To the editor: The County Committee candidates on Line A - Passaic County Regular Republican Organization, Inc., are all volunteers -they receive no compensation. They must, by law, run for election every three years. Why are they doing this job? The answer is because they are looking out for you, the residents, who have concerns on various issues. Their duties involve doing their best with the issues that are of importance on federal, state, county and municipal levels. They are responsible for supplying the West Milford Township Council candidates, which is a very important duty. There are 13 districts in West Milford Township, each of which has a man and a woman representative who are charged with the responsibility of keeping their district informed. These committee members elect their own County Chairperson who is the West Milford Township Municipal Chairperson. They are the grass roots of the Republican Party in West Milford Township. The issue we are now addressing is the Anti-Tax Petition. We can not afford higher taxes in our state, especially since the state is not reimbursing us for any land they own in our community (Open Space Lands or Green Acres property). This is double dipping! A higher state tax will make it even more unaffordable to live here. With lack of thought from our legislators, and especially our Governor and his cabinet, these are difficult times for the people living in the all-restrictive areas of the Highlands Act. We in West Milford Township are one of those areas. There is no one looking out for us in Trenton. Thank goodness we have an excellent Planning Director, William Drew, and Assistant Planner, Linda Lutz, and two staff members, one part-time, who have made themselves aware of what is taking place under the Highlands Act. They attend every meeting possible to protect West Milford Township with what is taking place on the Highlands Council and they are aware of how it affects us. Without this knowledge, we would be uninformed about the serious problems facing local homeowners. This is not the Planning Department's only job, but they work hard to make things work. I have attended many Highlands meetings on behalf of West Milford Township residents and this is a huge problem for us, especially with no reimbursement from Trenton and Newark (the state and Newark own over 45percent of township land). Since the Highlands Act became law, this is even more of a problem. The 4c Water Bill is about water and that is all the state and Newark care about. It is a means of income for those involved with the passing of this bill. Since the big issue is water, is that all they want, with no reimbursement for the land? The State won't need to enact eminent domain because we won't be able to afford the higher taxes to live on the land. They make the money and we get nothing. I do hope that the town council is looking out for the residents and being thankful that we have dedicated professional employees. The town council should work with them, especially Mr. Drew and Mrs. Lutz, with a goal of coming up with a plan as to how we can make the state aware of our enormous problem (and from what many of us are seeing on TV, protests do get attention). Please be aware of where your polling place is located. It is written on the election ballot that is mailed to your home. Also review the ballot concerning the new voting machines. Please familiarize yourself with the basic working of the new machines prior to going to your polling place. Help will be available if needed. Remember that it is time to make your vote count! The Passaic County Regular Republican Organization, Inc is endorsing the candidates on Line A. They are: 1A. Senator Tom Kean 2A. Congressman Scott Garrett Freeholders - (Vote for 3) 3A. Ronnie Nochimson 4A. Kenneth DelVecchio 5A. Jonathan Soto Vote for 2 councilmen 6A. Joseph Smolinski 7A. Salvatore Schimmenti Vote for 2 8A. County Committee 9A. County Committee The individuals running in each district are different, please check your ballot for the individuals in your voting district. Please cast your vote on Tuesday, June 6, 2006. Doris Osterhoudt Municipal Chairperson, West Milford Township