I just saw the Lombard Police Department’s new vehicle, with the fancy new mag wheels. I’m so glad they paid extra for those because they look so nice and I know we have so much money that this seems like a really good way to get rid of some of it. Nice decision, whomever’s decision this was. Good job.

Your question was posed to Lombard Police Deputy Chief Dane Cuny, who related that the department does not have any squad cars with mag wheels.—blm

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Looks like President Obama is finally getting the economy back on track after eight long years of it failing because of tax breaks for the rich.

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Lombard, you need to do something about the traffic light on Roosevelt Road and northbound Main Street. I pulled up, I was north of 13th Place, and I am sitting through my fourth light, and I haven’t crossed Roosevelt Road yet. It’s so short, three cars couldn’t go through at each light. It’s ridiculous. I know Roosevelt is a busy street, but maybe the left turners on Main Street have to give up some time. See what you can do.

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Hi, I had called in to say Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth to all. I saw in SPEAK OUT that it didn’t say “Merry Christmas.” It says “Happy Holidays.” I guess nobody will say “Merry Christmas” for fear of the repercussions. I will keep calling until you put in “Merry Christmas.”

If you are referring to the Jan. 6 edition of SPEAK OUT, “Merry Christmas” was omitted is because Christmas had already passed by the time the call was screened and printed in the newspaper. Also, there is no mention of “Happy Holidays” in the sentence.—JAC

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Lombard calling. In regard to the recent comments about Comcast and senior discounts, Joelyn Kott, communications and marketing coordinator for the Village of Lombard, stated that Lombard’s franchise agreement does not offer a senior citizens rate, then made a point that it’s not that Lombard doesn’t allow it. So, in other words, assuming that Lombard’s the franchisee and Comcast is the franchiser, the Village of Lombard did not consider a senior discount important in their contract negotiations, but other towns as franchisees did. Sounds like they consider us unimportant. Interesting that in the same SPEAK OUT column, the village did not find it important to give parking information to another caller. All this is making it pretty clear that the village’s services priorities are not that of their citizens. Yes, very interesting indeed.

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Villa Park calling about red-light cameras. I think we should all remember who put them up, who approved them, who’s in office. We can vote them out next time they come up for election. They work for us and they’re just milking us for extra money any way they can. They’re going to take them out anyway, eventually, just like Schaumburg did. People are going to stop coming to your town, stop patronizing your businesses if they’re going to take advantage of us with these red-light cameras, which are nothing but a bunch of baloney. So, vote them out. Vote out your trustees, and I believe Sen. Cronin, I wish he’d answer this question. I think he had a lot to do with this legislation.

State Sen. Dan Cronin responded to your comments by saying, “Locally elected officials are responsible for decisions regarding red light cameras in ther communities and should be held accountable. Personally, I am opposed to red light cameras.”—JAC

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This is Lombard calling. I like living in Lombard but I just have one small complaint and maybe someone could give me an answer or fix it. We just need more businesses. How come all the businesses are still empty in Lombard, such as Amazing Graze, the Smokes for Less and the other ones on St. Charles Road and Main Street? We need to build more businesses to keep the community stronger; we need more support. It would just be nice if there were a couple more businesses to open up in the vacant property that has been there for years. I hope to hear from you soon and maybe someone can get the answer.

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I recently heard that York Township has approximately 20 miles of road within the area and the highway commissioner for York Township is paid $70,000 a year and has a full-time secretary, and after two full terms, he receives a retirement pension. Is this true?

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Hi, Lombardians. Is there anybody else out there who is as mad at the post office as I am? Well, specifically, their carrier? Well, if you are, I suggest you write or call the postmaster of Lombard. First of all, mine can’t put a vertical letter in a vertical slot. The carrier tries to do it horizontally, then leaves notes about it being too full when there’s not even a quarter of an inch in there. My neighbor gets eight to 10 catalogues that fit beautifully. We’ve got to do something, folks; upset Lombardian.

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I thought senators were special people, fighting and working for us ordinary people, fighting to keep this nation strong. I was wrong. Some are cowards; some strive for special favors; we have the back-room deals back; Chicago-style politics; Huey Long; and smoke-filled rooms are back. I am deeply saddened.

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Lombard calling. Does anyone thank Steve for his photos? He’s wonderful. The front page of the Jan. 6, Volume 52, Number 1 where it shows the slide at Paradise Bay that they call the “Toilet Bowl,” I think that’s an award-winning photo. And the collage is excellent. I’m very pleased; a very cheerful way to begin by looking at the front of the Wed., Jan. 6 issue. Steve, you’re a very good photographer and I like the picture of the Toilet Bowl.

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Did Lombard not negotiate a discount for seniors in its contract with Comcast? It’s bad enough the cable company is squeezing us by eliminating basic cable channels little by litte and more or less forcing us to pay more if we want the basic channels we were used to. Where is Lombard in stopping that from happening? I don’t think seniors are a priority for the village. Remember, we didn’t get a cost-of-living increase this year.

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This is Lombard calling. I am wondering if somebody can please tell me how much the Village of Lombard paid to have subcontractors put up all the decorations on the streets. I’m sure working in the afternoon and evenings we were probably charged overtime and then I also noticed Lombard’s got a lot of money for the Lombard village streets and sanitation to work overtime, too and that they’re working on Sunday nights cleaning streets, which is absolutely ridiculous. Can someone tell me how much we paid to have other people put up our decorations, when I think the Village of Lombard should be spending it for themselves? There has to be a cost savings. Thank you—hope you can help me.

Joelyn Kott, communications and marketing coordinator for the village, explained: “The village has contracted out its seasonal decorations and banner program to a contractor because it saves the village money to do so. It is more cost effective for the contractor to do the job than paying village employees. In addition, the company the village contracts with stores all of the materials off-site, also at a cost savings to the village. The holiday decorations budget is $30,000.  This cost, which has remained the same for the past many years, includes the cost of the materials as well as the labor.  And, this budget item is funded by the hotel/motel tax fund.”—JAC