Upper St. Clair is often regarded as an exclusive haven for the wealthy. While there are many families here that fit that description and although the median home value and family income in this area are relatively high, there are a large number of middle-class families and seniors of modest and fixed income, for whom continuing to reside in their chosen community is becoming an increasing struggle.

Despite the federal government's proud proclamation that "core inflation" remains low, the vast increase in the cost of fuel over the past few years has rippled through the economy, triggering widespread price increases. Most American households are currently subjected to alarming hikes in the cost of a host of staple products like utilities, dairy products, meat, produce and gasoline.

Taxes have taken no breather from their traditional oppression of the populace. Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Edward "Spendell" repeatedly promised 30 percent property tax relief for all during his campaign for office in 2002. Today, most families pay more for this levy than they did in 2002, with no relief in sight.

The outlook is particularly grim in Upper St. Clair, where the debacle over the International Baccalaureate Program paved the way for a 6-3 liberal school board majority to seize the reins of power. The new liberal majority is certain to impose significant tax hikes this year and next, and for however long we permit these members to hold power and diminish residents' standards of living.

The most outrageous slap in the face ever to be dealt the residents of this community next year will be a massive hike in the municipal property tax, the imposition of a hardship which was completely unnecessary, without precedent, and without a mandate. Our elected officials rammed through a $27.5 million recreation center/palace with the rosiest projections of expected revenue, pie-in-the-sky, unscientific estimates which are certain to fall short of the mark, triggering new rounds of tax hikes to keep this massive boondoggle operating. This atrocity was approved by six of our seven commissioners, four of whom have the gall to call themselves Republicans. If this was perpetrated upon the community by Republicans, what would a Democrat-controlled board have called for: a $60 million center?

Studies and polling data continue to indicate that fiscal conservatism and frugality with public monies are popular concepts with the American people, yet our leaders at the national, state and local levels continue to expectorate in our faces, spending our money on projects of which we do not approve, and borrowing to the brink of insolvency. Why are the members of both major parties inclined to act as enemies of the people once they are firmly ensconced in office?

OREN M. SPIEGLER
Upper St. Clair

How could the article "Empty stores may be on rise at Century III Mall" (South, Feb. 7) not mention the issues presented by the letter "Youths fuel problem at Century III Mall" (South, Letters to editor, Feb. 14.)

It is not comprehensible that the writer couldn't see the situation or that some tenant or shopper didn't suggest that the points that were raised by the letter writer were, indeed, a significant component of the overall problem.

It can't have been an oversight. Who made the decision to ignore or eliminate that element of the story? Why was Bonita Veraldi's letter necessary to correct the article?

The problem should have been prominently noted in the article. Mall and West Mifflin management should have been asked how they're going to correct the situation and that, too, should have been incorporated into the article. A sidebar might have noted the problems and solutions elsewhere: Mall of America, Bloomington, Minn.; Walden Galleria, Cheektowaga, N.Y.

I shop online so the plight of the mall is inconsequential to me, except as its demise might impact my taxes. I'm just astounded that the PG ignored the matter.

CHESTER TACKA
Bethel Park

After reading the most recent letters about Century III Mall, "Youths fuel problem at Century III Mall" and "Mall is becoming a ghost town,'' I wonder how this negative rhetoric is going to improve any situation at the mall. Instead, it will only scare away new and existing customers and further accelerate any demise the writers claim is happening.

The first letter to the editor states "since the late 1980s to early 1990s when my daughter was a "mall rat"... -- that was years ago and doesn't necessarily reflect today. Have you been to the mall lately? Also, my "elderly" parents, who frequent the mall daily without being threatened, came home from the mall today and explained that the bus stops were moved away from the mall entrances and are now at the edge of the parking lot away from the building.

The second letter to the editor comments "If the mall continues on its current path, it will turn into another Eastland Mall. Property values will go down and boarded up homes will be the norm.''

This is especially offensive being a resident who lives less than a mile from the mall. That's a great way to put a horrible, false impression in the minds of everyone who reads the Post-Gazette and any potential customers.

I wonder, have you voiced your concerns to the owner of the mall, Simon Property Group, directly? They have a Web site with property management information and contacts listed.

Also, in defense of Christine Jamison, the mall's marketing manager, what would you expect her to say, "Spend your money somewhere else"? Century III Mall, quoted as being the "third largest in the world" when it was built in 1979 is obviously outdated and this needs to be addressed by Simon.

Maybe the community and Simon Properties should work together to resolve detrimental issues and improve the mall's image, which would hopefully increase income for retail stores, repairs and improvements to the mall.

Personally, I will be spending my IRS economic stimulus check payment, coming in May, at Century III Mall. Maybe this could help influence some positive changes at our mall!

CHRISTOPHER A. KELLY
West Mifflin