The council's rational was that it would prevent young and massively popular incumbent mayor Gordon Mowrer from holding office for decades.

[2] As mayor, Marcincin is best remembered for creating Musikfest as part of his effort to revitalize the city following the closure of the Bethlehem Steel plant.

He successfully won re-election for a second term and continued to push his redevelopment of the city including working with first lady Rosalynn Carter on renovation projects.

Following his successful election to a third term the city successfully appealed the case to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania voiding the remainder of Marcincin's term with his predecessor, Gordon Mowrer, being named interim mayor for 10 months until elections were held in November.

[6] Marcincin had 8 sibilings, three sisters; Margaret, Dorothy and Elizabeth, and five brothers; Felix, Joseph, John, Frank, and Philip.