To the editor: The Mt. Laurel skate park controversy is symptomatic of the worst of partisan politics. Long time volunteers on various township committees get discarded like old newspapers and replaced by cronies who constantly feel the need to tell everyone that they are “volunteers.” If the only way to get appointed to a committee is to be a card carrying member of the political party in power, then the system is broken. The simple fact that not one of our 13-member Parks and Rec Advisory Committee has said that putting the skate park at Mt. Laurel is wrong speaks volumes. Packing committees with cronies who vote only as instructed and do not think independently is not democracy in action. The reason why Richard Nixon had to resign the Presidency in disgrace was because all of his advisors were of the same mind set. No one ( Halderman, Erlichman, Mitchell, Dean, etc.) said, “Hey Mr. President, what you are doing about the Watergate cover-up is wrong.” Just over one year ago, we had another example of what is wrong with cronyism. Michael “Heck of a job, Brownie” Brown and FEMA failed the residents of New Orleans before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina. Our Municipal Utility Authority is another group packed with cronies who don’t make decisions that are in the best interests of the public. You see, the Municipal Utility Authority is in favor of both the 288 townhouse unit Eagle Ridge townhouse development, and the 100 unit Valley Ridge townhouse development. So where do you stand on this issue Dr. Schimmenti? You are a member of the Municipal Utility Authority are you in favor of these developments? Or, can’t I ask the question because you are a “volunteer?” So in conclusion Dr. Schimmenti, I can tell you that there is overwhelming community opposition to the skate park in Mt. Laurel. Councilman Warden, Freeholder Duffy, and council candidates Jim Geist and James Rauth can tell you the same thing. You see, we all went through the neighborhood at various times and spoke to the residents. Rather than hiding behind a shield of “you can’t question me, I’m a volunteer,” I suggest that you go ring some doorbells in Mt. Laurel. Robert Nolan Councilman, West Milford