I want to know what’s going on with the Villa Park trustees. First they give the village manager two salaries for one job; next the police chief “retires” with a full pension and benefits but keeps his job with a full second salary plus more benefits. That’s clearly double dipping but the trustees lay off two village workers with 20 and 25 years’ experience on the job. Why? To pay the big-wigs their fancy bonuses, and now they want another $27 million for road repair again? What happened to the board money for the same project a couple of years ago? We’re getting taxed to death. Why can’t we have trustees who can handle the village finances?
According to Bob Niemann, Villa Park village manager, the information you cite is inaccurate. He indicated that, first of all, he does not receive two salaries for one job. In fact, he receives one salary for two jobs—that of village manager (a position he has held for nearly seven years) and also head of the parks and recreation department. He does, however, receive a stipend for extra duties. As for the retired police chief, Niemann said the chief receives his retirement pension, but through stage legislation was hired back in such a way that he receives 40 percent less than his previous salary, and also, the village is no longer paying into that retirement pension. The village manager said the move has saved an estimated $75,000 a year. As for laying off employees, “We have not laid off any employees,” Niemann stated, adding that some employees have taken early retirement incentives. The voting public defeated the $27 million for road repair. Niemann said that a January 2007 sales tax increase of a half cent adds up to about $1.4 million in revenue annually, so those monies and grants have been earmarked for road work.—JAC
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This is Lombard calling. Once again the Census forms are here and this time they are run by the White House so they are going to count an estimated 12-20 million illegals in this country as citizens. The latest example of a government that is not following our Constitution.
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Village Manager Hulseberg continues to show how out of touch he is with the ongoing economic crisis in Lombard and throughout our country. I think his take on the Great Western Trail and Prairie Path bridges is totally unrealistic; to spend millions of tax dollars on such projects is extravagant and wasteful. What Lombard needs is a tax rebate program so people can pay their mortgages and other essential bills. Many communities are developing a new model for their administrative personnel. This model combines the village manager and finance director positions, the village planner and engineering person are contract designations. Public safety combines the police and fire departments in a dual function with half the current personnel and cost. The aforementioned model saves dwindling tax dollars.
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Hey, Villa Park. What happened to the off-track betting, a good source of tax money? Did we fool around too long, did they finally decide to move on or is it still going to happen?
Bob Niemann, Villa Park village manager responded, “It was a victim of the economy,” but he added, “It’s still on the table.” The village manager said he recently met with the owner of the proposed restaurant/off-track betting facility and the developer, and he anticipates a lease agreement could be forthcoming in a few weeks. If all goes as planned, construction could begin this summer, Niemann added.—JAC
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This is to the person who said in SPEAK OUT that Muslims should go through scanners because they are living in America and need to adapt to our rules. That might possibly be the most ignorant comment I’ve ever heard in my life. To everyone who is presented with a scanner, you should not go through it because there are plenty of studies stating that it can cause cancer; because it emits radiation that is equal to over 200 X-rays. That’s beside the point. You can opt out of a scanner and say you don’t want to go through the scanner and they will pat you down instead.
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Hi, Lombard calling. How about putting a big construction horse over that big pothole in front of the Islamic Foundation School on Highridge Road before somebody gets in an accident? At least a construction horse. If not, fix the pothole; that would be great.
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Hello, could you find out and confirm or deny the rumor about the library? There is a rumor that the library is going to be closed on Tuesdays, afternoons, evenings or all day. Can we please get the facts?
Robert Harris, executive director of the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library, said that there was “not even a discussion” about limiting the hours or closing on Tuesday. He added, “We have no intention of doing that at all.”—JAC
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It seems the squeaky wheel gets the grease—the Taste of Lombard will go on. I, for one, have not attended for some time since the quality of music has decreased and food prices have increased. I mean, $4 for a pretty small slice of pizza and $5 or more for a little serving of funnel cakes? That’s not cheap when you are trying to get a taste at the Taste for a family, now is it? I hope the planners keep this in mind now that people will also have to pay to get in. Make it worth it: Hire cooler bands and require that food vendors offer their so-called Taste items at a more reasonable price for the portions they offer so it won’t be so expensive to eat there. Oh, and how about having more local eateries, since it’s called the Taste of Lombard?
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Lombard, I would like to know when the village is going to take responsibility and fix South Edgewood Avenue between 1156 and 1171. We are incorporated and the residents have the right to know from the village why this deplorable section is not maintained. Reply, please.
Carl Goldsmith, who heads up the public works department, addressed your comments: “In regard to the inquiry on the pavement in the 1100 block of S. Edgewood, I can offer the following: In 2006, the public works department prepared plans for the roadway improvements along Edgewood Avenue between Central and Roosevelt through the establishment of Special Assessment 218B. The project was to include the reconstruction of the roadway, including curbs, gutters, sidewalks and street lighting. However, the village was unable to secure the necessary permanent easements to construct storm sewers that would convey storm water from the area to Old Grove Pond. As such, the village will maintain the open ditch drainage system and will not fully improve the roadway, as originally intended. As for the maintenance of the existing roadway surface in the 1100 block of Edgewood, the village conducts a pavement rating of all roadways in Lombard. Based upon the rating, streets are programmed into the annual Capital Improvement Plan. The FY 2011 (June 1, 2010-May 31, 2011) does not anticipate any resurfacing of this pavement section. The public works department will continue to monitor the condition of the roadway and at such time as funds are available, the village will resurface the street.”—JAC
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What a nice welcome into Lombard—going south on Main Street from North Avenue—the bumpy street that is begging to be repaved. I know we have a lot of streets that need resurfacing but I suggest the powers that be consider the proverbial first impression of Lombard that drivers will have when they’re being jostled in their vehicle.
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This is an important question for the Lombard postmaster: Why hasn’t the Saturday mail delivery schedule been canceled? Please respond.
Sean Hargadon, U.S. Postal Service spokesperson, said, “We want to go to five-day delivery,” but the postal service has to follow a process and make its case to a number of agencies, including the Postal Regulatory Commission, before the proposal reaches Congress. Then, Congress will have to approve the measure and change the law, Hargadon said, adding, “That’s a big step.” He said that, at the least, the process could take until early 2011.—JAC
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Lombard calling. The “At This Stage” in the March 10 issue talked about the wonderful fundraiser that was held. It pushed the slogans “Lombard Pride” and “You should be in Lombard,” yet they held the event in Elmhurst. My jaw dropped. Really? They couldn’t find a venue in Lombard and support a local business? Isn’t that the idea? How disingenuous and disappointing of this group. Shame on them.
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Hi, this is Lombard calling. Have you seen the health club at the Glenn Westlake Middle School? It’s really nice and why can’t our tax dollars be put toward a health club for the park district as nice as that health club? Or, better yet, I think they should open the exercise at the middle school for all Lombard taxpayers, rather than just the teachers of District 44.
District 44 Superintendent Dr. James Blanche responded: “Approximately seven years ago the Lombard Park District and District 44 collaborated to open the Westlake facility for interested community members. This joint venture ran for two years and was discontinued due to a lack of participation. There are 120 District 44 staff members signed up to use the facility, although actual participation numbers are typically low. This room and the equipment get heavy use during school days and provide our middle school students a quality experience under close supervision.”—JAC
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Watching the news, I see that many school districts say they are going to start cutting after-school programs for sports; a lot of them middle schools and several of them high schools. Oh, my gosh, they’re going to get rid of water polo and lacrosse? Oh, my gosh, what are we going to do? What’s next; are they going to get rid of curling? Oh, my gosh, doomsday is here.
