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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 21, 1994                   TAG: 9412210112
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                 LENGTH: Short

ALLEN'S GREETINGS RING A BIT HOLLOW

At least 250 of the cards, including those sent to Democratic and Republican legislators, contain no greeting.

Jay Timmons, the governor's chief of staff, said cards were intended to contain notes from Allen; his wife, Susan; and their children, Forrest and Tyler. The blank cards mistakenly were mixed up with cards containing a printed message, Timmons said.

``It was human error,'' he said.

But to members of the General Assembly, particularly Democrats, the cards were symbolic of an administration that some feel has reserved its worst news for Christmas.

``I thought it was his Christmas message in full,'' said Sen. Clarence Holland, D-Virginia Beach.

``Under the Freedom of Information Act, I want to know exactly what the message was,'' joked Sen. Elliot Schewel, D-Lynchburg.

The card should have read: ``Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season.''