are encouraged to visit usps.com or call the 24 hour toll-free number, 1-800-ASK-USPS (800-275- 8777).