To the editor: Taxes, Recreation and Open Space are all big issues in West Milford. All are important to this election. Before voters cast their votes on election Tuesday, may I refresh their memories and provide a brief history with respect to political happenings regarding the latter two important issues, both dear to me as I moved here thirteen years ago for the beauty of West Milford and also have a child who plays organized sports here. Last year the Recreation Advisory Committee Committee (R.A.C.) tried to obtain Open Space Funds as an additional revenue source. Due to the fine wording of the original Open Space ballot question, the Republicans simply could not appropriate Open Space monies as they wished. They had to ask the voters to amend the original ballot question, which was part of Councilman Scangarello’s election platform. The voters re-elected Mr. Carmelo Scangarello of the R.A.C., but unequivocally turned down his proposition to give Open Space revenue to Parks and Recreation, whose multi-million dollar budget from property taxes and fees has increased at about $100,000 per year. This contrasts with a total Open Space Fund of about $166,000 total per year. Both Mr. Smolinski and Dr. Sal Schimmenti were members of the R.A.C. and were campaigners for Mr. Scangarello and the attempted Open Space raid. I suggested then to Mr. Smolinski that I myself could support and thought I could even help gain more support for a reasonable percentage of the Open Space Tax Money serving the needs of recreation. I took this back to the Open Space Committee members where we discussed supporting a figure between ten and thirty percent. But Mr. Smolinski never got back to me to discuss the matter any further. Certainly recreation seems to be more of a priority to Mr. Smolinski and “Doctor Sal” than protecting our quality of life on a more broad level. Why haven’t they been more forthcoming on their position regarding K. Hovnanian’s housing proposal? Additionally, Doctor Sal serves on the Municipal Utilities Authority, (MUA) the very organization that petitioned to build sewers for those those 280 homes many of us who DO care for the environment rallied against. Now I read that they claim they are against this development and Valley Ridge. This rings quite hollow. Neither attended any hearings or rallies against the K. Hovnanian proposal as many of us who did fight for our quality of life did. What are their collective contributions to our West Milford environs? Did they stand with us when we opposed major development in the spirit of the Highlands Act? No. Joe came once, but never said a word. They both however, support taking the Open Space Fund for “Recreation.” At a meeting last year, Joe said fixing our fields could be accomplished at zero cost because the Open Space money was “just sitting there.” The majority of voters already understand that the Open Space Fund is an excellent defense against the 280 homes K. Hovnanian proposes to build. But after former councilman Elcavage resigned in disgrace, his term was replaced with Councilman Joe Smolinski, a.k.a. the Chairman of the Recreation Advisory Committee. There is no need to gut the Open Space Funds to fix ball fields, other than to gut the funds to buy out K. Hovnanian’s Eagle Ridge development. Most West Milford residents are more than willing to have millions of tax dollars go to support the town’s Recreational needs. I always thought R stands for Republican; unfortunately in West Milford, the meaning of “R” seems to have evolved into ...”Recreation.” Do we really want three councilmen: Scangarello, Smolinski, and “Doctor Sal” having an existing council majority in all council votes? Instead of trying to snatch the Open Space funds, why hasn’t the Republican majority on the council sought more county funds for recreation? But then, who would write such proposals? Fifteen willing and capable bi-partisan volunteers were prevented from finding the very money Parks and Recreation wanted when the council chose to destroy the Open Space Committee. Now they complain there are not enough volunteers to get the jobs done! We’ve all seen how the Republican majority on the current and prior council would rather let committees fail than appoint sufficient numbers of members or even a quorum on some committees if those appointments could come from the “opposite” party. They have turned away candidates with backgrounds in appropriate areas simply for partisanship. Is this how it should be, only members of the political party with a majority can get appointed to any volunteer post? Jim Geist and James Rauth will bring balance to the council. They have dedicated their life’s work to public service. Mr. Geist is a high school history teacher. Mr. Rauth serves in law enforcement and his work has put away bad people. He is a certified CPR instructor. Both have proven to be hard-working volunteers. They also have worked hard to learn the issues of our town and listen to the public concerns. I’ve worked side by side with them, especially on the fight against Eagle and Valley Ridge and other environmental issues, and on Town Clean-up Day, where the Beautification and Recycling Committee awarded our Democratic team a prize. They are not afraid to roll their sleeves up and work to improve West Milford. They listened to the public when some concerns were raised about the Sunshine Act, and would like to see a future bi-partisan committee improve it. They have run an honest an clean-handed campaign. If you believe West Milford should stay quiet and green, and that sometimes good men CAN make a difference, vote for them.If you think we need bulldogs to grab hold of K. Hovnanian’s ear and not let go of the fact that a TRUE majority of us DO NOT WANT 280 additional homes crammed into a major housing complex, vote for them. If you do not wish the tax increase of supporting new school facilities because of new sewers and related development, and that building another sewage treatment facility in the center of town is not good for either the quality or quantity of our water, vote for them. If you think our residents need tax stabilization and accountability, that our local government needs fresh ideas and fresh air, please join me in voting for James Geist and James Rauth. Celeste Byrne West Milford