This is Villa Park. Last Saturday, our local candidates hosted a corned beef and cabbage lunch for seniors. Heidelmeier, Gurdak, Biagioli and Pate circulated with their guests and answered  any questions they had. No big speeches—no big push—just a pleasant camaraderie which made for a very nice afternoon. Great job—their hospitality and kindness will be long remembered.

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A comment in Speak Out on March 20 in reference to the Securities & Exchange comments about the sabotaging of the Illinois pensions is incomplete. The legislation passed during the Edgar administration was supported by most of the newspapers at the time because it was an attempt to target the 90- percent goal to meet the states pension payment obligations. Michael Madigan was the Democratic supporter of this legislation. The budgets under Jim Edgar came closest to meeting the Illinois pension obligations. To seal the deal, Rod Blagojevich and the Democratic controlled legislature borrowed funds from a woefully underfunded pension. The TRS under the direction of a friend of Gov. Quinn earned a whopping 0.7 percent. I think there is enough blame to be shared by the politicians in Springfield and the people of Illinois who blindly vote for their party of preference. The man left standing is Mike Madigan.

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Wow. State Sen. Kirk Dillard got his picture on the front page of the Sun-Times; of course it was an article on the politicians who are responsible for creating Illinois’ pension disaster. 

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There once was a town that was known for its love of a beautiful flower. But not all things in the town were beautiful for indeed, there was an ugliness growing behind the scenes. At first it was barely detectable, but those in the know could see what was happening. The town was increasingly being governed by people who, on paper, looked like very capable individuals. But underneath, these elected officials were much more concerned about power and revenge than solving the town’s problems. Elections came and went but the citizens of the town were too busy with their lives to take a hard look at the candidates and in many cases, to even get out and vote. The same elected officials were returned to office and were able to bring their cronies in with them. Good people, if elected, were shunned and even driven out by the others when they would not go along with their selfish, misguided agendas. As time went on, factions warred; the ugliness grew larger and eventually spilled out for all to see. And yet, the citizens still appear to be fooled by their big signs and glossy brochures making false claims. How does the story end? Is beauty restored or does ugliness win? We will know April 9.

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I read SPEAK OUT and for one, may I say that I saw nothing wrong with Keith Giagnorio, Gron and Ware walking out on the meeting. It just seems to me it would be a real feather in the working person’s cap instead of the pretty people’s cap if Keith Giagnorio would win. It would be an interesting race for sure. Now go have fun.

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I find it interesting that the businesses downtown seem divided on who they want for trustee and village president. Driving around town, I also see a divide in the trustees’ own neighborhoods, based on the signs in people’s yards. While I think it’s time for new blood in Lombard, I can’t help but remember how our current board was also that new blood at one time, and look at how they behave now. I hope history is not doomed to repeat itself.

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To the people in SPEAK OUT who are talking about the “pizza man” walking out of a meeting, maybe they should have been at the meeting. The only possible way to end it was for somebody to give in and walk out. You certainly don’t want a lot of idle bickering on TV. And if he doesn’t walk out of his business when things are slow, he’s not going to walk out on the village. He’s got too much at stake here to do that. He is an honorable man who has been in some form of office here in Lombard for a long time. He knows the inner workings of what’s going on in the village hall. Thank you.

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There are angels among us. Mine is named Denny. I am so very grateful for all his help and caring.

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When the winter storm approached, the director of the Helen Plum Library closed the library at 1 p.m. and sent his staff home. He then re-opened the library at 1:01 and stayed so the homeless people could find a warming shelter prior to going to PADS that night. I think this exemplifies the meaning of public servant. Thank you Mr. Harris, and I am not an employee of the library.

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Hi, this is Lombard here. I would like to give major kudos to Shannon’s Deli and Butcher Shoppe. Their sandwiches are deliciously amazing and when waiting for the train, getting a nice hot cup of chicken corn chowder soup is enough to warm you up before getting on the train to go down to the city. I would love to spread the word of that establishment and their friendly service. I have not had a bad experience going to Shannon’s Deli or Corner Butcher. Thank you.

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Hi, Lombard calling. At 7:45 Friday, March 1, there was snow on the street. South Fairfield Avenue has many bus stops for the kids going to public schools plus a route for kids going to Montini High School. Why was it not salted? Is there no safety in the Village of Lombard? Township roads were nice and clean. They had been salted. Thank you.

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Hi, I’m calling from Lombard. I’ve lived here for 23 years. While all of the candidates for village president appear to be noble and of good character, and can bring something to the village, the overwhelming thing to me is “homegrown.” I want to see the guys who are rooted in the community, who have raised their family in this community, who really get the feel of the pulse of the village. I am, I suppose, cynical and suspicious why people who have no interest and have never been here before want to come in and govern our village. I really think much needs to be said for sticking with the candidates—assuming they are well-qualified, which everybody seems to be—who come from Lombard. We raised our children here. I personally know some of the candidates’ families and I know how heartfelt their desire to keep Lombard a thriving community is. So, keep that in mind on voting day. Resumés are not as important as the people behind them. Thanks.

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Hi there. I’m a Lombard resident with a question. Curious to know if any of the residents and business owners along Main Street are given a free pass on clearing their snow on the sidewalks. I’m not sure why every snow we get it seems Main Street is uncleared and it’s kind of a pain for people walking to the train. So, just curious to know why it is that they’re not required to shovel their sidewalks like everyone else. Take care.

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I know we had a major blizzard recently but was there any reason the public works department was burying the fire plugs in Green Valley? There’s no parkway there. Why didn’t they road plow that; it’s a very dangerous situation. I have a fire plug right across the street and we had to dig it out. At least put flags on them like they do in some subdivisions so they can be found when they’re plowed under. Thank you.

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Lombard calling. Addressing the comments made about the sidewalks on Westmore Avenue, north of Roosevelt Road, not being properly maintained, I couldn’t agree more. Somehow the village is so quick to start new projects when they can’t maintain what is already in place. How about the unpainted fire hydrants and rusted out lamp posts along the roadways? Why wait until the paint wears off and the rust appears? Answer? We can buy you new ones with your tax money. Thank you.

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This is Lombard calling. On March 6, the day after our heavy snowfall, my husband, who is getting on a bit in years, was trying to dig out our mailbox from all the snow that had accumulated from the snow plow. A young man dressed in a suit and tie, who had been driving down our street, stopped and asked my husband if he was trying to dig out the mailbox. He took the shovel and proceeded in no time at all to dig out not only the mailbox but the street in front of the mailbox all the way to the curb. Then he left as quickly as he had come, before my husband could thank him properly. We don’t know if this young man was a Lombard resident. I certainly hope he was, since Lombard could use many, many more people of his caliber. And, if he’s reading this we would like to thank him very much for his kindness and compassion. Thank you, bye.

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To the person complaining about the parking at Glenbard East, what is your complaint? That our children are active in sports, music, the arts and need a place to park while at school? We have children who are residents of other communities such as Glendale Heights, Carol Stream, what do you suggest they do; not be active in sports, music and the arts? If you live in or around the area and unless you purchased your home prior to 1959 when East was built, you have no room to complain. As for not being able to drive down the street, I’ve driven down Wilson for 20 years during school days and have never not been able to drive down the street. It might be time to turn in your license or learn the dimensions of your vehicle.

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Hi, this is Lombard calling. I would like to suggest that the Glenbard East parking restrictions that exist on the streets by the school not be applied to cars of residents who live on those streets. We should be allowed to park our cars in front of our own homes on school days. Can’t the police put our license numbers in their computer and see that these cars are parked legally? Thank you so much.

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Lombard calling. Instead of Lombard borrowing $10 million to pay their bills, why don’t they sell more of their assets, like the rest of us have to do? My neighbor had to sell his house. The village could sell the big lot in the middle of downtown where the old theater used to be. The village has to mow the grass. The only thing is don’t pay taxes like the rest of us. Who is in charge of all this? It has to be either the village board or the village manager, I guess. Please wake up. We won’t be in any better shape 10 years from now to pay it back. Good bye.

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I’m calling about the traffic light going north on Fairfield at Roosevelt Road leaving the shopping center at Ultra Foods. There are two left-hand lanes and one to go straight or right. It was a busy day on Sunday and many cars were waiting for the light to change. Once the light changed, many cars were honking and the lead car in the center lane was not turning. None of the cars could turn left at this lane and finally the light turned green for the cars to go straight. Luckily the car in the correct lane was aware of the car to the left and kept way over to allow the car in the wrong lane to go straight. Where is a police car when you need one? Waiting right at the light, waiting to cross right over Fairfield Road. He didn’t even stop the motorist. I don’t understand this. He should have been given a warning or ticket. Thank you.

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When John Heidelmeier left the Villa Park Police Department last year, the reason for his leaving was shrouded in secrecy between the village and the police department. Now he’s decided to run for village president and I feel that it’s time for him to come clean and provide more information about the reasons for his leaving. He’s not starting off with an air of transparency and openness, and until I can hear more of the reasons why, I can’t support him for village president. Thank you.

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Hey, Bonnie MacKay, it doesn’t matter who walked out on the trustee meetings. I don’t care who walked out. They’re all a bunch of big babies. You didn’t seem to write anything about the other people who walked out, other than Keith Giagnorio. Are you playing favorites or something? Don’t just talk about Giagnorio walking out. You never seem to respond to anybody who talks about the other ones walking out. Maybe you ought to do an article about that. Don’t just talk about one walking out when they all walked out, the three of them. Mr. President would be telling them they’re all acting like a bunch of big babies and maybe they are. Or maybe you didn’t see it that way. You’d better be careful. You may lose a lot of customers, and if you don’t do this, I’m going to cancel my subscription and I know my other friends will, too.

Perhaps you missed last week’s SPEAK OUT when I attempted to “straighten” out a caller on this subject. I cited a failed motion to adjourn at the Sept. 20, 2012, village board meeting, where District 1 Trustee Greg Gron then asked for a recess at about 9:15 p.m. Five minutes later when the recess was over, Gron, along with trustees Keith Giagnorio and Bill Ware, were no longer in the building. Due to the fact that only three board members returned to the dais after the recess, there was no longer a quorum and the meeting was adjourned without the issue of naming an acting village president being resolved. Hope that clears things up for you.—blm

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Lombard calling. This is the first time in a long time that Lombardians have had the opportunity to get rid of half the incumbents in office; the people who tax and spend, buy us a convention center we can’t afford and nobody needs, a bridge to nowhere, Lord only knows. Those are two that are classic boondoggles. Get out, time to early vote. Do not vote for an incumbent. If you do, do not complain for the next four years, or the next 20 years.