To the editor: I wish to take this moment to reflect on Tuesday’s election. Many months ago, I wanted to put the recreation referendum on the ballot. My determination in insisting upon that was because I have faith in the citizens of West Milford, all the citizens, and wanted to “Let the People Decide”. I did not believe it was in the best interests of our township to allow a small group of individuals to bully us into keeping the question off the ballot. The recreation community as well as those residents concerned with open space and taxes all wanted the opportunity to have a decision from the voters and not just have a small group of people, most with their own personal agendas, dictate to the council. Clearly by the number of voters who turned out to vote, this was the proper, right and just thing to do. I congratulate my fellow council members, Paul Bailey, Bill Gervens, Carmen Scangarello and Mayor DiDonato for standing fast to the principal of “let the people decide”. I hope that Councilmen Nolan and Warden who opposed placing the referendum on the ballot have learned from their mistake. This question is now answered. The controversy is now ended. We must now move on to our other responsibilities such as the $200,000 bear proof garbage can grant that I helped to obtain from the State DEP and the upgraded communications system that is so urgently needed by our police, fire and EMS people. I believe and I have every confidence, now that the citizens have spoken, that we will as a council, heed their voices and follow their wishes. I further believe that there is much that we can still do to benefit the recreational needs of our town and address the needs of open space and tax stabilization in a manner acceptable to all. West Milford is very fortunate in that we are a community of knowledgeable and intelligent people. We all have different ideas on how things should be done, but one thing is crystal clear, and that is that when our citizens demand the opportunity to decide a question they expect the council to allow them to do so. A prior council denied the citizens the opportunity of a referendum on the 466 acre redevelopment zone, the golf course as most refer to it and the citizens showed that council the door at the next elections. A councilman is entrusted by the citizens to engage in the governance of the township. Decisions need to be made on a weekly and daily basis by the mayor and council. Governance includes the formation of a budget, the passage of ordinances and resolutions, as well as the day to day chores of running the store”. Every so often, important policy decisions arise, such as the “golf course” and the recreation referendum and it is the duty of each councilmember to put aside his personal and or his family’s agenda and to seek the guidance from the citizens through a referendum. The true victory for the citizens of West Milford on this referendum came not on Election Day but really occurred on the evening of that Council meeting when four of your council members voted to put the question on the ballot. The recreation referendum may have failed but the candidates who supported the right of the people to decide won resoundingly. This election has reaffirmed my confidence in our town and my colleagues. Joe Elcavage Town Council West Milford