Local Voices
Hopatcong Has Decades of Fabled Weddings Performed By the Mayor
Married by a Hopatcong Mayor in 1939, Son Becomes Mayor to Marry Others
Valentine’s Day has an important significance to former Hopatcong Mayor Cliff Lundin. He fondly remembers February 11th as his parents’ anniversary. Lundin’s parents eloped to Hopatcong on Valentines weekend in 1939 and were married by Mayor Fred Modick. This year would be their 81st anniversary. Could his parents have ever imagined that 50 years later their son too would be joining hearts in matrimony as Hopatcong’s mayor?
Mayor Cliff Lundin performed 208 weddings over 8 years of his administration. It was far more ceremonies than he ever anticipated doing. He also did not anticipate all the nontraditional venues that couples wanted done. As an experienced boater and hiker, his outdoor skills were tapped for performing these ceremonies. These wedding locations had the mayor on docks, in boats, on islands and even on the Appalachian Trail.
Fred Modick who married Lundin’s parents had a long career of solemnizing marriages. He was mayor for 32 years.
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Cliff and wife Lauren did not elope but, they kept the tradition his parents started and were married by Mayor Dolores Rivinius of Mount Arlington.
Regarding weddings Lundin states - “It’s another service Mayors do for the residents. In this age of internet ministers, the NJ law has been modified to allow former mayors to now officiate at ceremonies.”
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On January 17, 2014, Governor Christie signed into law, Bill A-2128, a law which includes permitting any former Mayor, who is not currently serving on the municipal governing body to solemnize marriages and civil unions. Former Mayors can coordinate with their Municipal Clerk for appropriate forms, instructions and guidelines associated with the ceremonies. Included are registration guidelines, application for license, declaration of identifying witness and guidelines for individual performing a marriage or civil union ceremony.
With this 2014 law, is Mayor Cliff Lundin eyeing to break any wedding records left by Mayor Fred Modick? Lundin remains an avid hiker and even owns a few kayaks. He can still reach Lake Hopatcong’s most unique wedding locations.
