Justice
of the Peace
Newsletter
Vol. 7 Issue 6
October 2009
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In This
Issue: |
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Do JPs Need More Favorable Press? Saul Haffner posed that question in the last newsletter. Here are some responses: "Some of the local papers in my state no longer offer free wedding announcements. And the price is not cheap. Because of this, I have also seen a decline in wedding photos and engagement announcements in 2009. I think this cost is something that many couples do not include in their wedding budget. How do we fix it? 1) Why not work with other web sites like "THE KNOT" to see if someone would be interested in putting couples' photos on for all to see who use JP's. That way it will not be few, it will be many! 2) Maybe we can come up with a way to reach parents to share their children's proud day. 3) A third is to ask newspapers to offer a discount to couples who use JP services." Sean Mowad, Connecticut JP "I think it's a good idea for us to encourage our couples to place their wedding announcements in the local papers. I sometimes email the wedding announcement form from favorite newspapers to the couple to make it easier for them. I think I will do it more often now. We've had a busy summer officiating as justices of the peace for many couples coming to CT to wed from all around the country." Joe Mustich, Washington CT JP "I think appearance is very important. I've been a JP for nearly 10 yea  rs. Up until last year, I wore simply a suit and tie and read
from copy paper. Then I started using a book to hold my reading, a
black tuxedo with a mandarin collar button and a
white stole that I bought from
jpUS.org. Also worked on my verbal delivery, slowing it down
some and adding more emphasis. At a recent wedding, I was working my
way through the invited guests when a man noticed himself in the way
and said, "Oh, sorry Reverend." I quickly and honestly corrected
him, but I wonder who else thinks the same? The respect the Reverend
receives. I receive many good remarks after the ceremony."
Rick Tate, Dover, NH Come to a JP Conference Remember to sign up for one of three morning meetings for JPs this fall. They are in Connecticut but out-of-state JPs are also welcome. Here are the dates and locations:
Saturday, Oct. 24 Griswold CT
Saturday, Oct. 31 Barkhamsted CT Saturday, Nov. 7 Weston CT Admission is $30 for jpUS members, $35 for non-members, which includes continental breakfast, gifts and the program. Get more details and sign up here. Another Reminder: CT License Law Changes Oct. 1 Couples must now obtain their marriage license in the town where the marriage is to take place. No longer will they have the option of getting the license in their home town (unless it's one and the same). We'll discuss the reasons for this change at the conferences. 09/09/09 Carol Merletti, Malden MA JP, writes: "While I have married many couples at Fenway Park, I have never married three couples there all in the same day. But 09/09/09 was a very meaningful day for Sox lovers to get married at Fenway: one couple flew in from California, one from Pennsylvania, and one lived here in Boston." Yet Another Blog by a JP
The focus of Leo Canty's
blog (Windsor CT JP)
is "working people and workplace issues" but
occasionally touches on being a JP. In this recent post
about health insurance, he discusses the need for health
insurance as a growing reason to get married. "Don’t do
it for love. Do it for a plan."
Connecticut@Work - http://ctatwork.blogspot.com/ ME and WA Weigh Rights of Same-Sex Couples On November 3, 2009, voters in Maine and Washington will consider referenda on recent legislation that protects same-sex couples. In Maine, which in May became the fifth state to pass a marriage equality law (and the first not to be spurred by a prior court ruling), a Yes vote on Proposition 1 is a vote to repeal the law. In Washington, it's the opposite: a Yes vote means you support the extended benefits for registered same-sex domestic partnerships. Not featured on findaJP.com? Join the Justice of the Peace Association and get noticed! |