To the editor: Water, water everywhere, and no tax relief to be found for West Milford’s taxpayers. In April of 2006, a water tax petition was circulated in town. The Water Tax Relief Petition to the N.J. Legislature stated, “We the undersigned ... demand that the money raised by the proposed Water Tax of 4 cents per 1,000 gallons...be used solely for tax relief in the Highlands Preservation Municipalities.” Councilman James Warden (D) said, “We do not squeak loud enough,” referring to the saying, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil.” He went on to say, “The surcharge even has the support of the N.J. League of Municipalities.” In late May, Councilmen Nolan (D), Weisbecker (R) and Smolinski (R) went to Trenton. The trip was called “disappointing.” Nolan said, “Senators Martin and Smith were re-writing a bill to include tax relief. The effort will not go on without Republican support.” The problem for West Milford and other watershed host communities is that $6 million of the money collected goes into the state general fund and the rest to the N.J. DEP. Under the current water tax, 75 percent goes to water infrastructure, and 25 percent for land purchasing with zero percent going for the Highlands watershed municipalities property tax relief. In 2003, the West Milford Democratic Club’s seven candidates wrote up the first water surcharge petition. The local Republican leadership laughed at the idea never thinking it could happen. Nolan and Warden used it in their 2004 platform. We are happy to see the Republicans include it in their platform. Unfortunately, the bill was not brought up for a vote because it failed to receive support from any Republican legislators with the exception of Robert Martin. The Republican legislators are too busy trying to repeal the Highlands Act so they can turn West Milford into Wayne with all its development and congested roads. James Geist and James Rauth will fight for West Milford’s taxpayers by strongly advocating in Trenton for fairness in tax policies. A vote for Geist and Rauth will fight is a vote for tax stabilization, water tax relief surcharge, the environment, and accountability in government. For more information, go to www.WMbest.com. Democratic Council Candidates James Geist and James Rauth