I actually had to read Laura Fitzpatrick’s letter to the editor twice simply because it was so outrageous. There comes a point when disagreeing for the sake of disagreement gets old. I don’t personally know Chief DiRienzo but I cannot imagine that he would be put in his position if he displayed financial irresponsibility to the department and the village.  I would like to know what personal vendetta this trustee has against the Lombard Fire Department. I’m sure that it’s not politically correct but I would love a response from the fire department that accurately reflected the figures as opposed to the inaccurate information that appears in her letter. Perhaps this trustee should go back to the Clean Government Alliance and have them double-check their numbers.

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Good morning. I’m calling regarding a notice that was in SPEAK OUT about Box Tops for Education. I have a person who would love to bring them to their school. Please call me regarding Box Tops for Education. Thank you.

Since SPEAK OUT is meant to be anonymous (except for responses from officials), I suggest you find out the name of the school and call SPEAK OUT again—then the caller wishing to donate them can verify the information and make a choice whether or not to donate them.—JAC

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Regarding Trustee Fitzpatrick’s letter about hiring an adequate number of firefighters for the Village of Lombard, it’s extremely important that the citizens and residents of Lombard be safe and protected by their fire department and police department. If the fire chief or the police chief asks for a certain number of staff, it would seem to me that they need that number of staff to protect the people of Lombard. Plus, those firefighters or police officers are there to protect each other in times of stress and emergency and tragedy.

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This is Lombard calling. I just thought of an easy and practical way to save a lot of county money and reduce taxes. We could get rid of the county court system; there would be no more judges to pay and there would be a huge savings in district attorneys, bailiffs, courtroom buildings and maintenance costs. The jails could be reduced in size by not having to contain people awaiting trial. All we have to do in DuPage County is find two wise and valuable people like Cook County did in Jesse Jackson and Father Pfleger, then they could declare immediately guilt or innocence.

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Hello, this is Lombard calling. I’d like to make a comment about Fitzpatrick’s opinion article. I think it’s a complete joke that the lady loses in her vote on the board to get that not approved, and now she’s taken it to the public. Mrs. Fitzpatrick, work with the people; don’t try and throw them under the bus.

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Lombard calling. This past week we spotted two dead black cats in the 300 block of South Finley. We don’t know what killed them but we are advising that people keep a good eye on their pets. Thank you. Bye.

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Hello, Lombard. As the Republicans in Congress keep trying to slash social welfare programs, I would like to share a Thanksgiving prayer that recently came to my attention. The author’s name is Samuel F. Pugh. The poem is, “Oh, God, when I have food, help me remember the hungry. When I have work, help me remember the jobless. When I have a home, help me remember the homeless. When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer. And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion. Make me concerned enough to help by word and deed those who cry out for what we take for granted.” Thank you.

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How can we overcome racism when we have politicians and media continually referring to racism? Not to mention Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. The attorney general should be investigating Benghazi. If we progress on the current path we are taking, we are teaching racism. What good are laws if we don’t respect them? We are teaching our children to disrespect the law; and not worry if a crime is committed and we don’t like the verdict, we would just demonstrate and the taxpayers would foot the bill for extra police protection. If we want to demonstrate, how about we all get together and demonstrate against high gas prices?

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Where did the “Rethink the Second Amendment” person learn English and the uses of commas on “I’m reading a well-regulated militia, comma, being necessary to the security of the free state, comma, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, comma, shall not be infringed.” That isn’t what you think, caller, if you don’t know English and how you read when commas are in something. Read again. 

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This is in response to the person in July 17 about the Lombard community service officer turning right on red and all that, maybe the Lombard police should read that comment, too. They should learn how to stop at the stop signs and use their turn signals too. They give tickets out for people who don’t do it. They should start ticketing themselves. They don’t stop at stop signs or use their turn signals either. Thanks, bye.

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All right, enough is enough. This trial down in Florida—I won’t even dignify the name—everybody will know what I’m talking about, the jury was hand-picked, once again, hand-picked, by the defense and the prosecution, and came out with a not-guilty verdict. A certain percentage of people do not like the outcome. You don’t need to blame the system. The system is the one that picked the jurors. There are no civil liberties that were taken. The defense and the prosecution picked—picked—the jury. It’s a done deal. Move on, get over it. It’s really becoming annoying. The federal government should not be able to step in in this case. The jury made their decision.

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Villa Park’s roads are crumbling. Crime and gang activity are a problem in the village, and we’re constantly hearing how the village’s police, fire and public works departments are understaffed. Why, then, is the village board discussing an ordinance regarding bullying? Is it the business of the village board to legislate against bullying? Of course bullying is a problem—it has been forever. But what can a village board legally do about it? How will the board define bullying? What is a bully? Are the police supposed to respond to schools and make an arrest when one child is mean to another child? Also, isn’t there something called the First Amendment that protects freedom of speech? What is this board thinking?

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In response to the Lombard church-goer who is distressed to find Spanish hymns being sung at an English Mass, we, too, in Villa Park have had problems. Our large-print English hymnals were thrown away. They were replaced with Spanish missals that contained a few bilingual songs in the back of the book. The words to these hymns were printed in very small type in order to accommodate both English and Spanish verses. In addition, new music and convoluted melodies were substituted for old, familiar hymns and easy-to-sing responses. The congregation is now encouraged to fully participate in the Mass but many of the older members cannot see well enough to read the words to the new songs, nor are they musically talented enough to sing the new melodies. Our faith prompts us to embrace new cultures but it becomes difficult to do so when our customs, culture and traditions are continuously disregarded. Thank you very much.

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I was saddened and appalled by the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial. This, along with the recent Supreme Court decision that gutted the Civil Rights Act pauses me to ask all who read this to join me in a moment of silence to mourn the sorry state of justice in America. Thank you.

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Whoa, Mr. President, your remarks Friday on CNN stating a very difficult history exists between blacks and whites, referring to the Trayvon Martin and Zimmerman case, if this were the case, Mr. President, you would not have been elected. Why don’t you try to quell the idea of racism rather than stir the bucket?

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SPEAK OUT, I am so disappointed with the Taste of Lombard that I don’t even know if I have words for it. My daughter and I were there and she wanted to get a pretzel. She’s pregnant and yes, we are a low-income family and we have no money. They wouldn’t even let her get a pretzel without paying to get in, which we explained we have no money. They have ruined the Taste of Lombard. I know many families who feel the same just because the way they’re charging to get in. It’s horrible and they’re going to keep going down; the poor vendors losing money is even more heartbreaking. Just because of the almighty dollar. That is pathetic. I will never, ever go to the Taste of Lombard. I’ve told everybody our story and they feel a lot of issues about it. SPEAK OUT, I love you and thank you that we have you to vent to.

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OK, there is major roadwork going on in Elmhurst on Route 64, North. Unnecessary roadwork to say the least. I read that the state threw almost $2 million at the project. I drive that road almost daily; every time I’m on it I notice how nice it is. By nice I mean really nice. No potholes, no missing road striping, beautiful street lights, the whole package. What are they thinking needs to be done? The article I read said nothing about what was needed, just that the state was happy to throw money at it. Did they even look at it? Or did they just toss it toward Elmhurst to keep the wealthy campaign contributors happy? The state is broke and taxes keep going up showing no return for our money. All we keep hearing is how the state rakes in billions in new tax money and is in worse financial shape than ever. Wake up. Smell the coffee. Get with it. Do your part and stand up to these fools.

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It’s Friday night, July 19, roughly 8;30-8:45 p.m. I was not aware that it’s going to rain in Illinois in the summer. Everybody, please take cover. Batten down the hatches. It’s going to rain; it’s Armageddon; yet the Weather Channel hypes everything. I’ve got seven days of rations left. Oh, my gosh. I don’t know what else to say except goodbye.