Unmarried Couple Denied Right to Move In

WWTI (ABC) ^ | 2/23/2006 | United Press International

[Quick1]

A Missouri couple say they were denied an occupancy permit for their new home because they're not married.

Olivia Shelltrack and Fondray Loving have been together for 13 years and have three children, ages 8, 10 and 15, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The couple are appealing the occupancy permit denial from the Black Jack, Mo., board of adjustment, which requires people living together to have blood, marriage or adoption ties. Loving is not the father of Shelltrack's oldest child.

I was basically told, you can have one child living in your house if you're not married, but more than that, you can't, Shelltrack told the newspaper.

This is about the definition of family, not if they're married or not, Mayor Normal McCourt said. It's what cities do to maintain the housing and to hold down overcrowding.

[Quick1]

Unreal. How is having four people in a house overcrowding? I can understand not wanting 20 college kids in a house, but more than 3? This is ridiculous.

I could also certainly use an education on what exactly an occupancy permit is, as I have no idea.

[Eepsy]

Isn't thirteen years long enough for a common law marriage?

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

If the family were illegals, the permit would have been approved plus the family would have received a signed framed picture of GWB to hang on their wall.

[Tax-chick]

I could also certainly use an education on what exactly an occupancy permit is, as I have no idea.

I was wondering about that, too. I don't recall ever being asked for one!

[My2Cents]

Fondray Loving vs. Normal McCourt. You can't make this stuff up.

[GovernmentShrinker]

The "Black Jack, Mo., board of adjustment" is going to get a very quick adjustment from the courts. This matter was decided a long time ago by the Supreme Court.

[My2Cents]

In Arkansas, they're probably considered cousins.

[Tax-chick]

Fondray Loving vs. Normal McCourt. You can't make this stuff up.

(I think they're both men ...)

[Xenalyte]

Good Lord above.

If they've been together for 13 years, how do they have a 15-year-old?

[Xenalyte]

I guess I coulda read the rest of the article . . .

[kenth]

"would have received a signed framed picture of GWB to hang on their wall."

So that's how you get one of those.

[Tax-chick]

LOL - happens to me, too.

[beezdotcom]

from the article...

>> Loving is not the father of Shelltrack's oldest child.

[BadAndy]

"Fondray Loving vs. Normal McCourt. You can't make this stuff up."

Unfortunately we don't have to.

Mix in Shelltrack and Black Jack, MO and it sounds like bad comedy writing.

[wideawake]

It's a condition precedent to closing on a home. Unless the local municipality deems a house fit for occupation and the prospective occupants qualified, then the deal doesn't go through.

It can be revoked (zoned for private occupancy, city finds out it's being used as an impromptu boarding house or group home, etc.)

I had to wait almost two months to move into my new home because the city would not give an OP until there was a regulation paved kerb in front.

[beezdotcom]

I guess I coulda read the rest of the article . . .

I guess I coulda read the rest of the THREAD... :)

[wideawake]

And why aren't they married?

[Tax-chick]

My guess would be that one or both of them is legally married to somebody else.

[wideawake]

Classy.

[madprof98]

And why aren't they married?

Probably they need time to think it over and decide if it's right for them.