WEST MILFORD Can a coupon be considered a bribe? Local Republicans say yes. The Democrats say no. The Prosecutors Office says it doesn’t know. The furor began two weekends ago when the Republicans noticed that the Democratic council candidates had a coupon at the bottom of a handout. Jim Geist and Jim Rauth, the Democratic candidates, had been campaigning door-to-door. At homes where no one answered they left a piece of literature that hung on the door knob. It said “Sorry we missed you,” and asked for the reader’s vote. At the bottom was a clip-off coupon for $25 off any repair over $100 from Miller’s Towne Tire & Automotive. The state statutes governing elections state pretty clearly that candidates cannot give voters money, or things of monetary value, or any incentive to gain votes. Republican Councilman Carmen Scangerello believes the coupon falls squarely in that category. Several Republican leaders then began calling state agencies to find out. They spoke to the local police, the Superintendent of Elections, the Assistant Attorney General’s Office and the County Prosecutor. According to Scangerello, they were told several times that it was indeed a bribery charge. On Monday Mike Ramaglia, who is running the Repubican campaigns for Council Candidates Joe Smolinski and Sal Schemmenti signed a complaint of four counts of bribery and bribery-related charges against the West Milford Democrats 2006 namely, Geist, Rauth and Councilman Bob Nolan, who is treasurer. Ramaglia said political candidates “aren’t even supposed to give away so much as a cookie.” Nolan said the GOP was “making a mountain out of a molehill. Once the issue was raised we took the coupons off the hangars.” Nolan went on to say that the hangars were something Rauth had done on his own. Rauth also thinks the charges are baseless. “We left them on lots of doors. We don’t know if the people who live there are Democrat, Republican, Independent, or even registered voters. And regardless of what they are, they could redeem the coupon, so it certainly isn’t an inducement of any kind.” Democratic supporter Doris Aaronson agrees, “That coupon could be used by anybody; it has nothing to do with political parties or who you vote for.” Several Democrats said that last year the Republican candidates gave away candy and trinkets while campaigning. The Democrats will have to answer a subpoena to appear in Superior Court on Nov. 21. This will mark the first case of its kind in Passaic County.