OMG, LOL or Cry, No Wait - So NOT Funny, WTF?!

Barbara Ward-Finneran



Kindly pay attention, that's Barbara, capital W, a, r, d, hyphen, capital F,i,n,n,e,r,a,n.  I have spelt my name that way for over 17 years now and have often had to verbalize it in just that way to be sure it is correct in the system.  My attention to detail matters not, if the person you are dealing with in the "system" is not a detail person.  Is it absolutely beyond a reasonable deduction to expect a government agency to get something right?!

I know it's not the usual day for "Random Rants".......... But, I need to VENT!

The last 18 hours, minus the few spent sleeping, have been a nonstop sticky, messed up, gigantic tangle of red tape.  And, that's putting it mildly! Paper pushing, bureaucratic, nonsense, that equaled a system error in epic proportions for me personally.

I am not in shock by the fact that "the system" has issues. Having battled with the Social Security system for years for both my husband and son, I know it's the exception, rather then the rule that things get done right the first time.  I am all too aware that that usually that means I have to spend time and energy to correct situation and "help" someone do THEIR job.  I am used to being an advocate.  I am just not usually the "victim" who needs assistance.

Last fall I got a ticket.  I was pulled over for rolling through, stopping and rolling through, a stop sign. The sun was in my eyes and I was trying to see the intersection better, however this did not qualify as a "full stop".  It stinks, but fine, my bad.  The officer ran my license, and told me it was clean.  Never a violation since it was issued in Florida 1993. I would have been home free, except that after pulling over I immediately unbuckled to reach my purse on the passenger side floor. The officer showed mercy on me and wrote a warning citation for the safety belt, explaining that it was a lesser fine and NOT a moving violation.  In the scheme of things - all good.  I proceeded to pay the citation at the "Clerk of Courts" on the last day possible as funds are always low.

Yesterday I took a "mental health day" to see old friends in Orlando and spend some quality time with my kids.  It was an amazing day.  The boys were tickled that I braved the roller coaster, (So not my favorite!) not once but twice.  We stayed late despite the school night and after goodbyes headed the 78 miles home.  The first 60 of them uneventful.......

As I drove down US-1, blue and red lights appear.  At second glance I realize they are directly behind me.  So I pull over and unbuckle nothing!  One of my sons is out cold and the other now is wide eyed with concern.  The officer announces to me that I was doing 54 in a 45.  I though I was still in the 55 zone.  I sigh and get out the items requested, thinking, "UGH, my first real ticket".

The lady officer then calls to me from the back of my car, after running the stuff through the system, "Mrs. Finneran, please step out of the car." My heart instantly races.  This CAN'T be good.  She proceeds to tell my that my license was suspended due to an unpaid citation.  Mortified and practically speechless I very politely explain that I paid it.  DMV only shows the suspension she explains.  In addition to the speeding ticket, I will not be given back my license and this is a criminal offense. At this point, shaking and fighting back tears, and panicked - wondering if I am about to be arrested with my eleven & nine year old watching out the back window of my Sentra.

A second officer arrives.  They talk.  Come back to me and say, I will need to appear in court but will be allowed to leave the scene.  However, I cannot drive the car home.  I cannot even drive it to a better lit area while I wait for help.  The fear of being arrested now replaced by the immediate concern of waiting here in the dark isolated area with my kids.  Long story short... one of the officers stayed with me.  They went above and beyond while we sat there and researched my claim that I had paid the violation.  She walked back to my car to hand me a note she wrote.  On it was information about the paid citation from the clerk of courts office.  She invited  me to look at the computer screen in her squad car.  I walked over and she asked me to read it carefully.  There was my former license on the screen, I read on and get to the payment information.  Barbara Wardfinneran was what appeared.  The clerk of court records apparently would not reconcile with DMV's as they were different names.  I stammer, but my photo and driver ID number is there.  She shakes her head saying it what is entered into the system that matters.  "So, you've seen this before, I'm not the only one?" I exclaim.  "Not the first case like this I've seen".

I have spent hours and hours today to rectify the fact that my license was suspended for a non-moving violation ticket that I paid.  DMV is painful at best under the best of circumstances - but wicked, wicked, wicked, when you no longer have a valid licence.  The second trip back to DVM with all the papers they asked me to bring back.  Now armed with my certified birth certificate, certified marriage license, social security card & W2 form, the car title, a bank statement and two utility bills, paid the $115.00 fine and I was granted a valid FL State Drivers license at 4pm.

It's been a day. I got nothing else done but fix an epic failure that was beyond my control. I will not get this time back or day's pay I lose to go to court.  I will, however, fight to get the fine back and clear my name at my required criminal court appearance next month.  Another perfect example of doing EVERYTHING you are supposed to do and someone else NOT DOING THEIR JOB!

To take a glass is half full approach and move forward, as Dawn said to me on the phone today, "Things happen for a reason." Yes, I can appreciate that fact. I am beyond thankful that I was not arrested.  It is a blessing of sorts that I now know that I unknowingly and unintentionally was driving illegally. (You'd of thought I have been notified! -That's another blog yet to be born.) Had I been in an accident I'd have probably wound up in lock up even if I wasn't at fault.  I am now in possession of a license valid until 2020 and sporting a picture of the thinner me.

In the past 48 hours validated a few things that I know for sure;
- This too will pass.
- I  like the new photo on my ID of the thinner me.
- Come next month, post my court appearance, I'm certain it will become just another story to tell - by then it might even seem funny.
- The system sucks. and...
- My bruise hurts - "Skinny girls" get beat up on roller coaster rides! :)

Now, since my kids are at sleepover for the evening, an adult beverage is in my future!
CHEERS!  Here's to a great weekend!  Dare I say it couldn't get worse.... LOL