This is Villa Park calling. Voters send politicians into office to express opinions. How embarrassing is it when most politicians can’t even express their opinion? For example, Sen. Tom Cullerton recently voted present on the budget in the Senate. He apparently could not even form an opinion.

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This note is to the people who do not want a new library, don’t use the library or don’t want their taxes to go up. The value of your home depends on the services a town offers, such as the police department, schools, transportation, libraries, crime rate, shopping accessibility. Improving any of these areas will maintain or increase the value of your home when you sell it. Lombard standards need to keep pace with the surrounding suburbs or our reputation will suffer and we won’t attract the type of family you want to live next door to you. Computers are required for more and more everyday tasks. Seniors can have access to computers at no charge with lessons on how to use them. We need a new library. A temporary bandage fix won’t fix it. 

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I have to agree with the person who doesn’t like the police blotters the way you do them now and the other part is that I’m one who called the week you didn’t do the Sudoku. Now you put the Sudoku back in and put the answers right next to it, which doesn’t make any sense. So, whoever’s editing needs to really look this paper over and set it up because it’s not pleasurable anymore. Thank you.

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This is regarding the person who called to complain about the gun shop on Main Street in Lombard. Well, all you’ve got to do is one, learn to live with it, or two, you, yourself can move out of Lombard because we don’t need you or want you. Goodbye.

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The reply given by the Helen Plum Library relative to the issue of staff size and compensation only underscores the problem of a staff that is too large and too over-compensated. The library said their 80 staffers “process 40,000 items a month.” That means, on average, each employee handles 16 items per day. In normal businesses, that would be the rate per hour. The library went further to admit staff handles 8,000 reference “questions” each month; that on average is answering three questions per day—also a ridiculously low amount of effort for a well-paid staff. Asking for more money when 75 percent of the budget is allocated to salaries and benefits for a staff that is clearly too big and overcompensated is just wrong. The library needs to reevaluate its spending and get efficient, according to standard business principles, rather than participating in more government-style waste, funded by middle income tax payers. I strongly encourage voters to reject the referendum to fund the library building program with additional an additional tax levy.

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Library money—is it worth it? Both Villa Park and Lombard want to build/rebuild their libraries.  This is not the first time someone has said both suburbs could work together and build a great library, but politics and greed get in the way. Both libraries need work—agreed; but total rebuilds, with more room for computers, already not needed as much as in the past as nearly everyone has one; a space for vending and coffee bar—which would actually cost the library more payroll and waste through perishables; meeting rooms for youth who now communicate through Facebook, twitter, etc. And let’s not forget the school libraries—sure they’re closed in summer, but the kids are not studying in the summer. Taxes will go up substantially for everyone, and not just for one year —forever. Until both library boards get the point that all we want is to fix up what we have, please vote no on library monies this November.

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In regard to the driver’s license facility on Westmore, the reason it’s taking so long to get the air conditioning fixed is the fact that Illinois has not paid the rent, therefore the landlord is in no hurry to fix the air conditioning.

According to Dave Druker, a spokesperson for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, you are incorrect. He commented that he wants to dispel myths about the Lombard driver services facility’s partial closure, saying that the issue is not with the landlord getting paid. “This is not a problem with them,” he said, adding, “They’ve been extremely patient about not getting paid.” Druker also emphasized, “I’ve been assured there’s no problem there.” Rather, he stated, “We’ve had a devil of a time” with regard to getting the “right equipment” to make the repairs. “They’ve just had one issue after another,” Druker described of the landlord’s attempts to make repairs to the air conditioning. He said that while the driver side of the facility is temporarily closed, the registration side is open, to purchase vehicle stickers. “Our intent is to be in Lombard and open up in the very near future,” Druker said.—JAC

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The police aren’t shooting people because they need gun practice; the reason police are shooting people is because a crime has been committed. That is the only reason why a person is being shot. The trouble with people today, they think they’re being picked on because of color. No, it’s because a crime has been committed. And if you’re that person committing the crime, so be it. Pay attention to what’s going on and don’t listen to the people who are protesting. So long.

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A big thank you to the Villa Park crew of the 911 group. They are the greatest and they make a tough day much easier. Thank you, guys.

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Hi. I want to commend those who were protesting against the gun store on Main Street near the Prairie Path a week or so ago. It’s interesting that the gun store has been there over a year and yet this is the first protest I have seen. When the medical marijuana dispensary was going to open in Lombard, there was a lot of objection. It’s interesting what some people see as more dangerous to the community. Thank you, bye bye.

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This is Lombard calling. In the July 6 Lombardian officials from Plum Library stated “The library will be responsible for repayment of the new build ing bond debt for 20 years.” The officials continued that at that time the future board will make the determination to keep or lower the rate. In other words, taxpayers, you’re on the hook for at least 20 years at a minimum or possible in perpetuity, depending on the future board’s decision. This makes the $131 tax increase on a $200,000 home $131 per year times at least 20 years or more for a total of at least $2,620. Vote no for the referendum. Thank you.

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Hi, this is Lombard calling regarding the library referendum coming up this November during the presidential ballot. I am kind of amazed that so many negative comments have printed in SPEAK OUT. I moved here over three years ago and one of the first things I did was figure out how close I was to the library for my young children and also how good of a library it was. I walked into the library before I even closed on my house in order to get a library card for myself and my 2-year-old at the time. The library is small. We need more resources. Right now it’s one book in, one book out. That’s not acceptable to me and a lot of families who have come to Lombard from the city or from other areas. We need more space, more opportunities and more belief in the village that the library is a keystone of the community. That’s why I am voting yes in November.

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To the trail users. Some reasons you should be the ones the yield to traffic. One: You’re the person who is in the best possible position to be responsible for your own safety. Don’t delegate it. Two: If a bicyclist thinks that they can shoot out of a tunnel of trees, hit the street a quarter second later and traffic is supposed to respond, you’re oblivious. Three: It’s not practical that traffic should have to slow down 24/7/365 to watch out for you when, most of the time nobody would be there. It’s wasteful in terms of time, mechanical wear and tear and pollutants.  Four: Didn’t your mommy tell you to look both ways before crossing the street?

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Lombard calling. I have a physical handicap and recently fell on Main Street. My leg was turned under and I was struggling. I was lying there for minutes with many dozens of cars streaming by on a Saturday afternoon. I finally managed to get up and made it to a nearby bench to compose myself. My spirit was hurt more than my body. I was never more disheartened with my fellow man. Is it a common sight in Lombard to see a woman lying on the sidewalk that it was no big deal? Just then a car pulled into the parking lot and a 20-something got out. He had come around to check on me and see if I was OK. He was the only one. The young generation sometimes gets a bad rap but that man was more than a millennial. He was an angel. I’m still crushed over the callousness of those who couldn’t be bothered.

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This is Lombard calling. I would like to know why people spend their money for fireworks. Fireworks are illegal, they are showing a bad example for their children or friends by breaking the law, they are too noisy for neighbors—if they live out in the middle of a farm, fine—they are disturbing pets, the pieces of them go all over everybody’s yards. You’d think they could use the money they spend on fireworks for more charitable things. Also, it is a risk you are taking not to harm yourself and others; and remember, you are breaking the law. Thank you.

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Driving to work every day through Villa Park, and what do I see every day in Villa Park? Nobody stops at stop signs so I’m just curious what the police are doing about it and I have good suggestion. I think we should keep the DMV closed over in Lombard there because they’re teaching so well, especially the young people, not to stop at stop signs. Thank you very much.

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Lombard, we do not need a new library. Remember years ago you had to be very quiet? Not now. These young mothers let their children run around and yell and never are told to keep quiet. Let’s get the signs out again, “Quiet, please.” Bye.

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I live on the north side of Lombard. I went to the library Web site to see how much my taxes are going up for a new library. The answer is more than $270 dollars. I am voting no.   Current and past boards apparently did not manage or budget for capital improvements and now want to tear it down and rebuild. Shame on them; fix what you have without raising my taxes.

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Regarding the July 13 ad for Lexington Square and how “We will all be amazed with how Rio managed to capture the 2016 Olympics.” We already are. I hope it works out better than it sounds like it might.

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I just want to say about what happened in France, thank you, Obama, thank you, Hillary Clinton, for apparently allowing America to be weak and allowing these people to come into our country and destroy us. It’s only a matter of time, very short time, that these things start happening on a regular basis. You can see it’s coming here.