As far as the state of Florida is concerned, Nancy Dello Stritto is the “SQZ A55” woman.
In a story straight out of a sitcom, a 76-year-old Florida woman was surprised when she received her new license plate from the Broward County Property Tax Collector’s office. Dello Stritto knew she was due to receive a new plate because of her vehicle registration renewal, but she was shocked when she opened up the envelope and saw the provocative message that would be displayed on the back of her vehicle.
It read “SQZ A55,” and I’m sure I don’t need to explain that one.
The South Florida resident couldn’t believe what she was seeing, and she told CBS News Miami that her initial thoughts were a) how did this get past the county office and b) she had to return it and get a new one:
“I looked at it and I went, ‘I don’t think so.’ I don’t think a woman who lives in a senior community who is going to be 77 years old next month will be driving around with a plate that has that to say… When I saw that, I went ballistic. I said, ‘How could that pass inspection?'”
It’s a great question.
Like many other states across the country, Florida is typically very strict with what plate submissions say. In this case, Nancy didn’t even request that her license plate read “SQZ A55.” It was just randomly (?) created and then sent to her when she went through with her vehicle registration renewal.
The Florida woman lives in a retirement community, and word of her new license plate quickly became a popular topic of conversation with other residents. And though Dello Stritto is still unhappy with the plate, friends and family have encouraged her to keep it. After all, a message like that would never get through submissions.
Nancy Dello Stritto has the comical license plate that many others would dream of having. So she’s decided to hold onto it, and hopes that she gets some benefits from driving around with that 6 letter/number message written on the rear of her car:
“I’m resigned to it. I figured maybe it was destined for it to be on my car. I can handle it if I get a few honks here and there. Actually, being over 70, I might like a few honks.”
Good on Nancy for embracing the “SQZ A55.” May the license plate bless the soon-to-be 77-year-old for years to come.
And I mentioned it’s a story straight out of a sitcom, right?
If there are any Seinfeld fans out there, I opened this story up with a quote inspired by “The Fusilli Jerry” episode of the classic comedy series. That’s the one where Cosmo Kramer goes to get his new license plate, and just like Nancy, he suddenly becomes the owner of a license plate that’s sure to draw some extra attention.
“Cosmo Kramer, you are the A**man!”
Lot of parallels between Kramer and Dello Stritto’s stories, eh?
