I just wanted to call to say I think people need to support the Lombardian again with a subscription rather than walking into businesses and not doing any business except picking up a free Lombardian. These people need to support the Lombardian and the town.

Thank you for words of support on our behalf, but I just wanted to set the record straight on part of your comment. The Lombardian and Villa Park Review are not free newspapers. If someone goes into a business and picks one up, the charge is 60¢ per paper. As a local, independent businesswoman, I would like to ask all our readers to please remember and support all the small businesses in Lombard and Villa Park, especially on Saturday, Nov. 26, which is “Small Business Saturday.”—blm

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I am a partner in a downtown Lombard business and am completely disgusted to learn that Greg Gron, our district trustee, who ran for re-election on the platform of revitalizing downtown and bringing new businesses here, is opening a new restaurant in downtown La Grange. How can a trustee look his constituents in the eyes and say that he is doing everything he can to bring new businesses here and then turn around and open up a family restaurant in a different town? Not once has our trustee been to our business to see how things were going or what he could do to help.  Our government officials wonder why their citizens are so disgusted with their leaders. All you have to do is look at this one instance and see why the citizens of this country are so tired of all talk and no action from our officials.

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Hi, this is Lombard calling. I was just wondering why the traffic light at Roosevelt and Meyers is so short for northbound and southbound traffic on Meyers Road. It’s ridiculously short, especially during rush hour. Is there something we can do about this? I am not understanding why it needs to only allow a handful of cars through before it changes.

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Hi, I just read Chamber of Commerce’s Yvonne Invergo’s letter in the Nov. 16 Lombardian, supporting a local business. The chamber of commerce is doing a terrific job. She and her staff are to be congratulated and I nominate Ms. Invergo for person of the year for all she does for the betterment of the village.

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I am calling to say how extremely insulted I am by the person in SPEAK OUT saying that college students are dumbed down and stuff. I went to college and came out with loans greater than I thought because the college failed to tell me things they should have told me. I asked questions but they didn’t give me all the information. I work two part-time jobs looking for a full-time job out of college to pay off these loans. Since there no jobs in the economy, I am struggling. My car is breaking down and I don’t have the money to get a new one. Maybe you should look at things closer before pointing the finger like our society seems to be doing.

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To the person who called SPEAK OUT bashing the rich and Fox News, please stop the class warfare line; it is getting old. During our greatest years, our tax was one of the lowest, both individual and small business. Get it? The low tax rate generated more jobs, whereby more people paid taxes, understand? Right now 47 percent of Americans pay no tax—that’s no taxes. Millionaires and billionaires pay the lion’s share of our taxes. Do you live in America? You should pay some tax. Stop asking others to pay more if they are paying their fair share.

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I voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and I have to admit he’s been a disappointment. At the time I thought he was 100 times better than George W. Bush. Now I believe he’s only 10 times better.

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I know the village won’t answer this, so I will phrase it as a statement of suggestion. I have seen quite a lot of road kill lately around town in Lombard, and wish the village had someone who would collect and dispose of those carcasses on a regular basis. Besides being gross to look at and maybe even a source of disease, I don’t like driving by day after day and watching the decomposition process right before my eyes until there’s hardly anything left to see. I know there are more pressing matters in the village, but it would make our streets look nicer.

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Greetings, this is Lombard calling. Just wanted to thank the LPD and village for their speedy attendance to a crash on Willow and Elizabeth at about 3:40 on Nov. 10. Great job, except for the fact that the car debris is still there and the uprooted tree remains laying in the parkway. For some reason, Lombard always manages to do the job halfway. Come on, Lombard, quit leaving your A game at home; or do you even have an A game?

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Hi, this is Lombard calling in regard to the road construction that was done at Main and 17th streets over the summer. I wanted to know when the contractor is going to pick up his equipment. He’s got a lot of equipment and other stuff still on the corner and it’s going to get buried in the snow soon and they’ll be there in the spring. Just wonder when he’s going to finish cleaning up his mess.

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Lombard. Hey, Bonnie, I know the village won’t answer, but they apparently read SPEAK OUT. If the village could send out the street sweeper cleaner machine during leaf season, mid-October through the end of November, once a week, for those of us who live near parks, that would be so absolutely, wonderfully terrific. If that’s too much, it’s only six times, once a week, at least could the village send out the street sweeper cleaner machine after tremendously windy days to help us out? Thanks so much, Bonnie. Thank you very much for all you do for the Village of Lombard and the residents of Lombard.

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Good morning, Lombard. I just witnessed something very fabulous going on in our community. Somebody was having car trouble and trying to push the car from under the viaduct around the corner. As soon as the traffic light turned, all the walkers going to the train swarmed on this person’s car and helped push it out of the line of traffic. What a wonderful day.

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This is in reply to the barking dogs. Yes, we have plenty of them and I am tired of hearing, “That’s what dogs do.” We have rude people who continually leave the dogs out for hours on end—no food, no water, just put them out in the yard. Dig under the fence, bark at all hours of the night. The reply to this is 9-1-1 and the police do come out. Eventually the people will get ticketed and go to court.

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As the trend to phase out the antiquated township form of government continues to spread throughout the United States, a concern has been expressed by tax watchdog groups concerning excessive spending by township administrators. Dwindling tax dollars are now being spent for equipment and activities that are provided by local villages, towns and related municipalities. Suddenly, spikes in salaries and benefits have been observed in areas where townships are being consolidated into larger, more efficient, tax-saving communities.

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Hello, this is Lombard calling. Just reading in SPEAK OUT on Nov. 16 how people are complaining that somebody is not getting up early enough to make it to the train on time and they should set the alarm clock earlier. I can’t help but wonder if these are the same people who are showing up after 7:30 in the morning and having to drive around forever to find a place to park and they’re running late because of that.

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This is Lombard calling. Someone put a SPEAK OUT in the Nov. 16 paper saying that somebody was blowing leaves in the street and that they have the same problem. There is a village ordinance on it and yes, you have to dial 9-1-1; yes, I’ve used this several times; and yes, a community service officer comes to your home if you want them to and they will explain what they’ve done and if they’ve issued a citation, warned these people, whatever. Don’t stop calling 9-1-1. They send out a community service officer, not a police officer, OK? The CSOs work hard and they do come out. I don’t know what you’re talking about but every time I’ve called, they come out. Just don’t stop calling, OK? We’ve got to keep the sewers clean because we pay to keep them clean.

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Hello, everybody. We spend too much money in this country the wrong way, and I think one of the things we should be doing in observance of Veterans Day is if you are a citizen of the United States and you were a veteran, only the veterans should get a day off with pay. All others who reap the benefit should not be getting it. That’s a waste of money and it has no significance. So if all you people who read SPEAK OUT feel the way I do, send a letter to your congressman and tell him or her only veterans should be receiving the benefits and they should be able to receive the benefit of getting a job, too, instead of every foreigner who comes into this country.

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I read that Lombard is spending $30,000 on Christmas decorations. Guess the budget is not that tight. My trustee didn’t represent me on that decision, that’s for sure. And, I saw the boughs and strings of lights on at night already along Main Street, and the wreaths with lights, and it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. How much is that adding to the village’s electric bill, which we pay for?

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The liberal who puts his opinion in SPEAK OUT every week is apparently not working and living on Obama’s free handouts. I suggest if you want a communist country, go to Cuba.

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After researching performance on events coinciding with news releases on Lombard’s village manager, David Hulseberg, and the community development of Lombard, I wonder how long the people of Lombard are willing to be held hostage. He has held power for years in his positions and yet we still have so many vacant lots. He created the situation long before our present economic crisis. What is the village doing about the property it acquired where the DuPage Theatre once stood? What about the businesses made vacant on St. Charles Road? We all miss the bowling alley on Roosevelt Road. No one’s allowed to answer these problems because of the gag rule implemented by Mr. Hulseberg and village hall. I think Lombard has become counterproductive because of these events. Lombard should sell the theater property, which it acquired for nothing, and let the open market handle what it can work out.

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Trustee Gron said in an article of the likely property tax increase that it will help with operating expenses and the need to keep afloat, otherwise the village would have to make even more cuts. Well, sir, what about the taxpayers? We’ve already had to make cuts, too; from luxuries like cable TV and bowling nights to necessities such as gasoline—not as many shopping trips to Yorktown, etc.—and food. Now you want us to make even more sacrifices? How, then, will the taxpayers stay afloat? We are the backbone of Lombard’s budget, after all. Or should I say, the budget is riding on the backs of Lombard residents and businesses? That is making us sink.

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I am saddened by things happening in our country, state and town. Yes, I know you’re going to say the old guy’s going to talk about the past and how great it was. The difference between now and then are the people. Politicians are politicians. In the past people made them accountable and held the politicians in check. Now the politician has run amok and the people have taken their freedom for granted, which means we may lose it. We won’t lose it all at once—just a little at a time. Please wake up.

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I just read the SPEAK OUT where it’s about the park district and Paul Friedrichs answered the question and said that the food drive is a good social agenda, but if the children really need a good social agenda, let their parents take them to church. The park district is not the socialization of youth.

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I’m calling in response to the caller who seemed worried about the park district distributing bags to collect food for the hungry. I find it sad, especially as the holiday season approaches, that anyone would begrudge efforts made to help those who are hungry. As for the comparison to Oak Park, I can only say that being compared to a community rich in history with great architecture, vibrant community service areas, commercial districts and residents who care and take a stand on social issues is quite a compliment to Lombard.

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I’m reading the so-called Lombard Pride newsletter and it says, and I quote, “Backyard fireplaces are allowed.” Allowed—that’s the way your government sees you; they are all powerful and they allow you to do things. Apparently our government has forgotten about the little-known document called the Constitution, that says the government derives its power from the people. For a government to say it allows the people to do something is in direct contradiction to the U.S. Constitution. If this doesn’t bother you, then you’re too young to remember the Soviet Union. Then the newsletter goes on to say how tall your hedges can be and how close to your driveway you can plant things. It reminds me of a little red book that Chairman Mao made everyone carry at all times. They just keep chipping away at our freedoms. We’re going in a very dangerous direction.