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April 28, 2010


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This is Villa Park in response to the caller about shoveling the sidewalks and the mailman cutting across the yards. It says, “We keep the sidewalks clean by law for use for all.” That’s not the case. Unless I’m wrong, it used to be that if you shoveled the sidewalk and somebody slipped on it, then you were liable. So, they took away that you had to shovel the sidewalks. Now, you shovel them if you wish.

For clarification, in 1979 the state of Illinois passed the Snow and Ice Removal Act. The law states any owner who “removes or attempts to remove snow or ice from sidewalks abutting the property shall not be liable for any personal injuries allegedly caused by the snowy or icy condition of the sidewalk resulting from his or her acts or omissions unless the alleged misconduct was willful or wanton.”—JAC


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This is Lombard calling. I would just like to say that the postal carriers are welcome to walk across our lawn and maybe for the few people who have a problem with it, they could put a little flag on their lawn or something. I don’t think it’s realistic to expect the postal carriers to walk up one walk, walk back, and walk across the sidewalk and up another walk and back. So most people are not bothered by it, maybe they could figure out a little system for those who need the carriers to use the sidewalk.


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Sorry to hear the Taste of Lombard was forced through.With the way folks are wising up about spending I'm surprised this overpriced,understaffed,low quality entertainment mess wasn't shelved. Also, why are the fireworks married to this fest? I'd be happy to donate for a fireworks fund. Have a great summer.


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This is Lombard calling. I was reading about the bridges they want to build for the Great Western Trail and the lights they want to put in. I have this thing by my back yard; trust me, it’s a curse. There are people back there all the time. Part of me says I like lights but there’s absolutely no reason our village should be spending a penny to put a light or a bridge there. With all due respect to Mr. Hulseberg, this is why our nation, our town and our county are going broke—because of really, really poor management. When he stated that we really could use bicycle access to the train station, you know, Mr. Hulseberg, we don’t live in China. We don’t ride bikes to the train. And most of us don’t even take the train. You people just don’t get it. It’s time to stop. This is a boondoggle like the other caller said.


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This is Lombard calling about the recent renovation at the Helen Plum Library. I really enjoy seeing all the work that’s being done. We use the library on a regular basis and the staff is really nice. However, on my recent trip there I was told I can no longer browse and check out magazines and newspaper materials because they have to be moved up to the adult reading area on the second floor and children under the age of 14 are not allowed up there, including parents who bring their children under the age of 14. I think this is ridiculous because the library’s goal should be increasing usage of the materials and not denying access.


Library Director Robert Harris commented: “In order to maximize our space usage when we reorganized, we combined the new adult quiet reading room with our adult magazines and newspapers. To maintain quiet in that room, we restrict the room use to patrons ages 14 and over.  Library staff are happy to bring any magazines or newspapers from that room to the first floor for use there. Any person with a valid Plum library card can browse and check out any magazines or newspapers.”—JAC


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Hi, this is Lombard calling. I find it pretty funny that the new village vehicle sticker does not have the word Lombard or Village of Lombard on there. I don’t know whose idea it was to make a sticker that doesn’t even have the name of the village on there. Hopefully you guys can change it for next year because according to the sticker, we all live in Maple Street Chapel.


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This is Villa Park calling, just wondering if it’s true that all District 88 administrators pay zero percent on their insurance premium. I would hope this would be addressed before they start cutting teachers and programs.


Sherri Anderson, District 88 spokesperson, responded: “District 88 offers administrators insurance coverage as a competitive benefit of employment, similar to many other school districts, to attract and retain high quality candidates. In response to the financial situation, the administration is taking a salary freeze for the 2010-11 school year. Changes to employee benefits could be a future consideration since ongoing cost-savings discussions and decisions will be necessary to further reduce budget deficits.”—JAC

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Lombard calling. We put the stop lights in by the high school so the buses could get out, and we still have a policeman sitting there when the buses are loading with the lights for a half hour. I thought the stop lights were supposed to replace the policemen to let the buses get out safely. Why are we still spending a police officer’s time to sit there? Why isn’t the security lady doing it?


Deputy Chief Dane Cuny of the Lombard Police Department stated, “Glenbard East has continued to hire off-duty police for traffic control to assist the busses in exiting to avoid back ups. Traffic direction on the roadway does require police authority.”—JAC


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Lombard here. The nice weather has returned. Windows and doors are opened to let in the fresh air. Neighbors come out to enjoy their quiet yards and then the thoughtless neighbors bring out their radios and boom boxes. The Village of Lombard has a zero tolerance zoning regulation that is in place (93.01 Prohibited Noise)  to protect quiet neighborhoods. Ninety-eight percent of Lombard residents understand and appreciate their sense of social responsibility to their neighbors and keep their music quiet enough that no other neighbor can hear it beyond their property boundary as the law states. The other 2 percent who will never share that social ethic need to be reported. Let's keep Lombard a thoughtful, peaceful town that everyone can enjoy this summer.

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Lombard here calling to ask the person who blamed President Obama for the spike in gasoline prices to please call Speak Out again and explain to a puzzled reader just how Obama is supposed to control those prices. The president doesn't own the oil fields, he doesn’t set the price of a barrel of oil, he can’t dictate to gasoline suppliers what they should or should not charge for a gallon of gas, and should he ever attempt to do that, he would be accused of leading the nation down the path to socialism. So please, tell me how and why he is responsible for the high price of gasoline. Betcha can’t.


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Hi, Lombard here. Please tell me it’s just a rumor about canceling Cruise Nights. Many of the downtown stores rely on that income to make up for the slower winter months. Also, it brings much excitement and life to the downtown area.


Joelyn Kott, communications and marketing coordinator for the village, said it is a rumor: Cruise Nights starts June 5—­JAC


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Hi, we’re just calling to ask people to clean up their yard. These are new people in town so you know who you are. We don’t understand what the point is of leaving the newspaper sitting in your driveway and on your sidewalk for weeks and now months at a time. What’s the point? Why get the paper, then? Pick it up, just pick it up and put it in your garbage. Please. This is a nice neighborhood and you’re new to the neighborhood, so please, clean up after yourself.


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