Recently, I attended a graduation party at the Museum Building at the South Park Fairgrounds. This was my first visit to [there] in many years and I was quite surprised that the maintenance has gone downhill since my last visit.

The fairgrounds used to be one of the premier points in the park for large groups to hold picnics and parties. It was quite appalling to find unsanitary restroom conditions; the ladies room looked as though it had not been cleaned in years. There [were cobwebs and insects]. There are no doors on the stalls, only shower curtains that are half ripped and in tatters. Some toilets didn't even have seats. Maintenance must breeze through, install toilet paper and paper towels and do nothing else. I heard that the men's room was in no better condition.

The area around the fairgrounds is also quite depressing. There are buildings with broken windows with trash lying around.

Where are all the county property tax dollars we are paying going? Obviously, not to county park maintenance.

South Park is supposed to be a park for families. I wouldn't take my family there if it were the only park around. It is a disgrace to have what used to be a nice park turn into a garbage dump. County officials apparently do not oversee South Park's maintenance crews -- another sign of county tax dollars going to waste.

Our county executive should take a walk in the park. I doubt if he saw the filth that he'd hold an event there.

My advice: The county should get off of its duff and "clean up South Park" and put all of the excess drink tax dollars that have accumulated for the Port Authority fund to good use!

JAN BENTON

Baldwin Borough

I am writing to dispute Frank Kerber's insinuation that Upper St. Clair School director Dr. Dan Iracki was against an international perspective in our curriculum and that his resignation from the school board will benefit our students. ["District cannot afford to ignore globalization,'' Letters to the editor, South Aug. 21.]

On the contrary, our community will sorely miss his clear thinking and honesty. His decisions were based on deep convictions about what he believed was best for the students.

Furthermore, Mr. Kerber is incorrect when he implies that Dr. Iracki sought to "shield" our students from an international perspective, citing his objection to the International Baccalaureate program.

Does Mr. Kerber think that the only way we can provide our students with a global perspective is by purchasing the IB program? According to Mr. Kerber then, since we are the only school in the South Hills which offers IB, there are an awful lot of globally deprived students here.

Contrary to Mr. Kerber's assertions about their reasons, Dr. Iracki and his colleagues objected to IB because it is expensive and duplicative. Additionally Dr. Iracki believes IB seeks to teach moral relativism and therefore can potentially undermine the faith and moral values taught by parents in the home. He does not advocate teaching religion in the school.

Mr. Kerber and others have completely misunderstood and therefore misjudged him. His resignation is a great loss to our community.

PATRICIA DONLON

Upper St. Clair

Also writing to praise Dr. Iracki was Mark Trombetta, who served on the school board with him. Dr. Trombetta is former member and president of the board.

South welcomes your letters. Please limit them to 250 words, include your name, address and phone number, and send to Letters to the Editor, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh 15222. You may also e-mail letters to letters@post-gazette.com or fax to 412-263-2014.