Hello, Lombard. I’ve been following streets and parking lots for over 25 years and as I’m driving back and forth past the new Hammerschmidt parking lot, I see you’re putting paver bricks in. I think that is the most ridiculous way to spend our money and I don’t think you have enough maintenance to keep up with it. Also, it’s just problem after problem. When you try to plow something that’s been attacked by the cold and expansion and all that, those bricks are going to be popping up, the plows are going to be knocking them all over, and then if you take a look at whatever’s east of Garfield, you’ll see that we can’t even maintain the growth that comes between all of that. That is unsightly, so that is my feedback on the paver bricks that are going into the parking lot. Thank you.

Your comments were forwarded to the Village of Lombard, which responded: “To avoid damaging the permeable brick pavers, the village will use plows outfitted with rubber blades. Additionally, the village will minimize rock salt and will primarily utilize liquid anti-icing.  Again, the bricks were selected as the most effective option for handling stormwater. As for the cost of the parking lot, the lot is being completely funded by the Commuter Parking Fund.

The village contracts out for the weed control for sidewalks in the downtown area. If there are concerns relative to the performance of the contractor, please contact the Department of Public Works at 630-620-5740.”—blm

* * *

I am a 78-year-old Villa Parker and to my surprise what appeared—four beautiful elves named Caitlin, Calli, Maddy and Gabby who had just done a beautiful job decorating four Christmas trees on the Prairie Path. God bless and keep them safe—my beautiful elves.

* * *

Illinois consistently ranks among the lowest spending states per capita. Illinois consistently ranks among the lowest spending states as a percentage of the state’s gross domestic product. Readers are already aware of how small our personal income tax is—even before the temporary hike expired almost a year ago—in comparison to the other states in this region. Yet political action committees are doing their best to convince us that the state needs to make dramatic cuts in the budget to remain competitive. To balance the budget, why don’t we impose a tax on  any person or entity that contributes more than a million dollars per year to a political action committee. There certainly are no shortage of them in Illinois.

* * *

Hi there. This is Lombard calling. I’m calling to request police presence at the intersection of Main and Parkside during the evening rush hour. Every single night I see cars on Parkside illegally rush around those who are waiting for commuters to cross the street. They’re endangering the lives of people who are walking legally within in the crosswalk and they blow their horn when people won’t move. Last night a man yelled out his car window for people in the crosswalk to get out of his way. I really think people would drive more safely if an officer were there to keep them in line. Plus, think of all the revenue from tickets. Thank you.

* * *

Lombard calling. What is that post in the middle of the intersection of Main Street and the Prairie Path?

Your inquiry was forwarded to the Village of Lombard, which gave the following response: “The post mentioned is part of an exciting new flashing beacon system called a Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) system that will help to increase the visibility of crossing pedestrians and cyclists at the Prairie Path, making them more noticeable to motorists. To help keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe, the village Public Safety and Transportation Committee recommended the RRFB. Once activated by push buttons, RRFB installations display high intensity alternating flashing patterns to alert motorists of crossing pedestrians. The system is anticipated to be installed by the end of the year. To find out more, please visit villageof lombard.org/bikelombard.”—blm

* * *

Villa Park calling. Plain White T’s of “Hey There Delilah” fame and originated in Lombard/Villa Park have a new video out. Tom Higgenson’s son, Lennon, plays his daddy and other children play the part of Dave, Mike, Demar and Tim. You must watch it. Google www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJEFCYumnOc The real PWT’s are also in the video. Thank you.

* * *

The seemingly Johnny-come-lately protesters ought to put their efforts into the cause rather than the effects of what happened in the unfortunate shooting of the 17-year-old in Chicago. These incidents will continue to happen until the roots of these problems are solved. The police do not have time to investigate where a person is coming from or their unfortunate past when dealing with weapon-bearing individuals and life-threatening circumstances. Years ago, people would respect the law and believe them when they said, “Stop or I’ll shoot.” Thank you.

* * *

Lombard calling. So what do you do when your neighbor at the end of the block, who owns a landscaping service, loads his own leaves out into the street?

Your question was forwarded to the Village of Lombard, which gave the following response: “Village code states that it is unlawful to deposit on any public alley, roadway, street, driveway, or sidewalk any material which:

1)May be harmful to the pavement;

2)Consists of any waste material, such a leaves or grass clippings, whether or not it is produced on the abutting premises, or

3)Consists of articles which might cause injury to persons or property.

 Please feel free to contact the Village of Lombard directly concerning possible code violations by calling our Code Enforcement line at 630-620-5757.“—blm

* * *

Our country is going broke. Our state is going broke. Our cities are going broke. Our county is going broke and you know why? Every holiday all these city, county and state employees get off. Guess what? Big business and fast food restaurants are open. They need the money. The people are working, but not our government offices. They get the day after Thanksgiving off with pay. No wonder our taxes are so high. Getting a day off for a holiday is OK, but getting extra time off at my tax expense, I think it should be stopped. Stop giving the money away. No wonder everybody is working for the government these days because it seems they get more benefits than private business can give them.

* * *

Hi, Lombard. I just went to a restaurant called Firewater Barbecue over on 440 E. Roosevelt in Lombard and the food was great; not super expensive which is good in this economy. Just thought I’d give it a little plug because it’s been there a year-and-a-half and I just have never seen it and never gone in there and thought people might want to hear something good for a change. You might want to eat something other than turkey now. Thanks. Bye.

* * *

One thing I’ve noticed about people driving in Lombard—can’t prove they are Lombard residents, though—people pulling out of shopping areas, side streets and other exits inch forward until they’re almost in the street, causing me to have to swerve to avoid hitting them. What is it with people? It’s not a line-of-sight issue, either. People just seem to be in such a hurry all the time, especially those who are pulling out onto Main Street. Please stay where you’re supposed to until you can safely pull out.

* * *

To the person who felt it was their right to damage a campaign sticker on the rear window of my car: As you obviously have no regard for freedom of speech and the process of election, I shudder to think which candidate represents your perspective on how this country should be led. Besides, did your mother never tell you to keep your hands to yourself? FYI—We have video surveillance cameras; perhaps it would be wise to think the next time you decide it’s a good idea to damage private property. A Lombard resident.

* * *

Lombard calling. Youre paving the new parking area where the Hammerschmidt silos were with brick pavers after the fiasco with the brick sidewalks? Half of them are caving in, they’ve got weeds growing through them. They’re probably less than 5 years old. People are tripping on mine all the time. What do you think is going to happen when we drive cars on them when we can’t even walk on them? Makes no sense to me.

Your comments were submitted to the Village of Lombard, which responded: “The Hammerschmidt Parking Lot Expansion project was designed to utilize permeable brick pavers for the driving and parking surfaces due to a lack of available stormwater storage, and in an effort to comply with the village’s stormwater regulations. The permeable brick pavers are designed to allow stormwater to infiltrate the surface between them and into the subbase. The use of permeable brick pavers provides stormwater storage without the need for a detention basin, which was not available due to site constraints. Other available options included underground water storage, but due to cost, the permeable brick pavers were selected as the most effective option. These bricks being used in this project are specifically designed for roadway surface and have been successfully used for many years at facilities like the Morton Arboretum, Downers Grove North High School and Fifth Third Bank Ballpark (Kane County Cougars).  The village recently installed a permeable paver parking lot at the public works facility and has had favorable results. This solution was determined to be the most cost effective solution to create a parking lot where stormwater management is limited. 

In regard to concerns on the sidewalks, the village has an adopted standard to address deficiencies. If a trip hazard (an elevation difference of more than 1-1/4 inch) is present in the public sidewalk, the Lombard Public Works Department will first ramp the trip hazard with asphalt to mitigate the immediate hazard. Once this is done, the location is added to a list for replacement. Trip hazards are replaced within one year of report. The department completed resetting bricks along McGuire Drive to address elevation differences. If you believe that there are hazardous conditions that exist, please contact the Lombard Department of Public Works at 630-620-5740 or complete an online service request through the village’s Web site.”—blm