Dear Editor: I was incredulous when I read your June 18 article, “Can you canoe?” Since I am one of the canoeists who capsized during the maiden launch of Riverkeeper, I can tell you we turned over not at Laurel Hill Park, but rather at the HMDC launch area at the marina and golf center. This capsizing had nothing to do with Laurel Hill or currents, as Mayor Elwell professed, but the fact that I was assigned a paddle partner, who I found out later, was very inexperienced as a canoeist. This problem has been addressed, by the way. No person will be allowed in a canoe from our launch site at Laurel Hill Park without a practice run with our certified instructor. The American Canoe Association has given our entire program and site the go ahead. I can also report that, after my dunk in the Hackensack River, I found it a bit warm for my taste but relatively clean. Also, after we were righted by our fellow canoeists, we continued on our way for over one hour until we reached Laurel Hill. It is unfortunate that politics can interfere with real efforts, such as the canoe project that connect individuals to the rivers and marshes in our area. Mayor Elwell and his police force should remove their focus from the Laurel Hill County Park and concentrate on the jet skiers “hot dogging” around the river, disturbing waterfowl nesting sites and kayaks and canoes. I live in Ridgewood, and the Hackensack is one of my favorite rivers in New Jersey because of its rich history and importance to our area. It is one of nature’s minor miracles that the river is even salvageable after the decades of assault by man and industry. Thanks to Captain Bill Sheehan and County Executive Janiszewski, as well as all participants in the Riverkeeper activities, more people than ever consider the Hackensack River a gift to the people of New Jersey. Eleanor C. Gruber Secretary, Hackensack Riverkeeper