To the editor: Having just read “Not for Lack of Effort” by Doris Osterhout (Messenger, May 18), I am compelled to set the record straight. I did indeed receive a call in April from Ms. Osterhout, and she informed me of the Bald Eagle Commons candidate event. In her letter to the editor, she states: “the procedure ... is the same as last year.” This is simply not true; a similar meet-and-greet was held on a Saturday morning, and our candidates attended. I know, because I was there, and stated this. She insisted that I was wrong. However, a few minutes after we hung up, she called me back and acknowledged that last year’s event had indeed been on a Saturday (she had confused it with the school board forum, which she said was on a Thursday). Why she omits this in her letter is unclear. My concern was that having the forum on a weekday afternoon might not be good timing for candidates’ work schedules. In that initial conversation, I also explained that I had stepped down months ago as co-leader of the Democratic party in West Milford, but that I would gladly relay her message. I emailed the local candidates that night and called the Freeholders the next day. A few days later Ms. Osterhout called me and again, when I explained that I was no longer the co-leader, suggested she speak to Mr. Pawlo or Mr. Rauth, President of the local Democratic Club. In a subsequent phone call, Ms. Osterhout stated she had heard from Freeholders Duffy and Lepore, but not the local candidates. Again, I assured her that I’d contacted everyone, and in fact, the meet-and-greet has been listed over the past several weeks in a weekly “Events Calendar” email that is distributed county-wide. I again expressed my concern about the day and time. She was clearly upset and I thanked her for her effort but there was not much more I could do I have neither the inclination nor authority to force candidates to attend any given event. Last fall, in planning the township council candidate debate, Mr. Scangarello (my Republican counterpart), the editor of the sponsoring newspaper and I came up with several dates, spoke to our respective candidates and after some back-and-forth, eventually set up that event at a mutually agreed-upon date and time. Unfortunately, this was not the case for this upcoming event: there was no discussion the date was set and we were instructed to show up. Ms. Osterhout’s platitudes about our democracy are touching, but I disagree with her characterization that “because of a lack of communication” certain candidates would not be attending. This could not be farther from the truth. She also takes issue with last week’s letter from Councilmen Nolan and Warden, which explains that while not available for the Bald Eagle event, they are always available via phone or email to the residents of Bald Eagle Commons and the community as a whole. They also expressed hope that they could meet with residents at another time. It was not a “disheartening” letter to me, but Ms. Osterhout seems to be taking this as a personal affront. Perhaps if this upcoming event had been arranged in a more cooperative manner from the beginning, Ms. Osterhout would not be so disappointed. Kathleen M. Caren Former co-leader, West Milford Democratic Party