To the editor: I read with great interest Joe Smolinski’s fairy tale account of his six month tenure on the West Milford town council, as an elected councilman, I thought his misleading letter to the editor needed some correction. The water surcharge was an idea floated in 2003 during the political high jacking of West Milford and change of government elections. It was recognized by experts as the only viable solution to compensate West Milford and to get some taxpayer relief. If you remember Joe, it was your colorful group of cronies, led by Frank Hannon and Art McQuaid, who went on a campaign of misinformation (much like they are doing now with attorney issues) criticizing and discrediting the water surcharge, all the while ridiculing myself and Bob Nolan for supporting it. Our petition wasn’t allowed to go anywhere, because when the magnificent seven (your political pals) took control of the township, they did nothing with the idea. In 2004 the Highlands legislation hearings gave the perfect opportunity, but instead of lobbying for a water surcharge, the magnificent seven lobbied for town center development. Frank Hannon and company were costing taxpayers thousands of dollars suing the town over the sale of the redevelopment zone while your other political apostles wanted to sign the developer’s agreement with Hovnanian. As a matter of fact, rumor has it that your old council buddies even tried to sign the developer’s agreement two days before Bob and I were sworn into office. I am glad you and the gang like our water surcharge idea now, Joe. Both Bob and I can use your help. That is of course, if you are elected in November. Oh by the way, the idea we are promoting is a water surcharge, not a tax. Generally legislators who approve new legislation don’t like to hear or use the word “tax.” Also Joe, just a friendly reminder, the only reason you sit on the council, is because you were named by your political cronies to replace a disgraced councilman who resigned when he got caught being involved with a slanderous internet site last during last year’s election, (fleecing west milford.com) and if the rest of the gang who were involved with fleecing weren’t hiding to protect themselves, you wouldn’t have been their guy anyway. As you are well aware, Joe, these are the same bozos who thumb their noses at following the law, and who are behind the high density development push Bob Nolan and I have been fighting against. Speaking of Hovanian, Eagle Ridge and high density development, isn’t your buddy and running mate Sal Schimmenti sitting on the MUA, (municipal utilities authority) the same organization that pumps s*** (well you know bad things) into Belcher’s creek? The same group of cronies, which seems had already made a deal to help bring Trammel Crow and their extra 100 or so town homes into West Milford. They want to pump poop up a mountain into a sewer plant that doesn’t seem to be working all the time. How come you decided not to speak up the evening of those planning board/developer hearings? Seems you always have something to say otherwise. How come Schimmenti didn’t? I guess the cat got both your tongues that night. Oh yea, I almost forgot, the same disgraced councilman you replaced on the council also sits on the MUA. What a coincidence. Finally, your track record of lowering taxes, so far, is at best, laughable. I guess you need to be reminded that you and the boys voted to increase taxes for the township residents another $100. I sure didn’t. This past six months, while in budget discussions, you and your pals refused to make any hard choices for the taxpayers, probably because you are running for election, all the while, depleting the township’s reserve fund by almost a million dollars. If you ask me, it seems you are afraid to upset the good old boy network in town hall. You were also one of the ring leaders who tried to raid the open space fund last year. Thank goodness the people of West Milford are smarter than you give them credit for. Had your idea of raiding the fund been successful, it could have eventually cost the taxpayers millions in school taxes. You also voted to flush $15,000 of taxpayer dollars down the toilet with that bogus Bailey newspaper, but what the heck Joe, who’s counting. Bob Nolan and I are looking forward to working with Jim Geist and Jim Rauth when they are elected this November. It has been a frustrating two years working with colleagues that have little common sense, and even less backbone. Geist and Rauth will be a breath of fresh air. The taxpayers of West Milford expect their elected officials to represent them, and to make decisions based on our township’s best interests, not on political parties or selfish agendas. It is the least you could do. Next time you or the “gang that couldn’t shoot straight” decide to write a misleading election/propaganda letter without representing all the facts, know Nolan and Warden will call you on the truth. James Warden West Milford Councilman