This is Lombard calling. Just wondering whatever happened with that contestant from Lombard who ran for Mrs. Illinois. Hope you can post an update. Bye.

An e-mail from Lombard resident Tiana Belanger related that she was fourth runner up in the pageant. “I am officially Mrs. Lombard,” Belanger added.—blm

* * *

This is Lombard calling. I was dropping my kid off at the new skate park. It is the smallest skateboard park I’ve ever seen. There are dozens and dozens of kids outside because there’s not enough room for them to be inside. Do they really think that only one or two kids in the whole town skateboard? Kids all over this town skateboard. We’ve got dozens of baseball fields and football fields and we give them this little park?

* * *

Hello, downtown Lombard. How much money was spent on the most recent study by an outside consultant for downtown Lombard? When are we going to stop sinking money into this bottomless money pit of a so-called downtown area? Let the market force take its own course.

William Heniff, director of community development, responded: “The Regional Transportation Agency (RTA) awarded the village a downtown planning grant to undertake comprehensive planning activities within the downtown area, including a review of site development options, transportation needs, economics, aesthetics and implementation strategies. The village’s contribution to this effort is not to exceed $25,000, which will come out of the previously established tax increment financing accounts, while the RTA is contributing $100,000 to this effort. Responding directly to concerns previously expressed by residents and businesses, the village board identified downtown planning and development as a priority in its strategic plan. By securing funding from outside sources, the village can undertake this effort while minimizing the costs to local taxpayers. It is hoped and envisioned that through these efforts, market forces will favorably respond and provide direction for future public expenditures.”—JAC

* * *

I recently was driving south on Elizabeth, and was behind a truck, both crossing over the railroad tracks. The truck and I went to turn left on Parkside, which is right past the tracks. Fortunately I was paying attention, because just as the truck turned left, it abruptly—and I emphasize abruptly—stopped on the side of the road, not even two car lengths from the intersection we’d just turned from. Thank goodness I was alert, but I still had to swerve around into the oncoming lane to avoid hitting the truck. It happened that fast, and I was not riding the truck’s bumper. So, be careful when making that turn from Elizabeth going south and turning east onto Parkside. I was lucky.

* * *

Hi, this is Lombard calling. Just want to know why we cannot have a four-way stop at Central and Stewart. Those of us traveling east and west sometimes have to wait long periods of time for all the traffic to come back and forth. People of Lombard just don’t understand why that cannot be a four-way stop when we have four-way stops every other place. Can you please explain? Thanks.

Deputy Chief Dane Cuny of the Lombard Police Department addressed your concern: “The intersection at Central and Stewart was recently studied and the low volume of traffic on Central does not justify a four-way stop. Stop signs must be warranted based upon the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Installing stop signs when they are not warranted can actually increase accidents so it is safety issue.”—JAC

* * *

I read in Speak Out that on the north side of Main Street—that the lights that they’re putting up cost almost $700,000. In a recessionary downturn, where houses are foreclosed on on a frequent basis, the property values have diminished, and the money is in a decreasing supply for the village as well as other organizations, who would approve $700,000 for street lights?

* * *

Hello. It is Thursday morning, Sept. 30, and I just dropped my kids off at Glenbard East. First off, thanks to those folks who sent their kids to school, and didn’t give into what was going on at the school. Secondly, for all the folks who kept their kids home; really, seriously, why are you giving into this? Is tomorrow going to be a better, safer day? I don’t know what folks are thinking, but please don’t give into the person(s) who’s doing this stuff.

* * *

The Village of Lombard has an advisory referendum on the November ballot to change police and fire pensions. The fault, people, lies with politicians at the state and federal level for any government pension—funding it and structuring it. They are deflecting the problem, which is the politicians themselves. Police and fire do not get Social Security. Perhaps they should be politicking to change your Social Security. I am not a policeman, nor am I a fireman, nor is anybody in my family. This is typical of politicians, to deflect the problem, which is them.

* * *

Short and sweet. Cruise Nights stinks.

* * *

I read with great interest the person from Lombard who lives near railroad tracks at Elizabeth and Maple. Once again, you chose to move near the railroad tracks, just as people choose to live next to airports. They can’t complain about the noise. You moved there. It also has to do with people who move next to large bodies of water, such as rivers, creeks or streams, that overflow. You chose to move there. If you don’t like it, move.

* * *

The Lombardian used to be an excellent community newspaper and I used to read it. Now, they deliver it to my house and I throw it away because I’m no longer interested in reading Fox News in print with, one week, Peter Roskam’s Fox News talking points and the other week, sore losers of the DuPage Theatre. Don’t need it anymore. Don’t read it anymore. Don’t want it anymore.

* * *

Hi, I’m calling from Lombard. I own a home in Lombard, and my concern is about the condition of the roads in the town of Lombard, particularly Main Street, north of St. Charles Road, and Grace Street, north of St. Charles Road. They’re terrible and unsafe, and also quite an embarrassment for a town in DuPage County. I did bend a rim on North Main Street. That cost me $700, and the village said they’re not liable. But not only that, it’s mostly the appearance of the roads, and the condition. I’m hoping that they’re going to take some of my tax dollars and redo the roads to make them safer and more visually appealing.

You can cross Main Street off your list of concerns as an Oct. 11 village press release stated that Main Street, between Grove and Pleasant streets, was scheduled for closure on Tuesday, Oct. 12, to have the surface removed. A drive down Main Street Tuesday morning confirmed the closure, so work appears to be progressing as planned. The street is scheduled for closure again on Thursday, Oct. 14, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., to patch the base. Northbound traffic will be detoured from Grove to Charlotte to Pleasant, while southbound traffic will be detoured from Brown to Park to Grove. Don’t forget that the scheduled work is dependent on the weather. If you have any more questions, you can contact Paul Kuehnlenz, civil engineer, at 630-620-5976.—blm

* * *

I’d like to speak for a moment about the ignorance and stupidity of my fellow human race. I’m at a light in Lombard, and there’s an accident, so I can’t turn left. In front of me, there’s a semi who couldn’t turn left, so he turned right and got stuck, and blocked my way to go straight. So I can’t go left and I can’t go straight. So the light turns green, and everybody behind me starts honking. Obviously, you can see what’s going on in front of me. I can’t go left. I can’t go straight, and I can’t go right because there are other cars next to me turning right, and all of you behind me are honking at me. So what exactly is it that you expect me to do? I’m just wondering, because what I’d like to do is just get out and show you all what’s going on in front of me, because obviously you don’t understand it. So that’s my complaint.

* * *

I’m reading in one of the papers that Lombard and several other suburbs are taking down their red light cameras. It’s interesting timing that this is happening in October, six weeks before the election. I guess they think we’re dumb enough not to realize what they’re doing. Another reason to throw them out. Let’s get some new blood in there—Lombard, state, the county, and while we’re at it let’s get rid of the township entirely. Thank you.

* * *

This is Villa Park calling. I just wanted to thank Villa Park for having a bridge that’s covered in complete weeds and grass. I feel really honored to live in this town, where I can’t even cross a major four-lane bridge. You guys need to hire someone, maybe, to cut the grass on the bridge. I’m available, so go ahead and get back to me, because God knows you guys will never get that bridge going, which is a major thoroughfare, by the way. And just to let you know, all the towns around us make fun of us. But I know we’re all used to that here. Thanks a lot.

* * *

Evidently the Lombard village president did not read about the retirement package that will benefit our retiring fire chief. The excessive benefits are mind-boggling considering the downturn in our economy. By law, the public safety referendum that will appear on the November ballot has to be printed in local newspapers and displayed in the library and village hall. The public safety employees of Lombard are union members and made the adult decision to follow this concept throughout their careers. The choices of their employment they have made over the years were their responsibilities, not the overburdened taxpayers of Lombard. The Village of Lombard is not a social agency.

* * *

Hi, Lombard here. Obviously the president is now saying that the Republicans’ plan is a disaster---failed repeat policies that got us into this thing. Excuse me, but you’ve brought the deficit up to trillions versus billions since you’ve been in office. You’ve apologized for American citizens and actions around the world, calling us not exceptional. You’ve also been a very weak leader, and look at our economy, is probably the major thing here.

* * *

Hello, I’m calling in reference to the recent episode that happened at Glenbard East. I would like to call and say thank you and kudos to the deans and staff at Glenbard East, and to the Lombard police officers for diligently looking into the graffiti and locating the persons who had taken care of this, and done something that they thought was a joke, and was not a joke. It has put some ease into Lombard, people knowing that we still do live in a good community.

* * *

I read in the Lombardian about the senior driving class being offered by the former owner of the White Hen Pantry. What a wonderful thing for people to take advantage of. Remember that doctors and dentists have to continuously take training and classes to maintain their skill level, and it’s the same thing for drivers. I would not be ashamed to say that you took that class, plus you get a discount on your insurance. It would be nice if teenagers had a similar course they could take, so that they could learn the benefits of not texting while driving, and that would help all of us also.