Here’s an appeal for some reasonable people to become SPEAK OUT contributors in 2015. Nothing against the current batch of contributors, but I’ve just about had my fill of comments about global warming, Obama being the worst president ever, Republicans not caring about poor people, etc. Remember, SPEAK OUT comments don’t always have to be negative. It’s all right to express a compliment once in awhile.

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I want to comment the Lombardian on last week’s article in which you reported on an armed robbery in downtown Lombard. Included in the article was a description of the two suspects police were seeking. You plainly identified them as black males in their 20s, along with a description of their dress. The key word here is black males. Too often nowadays, in trying to be politically correct, leaves out the ethnicity or race of the alleged suspects. How is one supposed to help identify anyone with that? If the suspect is white, then say white. If the suspect is Hispanic or Asian, then say it. If the suspect is black, then say black. Political correctness can get in the way of the truth. Let the chips fall where they may. Maybe it’s time we are made aware of who the culprits really are. If the truth hurts, so be it. At least we have the real story. Thank you.

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Calling from Villa Park. I’d like to appeal to people to not let their dogs out just because the weather’s colder, without leashes. I’ve noticed twice now vicious dogs attacking people, actually biting them, where in the warmer months I think people would be less likely to do this. For some reason maybe they think because it’s cold out the dog will just go out and come back in; it doesn’t need a leash. But, this is dangerous.

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My family was visiting from Baltimore at Christmastime and we were amazed how beautifully Lilacia Park was decorated with all the lights and everything, but I didn’t see any pictures in the Lombardian. OK, thank you.

Glad you enjoyed the spectacular light display at Lilicia Park during your family’s visit to Lombard. Rastus and some of the beautiful light displays made the front page of last year’s (2013) Christmas edition, but Santa garnered the honor this year. However, we didn’t forget the beautiful light display in Lilacia Park as there were photos in the Dec. 10, 2014 issue of Jinglebell Jubilee and the tree-lighting in Lilacia Park, which took place on Dec. 6.–blm

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Hi, just calling to say that recently I’ve been to Casa Real, the brand new Mexican restaurant that’s up on Roosevelt Road near Ultra Foods in Lombard. I just wanted to say it is absolutely fabulous. They have the old classics there of your burrito, taco, enchilada, chimichanga, but they also have new twists on things I’ve never seen and our meals, every single one that we had, was absolutely fabulous. I tried everybody’s entree besides my own, and I just want to tell you it is a really nice addition to Lombard. The staff is nice and friendly, the inside of the place is just very lovely and the decor is wonderful; and the food is absolutely the best. I can’t say enough about it but I just wanted to let Lombard know that we have a great Mexican restaurant right here in Lombard. Thanks. Bye.

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Hi. I am calling about a local business. We have walked by this establishment a few times this December and a puppy has been outside at 4 or 5 a.m. It’s cold out. Bring your puppy in. If you’re cold, it’s cold. Thank you. Goodbye.

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Hi, this is Lombard calling. I just want to wish everybody a Happy New Year. Thanks.

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The global warming alarmists who comment in SPEAK OUT simply don’t know what they’re talking about. They can copy and paste all the information they want to from leftist Web sites regarding temperatures and sea levels, but do they know if it’s going to snow next week? They don’t, of course. So how can they predict the future? They can’t. I laughed when the commenter in the Dec. 31 issue stated that four of 10 people don’t believe in climate change. News flash—I’d say 10 of 10 people believe in climate change. The climate is always changing.

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Lombard here. A reminder to Lombard District 1 residents to call their district trustee if you find the sounds of gunfire coming from the Glen Oaks Country Club troubling. Skeet shooting has a dishonorable history. Patriotic American pastime some say? Far from it. The passenger pigeon was once the most abundant bird in our country. Sportsman preyed upon the passenger pigeon and, in the name of sport, slaughtered this species to the edge of extinction. When there were no passenger pigeons left for targets, sportsman created their own “clay pigeons,” creating the sport of skeet shooting. Gun ranges are no longer allowed to be built near residential areas for good reason. The Glen Oaks Range needs to move.

According to the Audubon Society, the species became extinct around Sept. 1, 1914, after Martha, a passenger pigeon in captivity, died at the estimated age of 29—the last of the species. She also never laid a fertile egg. The society mentioned two initiatives related to the extinct bird: Project Passenger Pigeon, which has a two-pronged approach to not only educate about the bird itself but about human-caused extinctions; and Revive & Restore, which is attempting to use genetics to “de-extinct” the bird. The kinds of genome projects are too detailed for this space, but can be read at longnow.org.–JAC

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Derrick Rose and Barack Obama both have a lot in common. They both take a lot of vacations, miss a lot of work and get negative results.

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The minimum wage was set up to protect employees from unscrupulous employers. Minimum wage is a helping hand. People must strive to do better not be given handouts for the rest of their life. I have known a man who started in the mail room and became president of a corporation. Minimum wage is a helping hand, not a permanent fix. Apply for jobs with a higher pay scale. Don’t let government provide the pay and stifle ambition and creativity. Government, stay out.

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Hello, this is Lombard calling. On Sunday, Jan. 4, around 12:30 p.m., a nice lady gave me extra stickers from the Jewel promotions for all the cookware. Ma’am, thank you so much for giving me those free stamps and I will pay it forward as soon as I possibly can, to do it for somebody else. Again, thank you.

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I want to thank the lady who returned my credit card that I lost at the Jewel-Osco grocery store about a week ago. Thank you and Happy New Year. May you have a great year. Thank you again.