On Nov. 4, voters will once again decide whether or not to change the town’s name - this time to Woodland Park. This marks the fourth time in almost 20 years that the question has come up. Local residents rejected the first three town title proposals: Woodland Park in 1989, West Park in 1995, and Garret Mountain in 2001.

On Aug. 12, Judith Karp and Robert Dicker, both of West Paterson, submitted a 64 page petition with 877 signatures to town hall. Karp said a citizen’s name change committee, who she decline to name, went around town to gather the autographs.

Later that month, Borough Administrator Kevin Galland found 746 of the signatures were valid. The number was above the 686 required for proposition status. By law, signatures equaling 30 percent of the last general election cast votes were needed, according to borough sources.

Voters will be asked the following: "Shall the name of the borough of West Paterson be changed to the borough of Woodland Park?"

Karp said she feels Woodland Park better suits the municipality.

"We feel it’s a better description of our town. It has woodland, park land and the Passaic River. We thought it was a nice name, and it retains the W.P.," she said, referring to the borough’s initials, "which a lot of people feel is important."

Karp said the name also goes well with the borough’s official seal, adding that the committee did not deem a publicity campaign to be necessary.

"We kind of feel that the voters will make up their minds. We don’t want to make a big deal about it. People want to do it, or they don’t."

She added other towns in New Jersey have instituted voter approved name changes. She cited, as examples, the early 70s East Paterson to Elmwood Park switch, and the recent year Dover Township to Toms River transformation in Ocean County.

Mayor Pat Lepore said he is officially taking a neutral stance, stating that the question is for residents to decide. He said he believes political leaders and candidates should stay away from the topic.

"I want people to decide for themselves without interference from elected officials."

Councilman Keith Kazmark seconded that.

"It’s not about politics. It’s about, ‘Do you believe the name should be West Paterson or Woodland Park?’ The Democratic Party has always been very consistent in believing that it is up to the voters, and they will make their decision on Election Day."

Kazmark said incorporating partisan positions would only taint the process, adding that name change supporters and detractors hail from both major political parties.

Lepore also said the subject elicits divergent standpoints.

"It’s an emotional issue that’s been resurrected every so often. Evidently, there are people who feel strongly it should be changed, and they’re people who feel strongly it should not be changed."

Steve Fazio - Republican contender for mayor - said the town identity question is for residents to decide.

"The voters have so far, voted it down," he said, referring to previous such referendums. "It’s up to the voters really."

Fazio said he notices an interesting trend. He said the name change matter happens to crop up when real estate values decline. Fazio said he believes some of the proposal’s advocates are motivated by higher real estate values. He said he thinks that reason is a weak one for wanting a new municipal designation.

"I think it’s a hollow approach. It won’t work."

Fazio said one consideration is that a name change would come during an economic downturn. He said the town would bear necessary costs for modifications, such as changing stationery and vehicle lettering. He added that residents would be affected as well.

"It’s certainly an inconvenience for them to change their driver’s licenses. You’ve got bank accounts, and credit cards," he said, further describing the impact’s scope. "It’s not a freebie."

Meanwhile, one resident, Robert De Block, has launched his own non-political crusade to oppose the name change. De Block said he thinks the title Woodland Park has no connection with the borough.

"The name Woodland Park is completely vapid. There’s no historical context. Woodland Park is a zoo in Seattle, and the name of a park in Union County. I’d be less adverse to it if they had a name that had some meaning; something that reaches back to our history."

De Block said he thinks the name change committee should have reached out to the community before circulating the petition.

"If they did want to change the name, they should have solicited some public input on it. It also appears it was done in such a way that no one knew about it."

De Block also said a novel town identity would bring economic consequences.

"To place additional burden on the taxpayers and the public to change the name should not have been taken lightly. I don’t believe for one second that it’s going to improve property values."

De Block added he is distributing bumper stickers - "I love West Paterson - Don’t Change Its Name" - to people he meets around town. Anyone interested can contact him at wpdeblock@aol.com.