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Everybody ought to have a good tax Dodge Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell KDRV Channel 12 chief photographer Angel Alvarez trades his news camera for a sledgehammer Monday during this year�s "tax Dodge" promotion by radio station KZZE. The station towed the once-pristine Dodge Shadow to several businesses for a good smashing by frustrated taxpayers. Radio station lets taxpayers hammer out frustrations By Dani Dodge They had just filled out their tax forms. And they were irate. But employees at New Stage Auto didn�t have to bottle up all that ire. Monday morning, they took it out on an innocent 1988 Dodge Shadow. KZZE radio station had deemed the vehicle this year�s "tax Dodge." The radio personalities provided a sledgehammer and safety goggles so the auto repairers could do their damnedest on the stoic effigy of the IRS. One big, burly auto repairman crunched the hood of the Dodge with several heavy blows. Another muscle-bound mechanic used an air chisel to carve up the top of the car and peel it back like a sardine can. ("Now it�s a convertible," he bragged.) Another smashed out the side window. But it wasn�t until the wiry little cameraman from KDRV took the sledgehammer in hand that true tax fury was vented. KDRV Channel 12 chief photographer Angel Alvarez handed his television camera to the radio host, jumped on top of the hood of the car, and started banging away at the front like a man possessed. Over and over he raised the sledgehammer up past his shoulder and brought it down again on the top of the frame. Alvarez was panting as he jumped down and reclaimed the camera. He said he was angry about how much of his gross income went to the state and federal government last year, and he said he was frustrated by the inane complexity of the forms. "I just did my taxes today," Alvarez explained. "In the state form, there�s so many numbers you have to look up and know. But I didn�t want to pay someone to do it because I�m only getting $100 back." Normally, news crews try not to get involved in the story, but Alvarez couldn�t help himself. "They asked me if I wanted to do it," he said, shrugging. "I paid a lot (of taxes) � everyone does." Rob King and Holly Davidson, KZZE radio personalities, towed what was left of the "tax Dodge" to a few more locations after the New Stage Auto guys had had their way with it. Their next stop was the Abdill Career College, where women in skirts and high heels slammed the back bumper right off the car. "They went nuts," Davidson said. And there again, a television cameraman got into the action. "Channel 5 started whacking at it too," Davidson said. "You�ve got some hostile cameramen out here." This is the fourth year KZZE has employed this unique promotion on tax return day. "It�s just a stupid little tax relief thing we do," Davidson said. "Since we�re a rock station, we can get away with doing the stupid things. This isn�t for charity, it�s just about bashing a car. "Me and Rob took a couple swings at it, too." Davidson said in the long run, it probably is good for society. "It�s basically you�ve had to fill out all the forms. You don�t understand the language. So if you are lucky enough, we bring the tax Dodge out for you," Davidson said. "You get to beat the car up and feel better. "It�s better than punching out holes in the wall ... or yelling at their spouse." By the end of the morning show, the previously practically pristine car wouldn�t even roll off the trailer. The Action Auto Parts guys had to pick it up and put it in the junk pile with a forklift. Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.