To the editor: In the past few months, Republican leaders have falsely accused Councilmen Warden and Nolan of attacking volunteers. In reality, Warden and Nolan have acted as watchdogs for the taxpayers of West Milford; they have been doing their jobs. Warden and Nolan have not given up on issues such as the pollution in Belcher’s Creek and attorney compliance, despite the resulting controversy and the subsequent misleading accusations. For example, evidence of one source of pollution into Belcher’s Creek pointed to the MUA, the same MUA that has excessive violations cited against them by the DEP. Indeed, according to the DEP website, 160 violations were reported in the year 2004 alone, and two MUA plants were reported by the DEP to the NJ State Environmental Crimes Bureau. Questions were then raised by Warden and Nolan as to the duties and responsibilities of the MUA Board and the Environmental Commission. Both of these Republican-majority, volunteer boards took offense to their questioning. Suddenly, instead of being applauded for bringing these issues to light, the Democratic councilmen were being accused of attacking volunteers. This kind of political tactic diverts attention away from the real issues. Next, there is the attorney compliance issue concerning both the planning board and zoning board attorneys. Just days before a brief was due on the high-density Valley Ridge development, the planning board attorney came to the last-minute realization that his firm represented both the township and the developer. This conflict of interest required a sudden and hurried substitute of attorney. The zoning board attorney was questioned regarding an apparent lack of compliance with certain township rules, as well as legal concerns with his contract for services to the zoning board. Once again, we could count on Warden and Nolan to address these issues rather than ignore them. This is not an attack on the volunteer members of the planning and zoning boards, as claimed by Republican partisans, but an example of necessary oversight by our council members. Not surprisingly yet very ironically, the attacks are being made by several Republican leaders. Ironic because it was the all-Republican council that disbanded the all-volunteer Open Space Committee as soon as they came into office. Logically speaking, disbanding a volunteer committee must indeed be the biggest slap-in-the-face attack of all times. And more recently, the Republican majority unanimously vetoed a nomination to the volunteer Beautification and Recycling Committee of a very fine and qualified Democratic individual leaving several openings on that committee and no alternative candidates. Indeed, they regularly refuse to appoint willing and able volunteers to a variety of committees primarily because of their political affiliations. These are also direct attacks on volunteers. Of course, let’s not forget about the (now defunct) slanderous Web site created by the Republicans, FleecingWestMilford.com. This Republican Web site was created solely for the purpose of attacking and ridiculing others for their differences of opinions. As a 20-year-resident and active volunteer in West Milford for over 17 years, I, too, fell victim to their false accusations, attacks, and slander. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Bettina Bieri West Milford