Justice of the Peace
Newsletter
Autumn 2007
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In This
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FINAL CT JUSTICE OF THE PEACE CONFERENCE OF THE YEAR |
As an experiment, this year we decided to hold
three regional half-day meetings rather than one
central full-day conference for Connecticut JPs. With two already down
and one to go, we think that it was a good idea. By locating the
sessions at outlying areas of the state, we reached JPs who might not
otherwise have attended (though we are gratified that quite a few JPs
who attended earlier conferences came back as well). About 30 JPs
attended the conference in Haddam on Oct. 27 and an equal number the
session in Newtown on Nov. 3.
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Brief slideshows of the Haddam (left) and Newtown (right) events are on the jpUS website. |
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As of today, however, it looks like a much smaller conference will take place in Union next Saturday. JPs in Tolland and Windham Counties are poorly represented on www.findaJP.com, because most don't know about the JP Association -- and therefore they don't know about the conference either! So this is an invitation to all JPs who receive this newsletter and haven't attended an earlier conference to come to Union, the smalles
t
town in Connecticut (population about 750). We visited Union Town Hall last weekend, right off
I84, and it's a great facility for our meeting. There's no "town" per se, but there is
the Traveler Restaurant -- and it's totally charming and makes the trip to Union
more than worthwhile. You're encouraged to take a few used books with
you when you leave. Let's do lunch there after the
conference, okay?It's Unanimous: Keep the Deposit!
My rule is unless the circumstances are extenuating, I do not refund for a cancellation. You are a service provider. You held the date and turned down other opportunities. Keep the deposit, you are entitled to it! Janice Favreau , South Windsor, CT
I require a nonrefundable deposit in order to book my services for a wedding. I make it very clear to the couple that any changes to the day, time or location or if the ceremony is cancelled will result in the forfeit of the deposit. It's a difficult situation, but I have never had a canceling couple question it. In fact, I have had couples call to re-book, sending another deposit at that time. Sally Masters, Easthampton, Massachusetts
Before a JP even starts to perform marriages, they should have their "Office Procedures" down properly. These procedures should include, amongst other things: down payments; payments in full; what is refundable; what is not. Now when the question comes up as to should you return the down payment, you have a written policy to go by. Personally, I have a policy that if the wedding is cancelled in less than 24 hours before the event, I am entitled to full payment of the services.
Having done over one thousand ceremonies, I have had a few "no shows" who hadn't paid. I wrote them off as crude & rude. When the wedding is cancelled and I'm given enough notice, I will refund the money. Now, I tell them there is a $50 cancellation fee. Some have come back to get married, so it's like, "Don't burn any bridges...you might have to re-cross it again!" Larry Gemma, Groton CT
I had a similar experience (as Sandra Bullock) with a couple who had opted to pay my entire fee up front. A couple of weeks before the wedding, they emailed me to say they had hired a minister and booked a church. I wished them well and was prepared to refund HALF their fee. Well, the groom got so nasty I finally told him that if given the option, I would decline to perform their wedding. In my opinion he had some anger management issues that I felt should be a warning to any woman about to enter a marriage with him. Red flag Ms. Bride-To-Be, this guy handles stress and conflict by screaming, swearing and threatening. I refunded his entire fee and said a prayer for the very sweet woman he was about to marry. Lynn Fredricksen, North Haven, CT<
I ask each couple to sign a short form stating that the deposit they send is not refundable. As the wedding planning continues and they make additional payments, I keep the fees I have collected. What prompted this policy was a bride who decided to use another JP the month before the wedding (after a year of planning with me) and wanted her deposit back. I refused. She was not pleased. Now all my couples know that the deposit is not refundable. Judy Nelson, Chelmsford, MA
Still Seeking French-Speaking JP in NH
A Bride-to-be Asks (again): I'm still hoping to find someone hiding out somewhere. The wedding date is set for June 28, 2008. We are considering reception sites, either in the Lakes Region of NH or along the seacoast. Since his side of the family is flying over from France, I thought it would be nice if we could find a JP who speaks French, even if he/she isn't fluent, but just able to speak the basics and read translations of the ceremony.
Richard C. Authier, Springfield MA kindly "sent me the texts he often uses so that I can just have someone read the French portion." He wrote: Of course there is no fee - just a further knowledge that we JP's are nice people."
Let us know if you or a JP you know qualifies and we'll send you the contact information.
Let us know if you wish to add "civil unions" to your findaJP listing when they become legal on Jan 1, 2008.
Obituary: JP Robert N. Rue, of Niantic, CT
After a brief illness, Dr. Robert N. Rue passed away on September 3, 2007. Over the years, he had performed hundreds of weddings and civil unions, acting as both minister and Justice of the Peace. In August, he married his youngest daughter Julie, to Matt Browne. Dr. Rue's other career was in higher ed. He served as president of several colleges, including Mohegan Community College (now Three Rivers) where he was the founding president.
Not only did copies of certified vital records go up in Connecticut last July 1 (from $5 to $10), but also in Vermont, from $9.50 to $10.00. Thanks to Annette Cappy, Brattleboro Town Clerk, for letting us know.
I feel charges for the copy of the marriage certificate is highway robbery.....paper is so cheap, I feel this is terrible. I realize nothing can be done at this time, just a comment. Ruth MacDonald, Lisbon, CT
... and CT's Vital Records Law Changes
On Oct. 1, Public Act No. 07-79 went into effect, specifically requiring marriages and civil unions to be conducted by and in the physical presence of the officiant. Gov. Jodi Rell signed the bill on May 30. The new law also clarifies that only JPs appointed in Connecticut are legal officiants in the state. (By contrast, federal judges and judges of other states who may legally join persons in marriage in their jurisdictions may officiate in Connecticut.)
jpUS Member Carol Merletti's
Best Wedding Ever
JP Carol J. Merletti, Malden MA married a New York couple on the Green Monster at Fenway Park during the seventh-inning stretch at the last game of the regular season. The couple, Annette Achilles and Larry Rine, wore Red Sox shirts with “Mr.” and “Mrs.” stitched on the back, while the bride carried a ball of red and white roses. An avid Red Sox fan, Carol said, "This clearly was the most exciting ceremony that I have ever performed. The fact that the couple reside in New York, sitting in the Monster Seats for the first time, and having the fans around us cheer us on made it all the more exciting.”
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Are you listed on
findaJP.com? |
Saul Haffner saulhaffner@jpus.org