I don't mean to be a problem child...

...really, I don't!    But I think I may be in HOA, um, H-E-double hockey sticks (trying to keep that G rating, folks!)

I may have mentioned that we currently live in Civilian Land.  Even worse, we live in a gated community.  It has an HOA, of course.  We had to renew our lease at the beginning of the summer which also meant renewing our transponders that get us in the gate without having to go through the guard.  Now, it seems that we have to re-register everything again next month because everyone has to do it then.  Apparently, they do this every two years.

This wouldn't be so bad, except I had to go and ask what we needed to do.  As I looked at the overly long list of required documents we have to bring to get this done, one requirement caught my eye.  We need to have valid driver's licenses with our current address. 

As often as we've moved, my driver's license has rarely had my current address on it.  To make matters worse, I had just gotten a license in our previous state less than a year before moving here last year.  We knew coming to this state that we'd only be here two years.  So I made sure that it wasn't required that either of us get a driver's license in this state.  (Some states don't require it of the service member but do require it of the spouse.)   I'm sorry, but there's no way I am spending the money  going to the effort of getting yet another driver's license when I still have years left on my currently valid license.  Especially since state law does not require it!    

When I told the woman to whom I was speaking in no uncertain terms that neither I nor my husband would be getting drivers' licenses in this state, she looked a bit taken aback.  She even said they weren't told what to do if someone refused to do something.  To her credit, she tried to find out if there was a military exception to the rule and then took my information to refer the question to someone on the board.  She probably didn't think it would be a good idea to give me the man's phone number when I asked for it.  And she might've been right.

At least THIS time, if I end up starting trouble, Stretch won't get called on the carpet with his boss...

Comments

[Linda]

they should allow you to use your most current electric or water bill. I know we need to have that for registering kids in school...that should be good enough for an HOA, right?

I ended up getting a new license here, even though I still had 3 years left on my previous one (had a 6 year license, don't ask, I don't know WHY!), and this state didn't require me to get another one. But it was easier to just do it, get registered to vote and then not have to deal with the dirty look I got at the school every time I handed them my KS license!

[Marine Wife]

They won't accept utility bills with your name and address on them. Guess they are above the schools...

[Marine Wife]

Linda, I hear you and if had more than 10 months left to live here, I might consider it, but for 10 months? I don't think so.

[Linda]

well...that's an HOA with a big stick, lol! You could always tell them where to put it...

They will have to make an exception. Your husband is serving our country. They need to get over it!

(BTW, I HATE my HOA here...just sayin')

[David M]

The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 08/28/2009 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.

http://www.thunderrun.us/2009/08/from-front-08282009.html

[kat]

A set of current orders is all that should be necessary. If that is not sufficient, tell them to speak to your husband's boss about it...he lives in D.C. and can be difficult to get on the phone.

Our society should better aligned to the needs and circumstances of the modern military family. Good job on your position of refusal to remit. A set of orders...priceless.

[kat]

Can anyone spell Congressional Complaint?

[Debbie]

Hey there. That is total discrimination. If they are stuck on this go to legal at your husband's command and have them write the HOA a letter. Ask them to emphasize on how your husband is busting his butt for our country. Also let them know that you are trying to keep our state residency which you have every right as the spouse of a service member. The legal rep will know your rights. Don't let them be lazy, press the issue. I am a service member and a USMC spouse so I have been in your shoes. Email me if you have any more questions. :)

[Apryl]

My license expires in 2024 or 2026..I wouldn't be getting a new one either...granted we live in our state of residency..for now.