Voting is the right we have. I’m concerned because there is nothing in the newspaper about the candidates. Why? SPEAK OUT is one person’s option. I believe Mr. Soderstrom would be excellent as president. He knows protocol, speaks well, is confident and wants our village to become better—which means change. Lombard does need change.

The village candidates will be featured in the election issue on April 1. –blm

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Glad to see that Lombard has three candidates for village president this April election. The current president has been in office for 16 years and I think overall has done a good job. However, to elect him to another term would make 20 years with the same village president. This is not healthy. There should be term limits. Rick Soderstrom brings to the table fresh ideas and a downtown plan that is sorely needed. That is why I am voting for Rick Soderstrom.

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I have a zoning issue that maybe you can help me with. Are dog rescues allowed in residential areas? If they’re allowed in residential areas, what’s the maximum amount of dogs a person can have running a rescue? Must they be licensed, and if they can have more than three dogs in a residential area, why is a resident not allowed to have more than three dogs in a residential area? I know a person who has a rescue with 5, 6, 7 dogs, and the yard really smells. Everybody says, They’re licensed, this is a rescue. I just don’t think this is right, is it?

Joan Rogers of Code Enforcement responded, “The Village Code (§90.02—NUMBER OF DOGS ALLOWED) states, "It shall be unlawful for any person, family, or group of persons residing as a single housekeeping unit to keep, harbor, shelter, feed or care for more than three (3) dogs, cats, or other domestic animals over three months old on any premises. Licensed pet shops, veterinary hospitals, and kennels shall be exempt from this section of the ordinance.” If you have a question about a specific address, please contact the Code Enforcement Division at 630-620-5749. –JAC

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Well, here’s your big chance, Lombard. The DuPage Children’s Museum in Naperville is in danger of losing it’s location very soon. What better use for the old DuPage Theatre property than this? A place for our kids to go and learn, as well as an attraction to jump-start the downtown businesses. Please don’t let this opportunity get away.

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This is a question for Mr. Brown, current president of Glenbard High School District 87 school board. What is the justification and fiduciary responsibility for giving Superintendent Meissen a $6,000 raise on top of his ongoing salary of $200,000, in addition to free medical insurance, annuity and a life insurance policy? Now we learn that an assistant superintendent has been hired. Two six-figure salaries plus benefits certainly cancels out the predicted $400,000 savings of energy costs.

David Brown, board president, responded: “The Glenbard District 87 Board of Education believes the superintendent’s compensation is commensurate with the work he does leading an organization with nearly 1,000 employees and a $125 million budget. We believe Dr. Meissen is doing an excellent job, and his salary reflects the magnitude of the work and importance of educating nearly 9,000 young people. The salary increase cited by the caller is inaccurate.” Peg Mannion, community relations coordinator, added, “The board of education has not at this point taken action on a salary increase for the superintendent for next year .”–­JAC

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After attending a League of Women Voters meeting, I was very impressed with Mr. Soderstrom, who’s running for president of our village. He seems to be realistic, intelligent and a caring person. He also seems to be a keeper. Please change our village, Mr. Soderstrom. Good luck.

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Way to go, Lombard engineering and planning. You guys chose the corner of Washington and Main in front of the cemetery to put one of those beautiful new lights right in the middle of the sidewalk. Anybody on eastbound Washington who’s trying to turn onto Main Street, it totally blocks their view.

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I wanted to reach out and thank our wonderful President Obama for the huge tax cut he gave me of $8 a week after taxes. This will go so far in paying for heat, electricity, the groceries, our daughter’s college education. I’m just so grateful for the $8 a week I’m getting on this huge tax cut he has provided for us. Everybody in the country should be grateful for the $8 a week in tax relief we’re getting from President Obama. It allows me to go out and buy a 1962 Chevy so I can go to work.

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I’m calling in regard to the person who laid shame on Lombard for not having anyone go up for the board for Glenbard Township District 87. The seat’s open, you can always take it, so don’t lay shame on when you’re not willing to get in the driver’s seat yourself.

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The issue about the dog barking, just refer to the Lombard general ordinances, #90.17—loud, frequent noises declared a nuisance. It just basically says that any dog that continuously makes loud, frequent noises, offensive to a reasonable person of normal sensitivity within 200 feet, is in violation of the law as long as two different people sign a complaint. If they sign that complaint, the police have to issue a citation. So, I’m not sure what all the confusion is about this. It’s a disturbance of the peace; you’re breaking the law. Please stop.

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Hi, Lombard calling. To all the Republicans who are worried about how much money is going to be spent in the stimulus bill, I have one question. Where were all your concerns for spending while George Bush had an Iraq war going for eight years, and spent billions of dollars, not to mention the loss of countless of our bravest and youngest people? Where were you then? Where were the Republicans when George Bush was spending $2 billion a week on an unnecessary war? Now, all of a sudden they’re fiscally conservative? Come on.

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This call is about the Sheldon Peck home. You might want to think it’s a historical home in Lombard, but I consider any building that’s been moved off the original site, had all the intense work done on it to make it look more livable, does not resemble any historical home I’ve ever visited, including in Springfield, Iowa, anywhere I’ve gone. This is not a historic home. It might be a historic site to visit, it isn’t even the site. It isn’t the original site. It’s not a historic home.

It is the original site. –blm

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Hi, this is in regard to the person who keeps calling about the dogs having the right to bark. This person sounds like a barking dog every time he or she makes the paper—very rude and inconsiderate of the neighbors. Keep the dogs in the house if you like dogs so well, because other people are tired of listening to the barking. Get over it.

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Lombard calling.  For those residents who are concerned and want to see positive changes to the Lombard downtown area, there are things that can be done to make a positive impact. One, re-elect President Bill Mueller. President Mueller has been the one and only candidate working with various groups on a consistent basis to improve our downtown area and bring in new business. His opponent Soderstrom, who is currently a trustee, has done absolutely nothing to assist. Two, for those residents who live in District 1 (Greg Gron’s district), please consider electing Monte Bohacz to replace Mr. Gron. For a trustee whose district encompasses the downtown area, he has shown absolutely no concern about the state of our downtown area. We need someone in that office who cares about it. Mr. Bohacz has already been reaching out and finding out what can be done and wanting to volunteer his time.

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This is Lombard calling to comment about the story that was in the Lombardian about the 13-year-old girl saving the 2- and 5-year-old children from a house fire. I just wanted to say, good job—that’s pretty amazing what you did. And by the way, this is your friend from school.