I have been a fan of musical theater ever since my mother took me to see a high school theater production of "Brigadoon." I have seen hundreds of Pittsburgh area musicals over the past three decades in a variety of venues by a wide range of performers.

One of the things that I have enjoyed observing through the years is the ebb and flow of the various Pittsburgh-based theater companies.

One of the companies I have watched with interest in recent years is Stage 62. Recently, I had the very great pleasure of attending its performance of "Titanic: The Musical" at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie.

Extraordinary voices, the irreplaceable sound of a full pit orchestra, great staging, excellent lighting and a beautiful historic music hall -- in my opinion, this production equaled any that I have seen by local professional theater groups.

In a culturally rich city like Pittsburgh, it is always difficult deciding which performances to attend. Stage 62 productions will definitely have a place on my social calendar.

LYNNE COCHRAN

Robinson

I am a resident of Bridgeville Towers and am writing concerning the Oct. 12 fire in our building.

This is to commend and honor the firefighters who were so caring and kind to all of us. They guided us, carried some of us when needed and were absolutely wonderful in making sure all were safe.

We knew they were there to help no matter what. They will always be in our prayers and we're so proud of them.

God bless them, everyone.

MARIE MILLS

Bridgeville

After reading last week's Robinson story, "GOP disputing 80 absentee ballots," I was feeling angry, but mostly ashamed of where I live.

Imagine -- 28 senior citizens out of 40 from one complex all being out of town at the same time, entire families stating they were out of town in the middle of the week during the school year and other residents claiming that they were helped in filling out their ballots.

The illegitimacy of this election seems not only plausible but likely. It would have been nice if the poll watchers tasked to count the votes had been allowed to witness these absentees and make appropriate challenges.

The polls that had the most egregious numbers of these ballots, however, would not allow the watchers to observe the count. At Forest Grove School, they were not even provided totals.

I would like to think that most of us, regardless of our political preferences, are fair-minded moral people who desire an even playing field. This latest farce is just another in a long list of transgressions involving scurrilous politics and should serve as the final straw of outrage.

As for the Allegheny County Democrats who charge that these accusers are baseless and defamatory, I suggest that they participate in the investigation. I could think of nothing better than to bring in those 255 absentee voters and have them swear under oath if they filled out their ballot, and whether those that claimed they were out of town actually were.

I'm sure that not all ballots were tainted Nov. 3, but if any of them were the people responsible need to be prosecuted. Once again, Robinson has a cloud over it because of political shenanigans.

JIM WASHBURN

Robinson

In response to "Attacks against Chartiers Valley directors appalling" (West, Nov. 12), perhaps the author is blinded by the fact that one of the directors happens to be her sister.

She claims that many people who attended the Tim McConnell hearing told her that neither her sister, Bridget Kelly, or Jeff Choura spoke out at the hearing, and that they were present only as unbiased school directors.

First of all, if they were unbiased they wouldn't have been present, as they do not routinely attend disciplinary hearings of any other employee. Secondly, the hearing minutes reflect that the hearing officer had to stop proceedings to quiet the rowdy crowd.

I also find it interesting that the author suggests that the district should not want a woman such as Dr. Whitfield serving our district, because she secured an attorney to protect her interests.

The hearing she spoke of (the McConnell hearing) was held because he hired an attorney to fight his suspension. And one of the new board majority, Pam Poletti, hired an attorney to fight the district, and was one of six board members -- along with the author's sister -- who voted to open Dr. Whitfield's position.

This is the same board majority who said they were opening the position only to have time to renew the contract, but never acted upon her contract for three months. It was only then that Dr. Whitfield filed suit.

She is competent, qualified and loyal, with 22 years of dedication to our district. She was driven to desperate measures by the current board majority.

In answer to the author's question "is this a woman we want serving our district?" perhaps we should ask our superintendent, who recommended that they approve her contract, and was ignored.

Now, two weeks after Dr. Whitfield's departure, he has decided to inform the board of his retirement. And as if that doesn't speak volumes, then just ask other district employees who have rallied to support her, but are also ignored.

What is appalling is that we have elected officials who are not acting on behalf of their constituents who have clearly sent the message that they want Dr. Whitfield back where she belongs -- at Chartiers Valley.

SUSAN PLATANIA

Scott

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