What You Need to Know About Deadline Day

Candidates for Hopatcong's council or mayor must file petitions to run by 4 p.m., marking the beginning of election season. Here are 5 Things You Need to Know Today about the race, before the candidates make their final decisions.

1. You Need to Know What's Up For Grabs: Mayor Sylvia Petillo's seat will be open, as well the seats of council President John Young and councilwoman Madeline McManus. Each is expected to run again.
2. You Need to Know What Happened Last November: Mike Francis and Howard Baker retained their council seats.
3. You Need to Know About Changing Affiliations: Candidates have until April 18 to change party affiliations.
4. You Need to Know About Term Length: Mayors get four-year terms. Councilmen get three-year terms.
5. You Need to Know a Little History: Hopatcong's first mayor? R. L. Edwards, whose 18-year term spanned from May 9, 1898 to July 1, 1916. Hopatcong was known was Brooklyn from 1898 to 1901. Fred Modick's 29-year run was the longest, lasting from 1936 to 1965. Only one Hopatcong mayor died in office: Perley Boomer in 1936.