Re: "New High School Opposition Group to Protest Budget,'' June 18, South: Bethel Park school board, what in the world are you thinking? No, you are not really going to spend $100,000,000 for a school. It will not be $100,000,000; you all know that.

This is not "Beverly Hills 90210." What's makes me so angry is your arrogance. You think since no one complained so far, it must be OK. This shows your lack of understanding. .

Hey, we're apathetic. That's part of the reason you were elected. It is your responsibility to represent us.

Your responsibility as school board members is to provide an educational atmosphere in the best interests of the total population of Bethel Park. The total population trumps the students and the school board.

You are in denial that you represented Bethel Park in administering the proposal for a new school, just because you followed the minimum requirements of the law.

Take off your school board hat, put on your taxpayer hat. Don't you think you would want to be asked whether you wanted to spend over $150,000,000 for a school of which the necessity for the entire project is questionable?

Put a moratorium on the school project. Hold a referendum to see whether your opinions are those of the community as a whole. When you are talking about spending $150 million, the cost of a referendum will be a drop in the bucket.

So, swallow your pride; it's OK to swear under your breath about the Johnny-come-lately's. Just do what's right.

And, if the referendum goes your way, think how satisfied you will feel saying, "I told you so."

DAVID NEILAN

Bethel Park

Re: "Superintendent Mostly Works From Home" June 11, South: Wake up West Mifflin residents and over-taxed homeowners. Please attend school board meetings [The next meeting is a 6:30 p.m. workshop, then 7:30 p.m. voting meeting on Tuesday.]

Most [West Mifflin] meetings are held in secret with renovations approved without residents' knowledge or comments.

When I went to school, our principal and superintendent greeted us every day, lived in the [district] and worked in the school office where they were able to answer students' problems. We did not have Pony Express service to deliver to the superintendent.

Patrick Risha should stop [breathing] the good country air and enjoy the fresh city air to get better health. And People magazine should put him on the cover to show how he enjoys our bounty.

Mr. Risha's contract expires Oct. 1, 2011. Look out for higher taxes.

It's time his fine staff quits saying yes to all his brainy ideas and poor accomplishments which have ruined taxpayers' wallets.

HUGH G. O'DONNELL

West Mifflin

In "Bubbling with History," June 14, The Region, it is evident that the issue of removing the gas well from the middle of Brookdale Drive in Upper St. Clair has become a political football. The owner said he is trying to find another right of way and that the [Department of Environmental Protection] has sent him letters because the well is not producing. But no real action has been taken.

The owner and the DEP claim that it is not a public health risk. There was a gas smell, and the problem was resolved when a supply line was capped. That would have been the time to remove the entire installation.

A nonproducing or producing well in the middle of a street is a hazard. The overall installation is lacking in proper maintenance. If the well were to become active again, there is the possibility that pipes are so rusted that the barrier fence would not keep a vehicle away from the line. All it would take for a disaster would be for just one driver to come through and plow into the pipes.

The area where the gas well island is located is narrow, so getting an ambulance or fire truck there is a public health and safety issue.

The gas well is not an issue because it is unsightly; it is an issue because it is dangerous.

The owner, DEP and officials of Upper St. Clair need to have the well pipes capped underground so that the island can be removed and the entire road can be paved. Complete removal will benefit everyone.

JAMES NOGAR

Upper St. Clair