In the July 22 Lombard blotter, I see that while the police responded to calls about fireworks, no tickets were issued. The people told police they would stop. I thought it was illegal, so why weren’t these people given citations? Just a slap on the wrist, if anything. No wonder we don’t have confidence that the police will do something about this.

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In regard to the fireworks remark in a recent Lombardian that all you have to do is report it to the police, two years our neighbors called the police, they came out, they saw themselves the neighbors shooting off huge, loud fireworks. They were shocked by the sound and size of the fireworks. They were still required to sign a formal complaint. Based on this experience, the police will not give a ticket or arrest anyone unless somebody else does a formal complaint. It is not that easy to get these fireworks in Lombard to stop. Thank you.

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Lombard calling. I cannot believe the Village of Lombard would send out reminders about the Fourth of July fireworks. The fireworks were publicized in the paper and on TV. It has cost time and money. It’s ridiculous. Also, I live by Madison Meadow. There were many illegal fireworks going on in my neighborhood. It was very dangerous and loud. I had a lot of fear in my own home. I was very scared and I think a lot of other people were. I called the police, nothing was done, and I just wish the police were more on this. It was just too crazy. Thank you, goodbye.

These three comments were forwarded to the Village of Lombard, which supplied the following:

“The Lombard Police Department responds to dozens of calls a day about fireworks on or around the Fourth of July. On an annual basis, the police department sends out a notice to advise residents of the dangers of fireworks and the fact that they are illegal under both state law and local ordinances. Given the increase in call volume around the Fourth of July, officers will always exercise discretion in handling complaints about fireworks. This can include a warning or an arrest citation depending on the circumstances. Residents can always call 9-1-1 to report the illegal use of fireworks and the address where it is occurring. It is not required that you give your name.”—blm

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I’m reading SPEAK OUT and I noticed that people are unhappy about the chipmunks in their backyard and someone said to call Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. I have a better idea. Buy a cat. Let the cat out in your yard. I have a cat in my yard. For the last eight years I haven’t had a chipmunk, or let me say, at least I haven’t had a chipmunk I’ve seen.

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Hello, Villa Park-ers, we have a hoarder among us. Not new to the area, it’s been going on for over five years. The village is aware but apparently does nothing. They issue some tickets but do nothing to have the hoarder clean up his act. They say it’s with the courts but do nothing to force the clean-up of the area. It’s disgusting. There is stuff all over the yard and driveway. I’d be afraid to see in the house. Hey, village president and board of trustees, you could put some pressure on to get it cleaned up.

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This is just interested in Lombard. Curious as to when the railroad underpass is going to completed. I thought it was reported to be done sometime in March and we’re quickly approaching August. So if we could find out from the village, that would be appreciated. Thank you.

Your question was sent to the Village of Lombard, which responded with the following:

“The Metra Underpass Project is being completed by John Burns Construction through a contract with Metra. The Village of Lombard has been involved with the tracking of the work effort and construction schedule since the project’s inception. The contractor has indicated that their work on the Underpass Project [was to] be completed on July 31, 2015. There will be additional work performed on the west platforms. This work is under way and is being performed by Union Pacific Railroad personnel. That work is anticipated to continue through the summer. For more information and updates, visit www.VillageofLombard.org/Metra Project, and sign up for e-mail alerts at www.Village ofLombard.org/NotifyMe.”—blm

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Regarding the caller who called in about being upset for being penalized $21.50 per month for refusing a smart meter, this caller needs to know that the Illinois General Assembly and the Illinois State Commerce Commission, the ISCC, along with Citizens Utility Board, or CUB, all supported the installation of smart meters in Illinois. I called ComEd and they told me you could only opt out in Illinois for three years. But, just for your information, in California, the opt-out option is permanent. So again, we say thank you to the ISCC for saddling Illinois citizens with this cumbersome meter, which has raised most people’s bills. Make no mistake; without the cooperation the smart meter’s initiative could never have succeeded in Illinois if the government and the CUB and ISCC didn’t go along with it.

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Hi, this is Lombard calling. It’s Tuesday, a little after 8 p.m. and we have no electricity. Here we go again. I cannot believe it. When it’s hot out, we lose electricity. Edison still has to do work. They still don’t have it right.

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I’m just speaking out to the people of Villa Park, why our town seems to look so shabby these days next to Lombard, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace. Our town just looks worse and worse; the taxes get higher and higher; the fees get higher and higher; our services get less and less; and the police do less and less. Anybody have an answer? Thank you.

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Our do-nothing U.S. Congress is going on a five-week vacation; nothing done. Don’t forget, Congress has both Democrats and Republicans who do not work for us. They pick up a paycheck, our hard-earned taxes. It is time we, the voters, wake up. If they don’t work for us, vote them out. Wake up, America.

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This question either to the editors of the paper or the very, very intelligent SPEAK OUT readers. The question is this: Why is it every time our president decides to fly that plane to some distant place it costs us many millions of dollars? And then when he goes to visit those people, he somehow wants to give away more and more billions of dollars which we do not have and we are deeply in debt. This extravagant spending must cease. We can’t afford presidents like that in the office anymore. And Hillary Clinton is just as bad. She gave away many billions of dollars of our money that we can’t afford, either. So, make a wise choice when you put a president in office this time.

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There are vomit stains on both sides of the new train platform in Lombard. Whose responsibility is that to clean up? Is it the Village of Lombard, is it Metra, is it the Union Pacific Railroad? in any event, those stains have been there for awhile. They are not getting washed away by all the rain we’re having and is a very poor way for people to be introduced to the Village of Lombard when they get on or off the train there. Somebody should clean it up and I hope it happens soon. Thank you.

Your comment was sent to the Village of Lombard, which answered:

“The Village of Lombard received a concern on July 16 regarding vomit on the platform. A village crew was dispatched immediately to address the concern and material was removed. Within two days, the village was notified that additional material was found on the platform. Village crews responded immediately to the complaint and the material was cleaned up. Given the composition of bodily fluids, there may be staining of the surface. The discoloration should dissipate over time.”—blm

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Hi. I’m just wondering why the public parking area that used to be the DuPage Theatre is only using half of their area for parking and has that large grass area that has to be maintained. Every time I go by, the lot is full, so it would seem if they added parking in that grass area, it would be a profitable situation for the village and it would be a benefit for the commuters and the merchants downtown. Can somebody explain to me why they’re only using part of the property? With a private developer I’m sure they would be using it entirely. Thank you.

The Village of Lombard provided the following answer to your question:

“The property in question is currently owned by the Village of Lombard and we are in the process of exploring possible development options for the location. At a special meeting of the village board in March 2015, a leading consultant offered an initial review of possible uses of the land based on market conditions, should the village board ultimately decide to sell the property for private development. This review effort will continue over the next few months. The village did consider paving the entire property; however, knowing that the site would be considered for redevelopment, the board was cautious not to overbuild the parking because it would create significant problems in the future when the spaces were removed.
With respect to additional parking options, the village board did approve zoning and a construction bid to develop an additional parking lot immediately west of the Hammerschmidt commuter parking lot. This lot expansion will provide commuter parking as well as evening and weekend parking for shoppers, and will be located in closer proximity to the heart of downtown Lombard.”—blm

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This is for all you marijuana lovers and all you potheads who think that making pot legal is going to solve all the problems of the drug world. It’s not going to solve the problem, believe me. Making it legal is not going to keep the drug dealers off the street. It goes back to prohibition in the 1930s when it was made. Do you really think the people stopped drinking? Nope, drinking went way up. I happen to know this for a fact. My parents remember those days very well. As far as marijuana goes, you make it legal, the drug problem is not going to stop. It’s not going to keep every drug dealer off the streets. Look at some of the states that have made it legal for recreational use. The use has gone way up. People say they want pot more than alcohol and that they don’t need alcohol, do we really need pot then? I’m not trying to compare pot with liquor; the liquor happens to be legal if you’re the right age. Wake up, America. Why do you think they call it dope?

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Hello, my name is Sadie and I’m four-legged. I’m from Villa Park. I just wanted to say thank you so much Eclipse Dog Grooming for taking care of me during the day, feeding me, loving me, letting me out, giving me baths. Especially in this economy, it’s just a joy to come and hang out with you guys and play with all my other puppy friends. Thanks again. Listen up, four-legged buddies; come on over to Eclipse. We have a good time, it’s nice and cool over there and they love us. Love, Sadie. Yeah, Debbie.

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Hi. Villa Park calling. Can anyone explain what’s going on in the old Bally Fitness place on Roosevelt Road there? What’s the new store, they’re doing some construction, or what’s going in the old Bally Fitness in Villa Park?

According to the Village of Villa Park, Bob’s Discount Furniture is redeveloping the property and plans to open for business in February.—JAC

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To the person commenting on the county fair rodeo, I’ve never been to one. If it’s bucking broncos or things of that nature, then of course that’s cruel, but if it is a riding activity—if the Western riders have their own form of dressage—I don’t see anything wrong with that. But what also strikes me is that people also pay to see humans get bashed up and potentially hurt in the demolition derbies. I don’t see anyone speaking out against watching that kind of so-called sport. That I have witnessed and it ain’t pretty.

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Rauner’s upset because before the legislators left Springfield, or whenever they declared a raise, he makes it sound like it’s only the Democrats who took part in this raise. What I would like to know if you can find out, did all the Republicans refuse the raise?

While one can’t assume who refused the raise, published reports show that the House voted 101-1 against the 2-percent raise; the lone vote against the measure was Rep. Will Davis (D-Chicago). No members voted “present” and 16 members did not vote. As of press time, the Senate was scheduled to address the measure Tuesday, Aug. 4. According to state Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) on his Web site, the Republicans had tried to bring a similar measure, HB 4225, to the table earlier. He went on to say that it was Speaker Mike Madigan’s modified HB 576 that was approved.—JAC

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In regard to the SPEAK OUT caller who wanted to know why there’s so much unemployment money handed out when foreigners and even illegal immigrants seem to find work and live well off their jobs; consider who actually works the system and obtains that free money. It’s those who choose not to work for a living while claiming they can’t find a job. Tighten the purse strings on this free money and then maybe, they too, they will decide to look for work, realistically. Thank you.

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Hi, this is Lombard calling. It’s 20 minutes to 7 in the morning and one of the lawn mowing services that is used throughout our village is preparing to mow the neighbor’s lawn with their large mowers and following up with their leaf blowers. I thought we had rules in Lombard about how early we could start making noise. This seems pretty early to be waking up the neighborhood.

Your comment was forwarded to the Village of Lombard, which provided the following answer:

“The Village Code does state that yard work should not begin before 7 a.m. On hot summer days, some individuals may opt for an early start on yard work, so as not to be working in dangerously hot temperatures later in the day. If their noise is an inconvenience, violators can be reported to police department by calling 9-1-1.—blm