Love in the Air

Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs announced this week she will perform her first marriage ceremony on Valentine’s Day.

The mayor made the announcement during her monthly visit to the Senior Center.

“The floodgates have opened. A slew of people have come forward,” Robinson-Briggs said.

During her State of the City address last month, the mayor said she will perform civil union ceremonies for same-sex couples. Gov. Jon Corzine signed legislation in December allowing civil unions. Mayors who perform marriage ceremonies must also agree to perform civil union ceremonies.

But same-sex couples will not be able to join in civil unions on Valentine’s Day – the earliest they can do so is Feb. 23. Here’s the official application.

Gay American and new Plainfielder James E. McGreevey has said he wants to have a civil union with partner Mark O’Donnell, but the former governor is still legally married to his wife, Dina Matos McGreevey. Until the pending divorce is final, he can’t enter into a civil union.

Meanwhile, expect to see some rice mixed with the ice melt pellets in front of City Hall on Wednesday.

--Bernice Paglia