To the editor: It is always rather evident when election time is nearing in West Milford. Take, for instance, the recent controversy over the Sunshine Act. The petitioners, four out of five being Democrats, have been attacked for withdrawing the petition and supposedly dishonoring the voters that signed it. Most of the attacks have been voiced (understandably) by the author of the Act and his wife, and (not surprisingly) by a very outspoken Republican leader in town who is a hypercritic of Democrats and will take every opportunity (including those that do not really exist) to bash the Democrats. In actuality, blame for the Act’s failure should be placed on the council’s Republican majority. After all, the Act was unanimously defeated by the Republicans. Had the Act been a Republican idea, I’m certain it would have been approved after holding some meetings and discussions to improve it. But alas, it was a Democrat-supported idea, so it was bound to fail regardless of its merits. What the council majority failed to recognize is that the Act, which supported open, accessible and affordable government, is not a partisan issue but one of honesty and integrity instead. According to their position on the Act, it is evident that politics takes the priority. The council’s decision to veto the Act and their unwillingness to compromise forced the petitioners into a no-win predicament, ie - either a) allow the Act, in its draft form, to be placed on the ballot despite its apparent flaws and without the opportunity to fine-tune it first, or b) withdraw it. The petitioners received legal advice on the Act in its current form. They received input from members of the township administration. Most importantly, they heard and listened to input from members of the public who actually read the Act (I’m sure most signers of the petition did not stand in front of ShopRite and read the entire Act while their groceries were defrosting ... they believe, as do the petitioners, in the intent of the Act and were therefore willing to sign the petition.) As a result of all of this advice, the difficult decision to withdraw was made. The petitioners were fully aware that the Republicans would turn their withdrawal decision into a political controversy. They knew the political fingers would be pointed at them rather than at the council Republican majority that ignored the 1,000-plus voters that signed the petition. As the lone Republican petitioner, I know...I was there. So how can the Democrats be blamed for its failure, when they introduced the idea, they support the idea, and they will continue to work on the Act through a bi-partisan committee? The Act failed because the Republican council chose to veto it rather than schedule meetings, accept constructive criticism, and work with its supporters to formulate an improved Act that would be acceptable to all. The Democrats chose to keep the best interests of the residents at heart. They chose the path of integrity. They did not choose a political agenda, the easy way out, or the path of least resistance. The Democrats should be applauded for taking the righteous stance rather than the politically-advantageous one. Now that’s a refreshing change for West Milford ... less political agendas, more respect, morality and principles. Bettina Beiri West Milford