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Your Oct. 4 editorial ''Forest Preserve bond issue all about 'bear' essentials?'' is an obvious distortion and misrepresentation of fact that has as its agenda advocacy of my political opponents. Your most egregious error is the statement that land-acquisition money ''should be returned to its original purpose.'' The fact is the money earmarked for the real estate fund already has been returned, as documented in an independent 2003 audit. This audit was provided to you weeks ago. You infer that this administration has neglected land acquisition efforts. Nothing could be further from the truth. This administration has procured 500-plus acres since 1994 and currently has more than 100 acres under active acquisition. On [Oct. 6], by a vote of 14-3, the Board of Commissioners voted to authorize up to $100 million in bonding authority to the Forest Preserve District, which has been unable to incur debt for improvements since 1996 [''$100 million plan OKd by forest district,'' metro story, Oct. 7]. Also, all projects must come before the board over the coming months and years for authorization -- an important fact you neglected to make clear to your readers. On Sept. 27, in accordance with legal requirements, the district held a public hearing to allow citizens to voice their opinions on this issue [''Forest preserves head toward raising property taxes,'' metro story, Sept. 28]. To suggest that ''specifics in how that money is to be spent'' should be presented before a final project list has been completed is manipulative and misleading. The district's portion of a property tax bill is less than 1 percent of the total bill on a property valued at $150,000. I am convinced that if a tax increase to retire this indebtedness becomes necessary, Cook County residents would want to ensure the continued health and vitality of the district, Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Botanic Garden. There are a great many good things happening at the district, and taxpayers should be proud of the changes and improvements this administration has made. We will continue to preserve and protect our treasured open spaces. John H. Stroger Jr., President, Cook County Board of Commissioners