OK—who did it? We all like to have garage sales, nailing notices to trees on the parkway is wrong. Does the city have an ordinance about this? We live on Villa and our tree got nailed.

Your inquiry was forwarded to Village of Villa Park officials, who gave the following response: “Yes, nailing signs to trees is against Village Code, per Sec. 19.5 Sub. G, ‘signs shall not be located on the public right-of-way, or affixed to or upon public property or the right-of-way, including, but not limited to any sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, street lamp post, hydrant, tree, shrub or utility pole.’”—JAC

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Yes, this is Villa Park. Anybody get their tax bill? Anybody realize that your house assessed value went down by $10,000? Yet they all want a new library. Guess what, it isn’t happening this year. Maybe next year. Values keep going down; the village keeps wasting money. What a great place to live, Villa Park. That’s a joke.

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Yes, Villa Park calling. I was just wondering if Villa Park follows different handicap accessibility parking requirements than as provided in the state of Illinois requirements. I thought the state had a specific color that the handicapped stripes are supposed to be painted and also there are supposed to be hash marks in between. There’s definitely a grade requirement that they can’t exceed a certain grade. I know the ones at one particular restaurant definitely are too steep of a grade to really be acceptable. So, has anybody enforced those requirements? Does the village have a requirement that so many handicapped spaces be provided for different types of businesses? I was just wondering. It doesn’t look like anybody enforces it. I know of a church where the sign isn’t where it should be according to the state requirements.

Your concerns were forwarded to Village of Villa Park officials, who gave the following response: “The Village Public Works Department is responsible for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliancy within the public right-of-way (ROW). When construction activities take place, the department is required to install the new improvements in accordance with ADA and Public Right Of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG). For sidewalks, this requires that the running slope (main direction of travel) not exceed 1:12 slopes and the cross slope (direction perpendicular to main direction of travel) not exceed 1:50 slopes. All striping is done in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The village is not required to bring areas where no work is taking place into compliancy until work occurs in that area. The minimum number of handicap parking stalls is dictated based on the number of parking spaces in the entire parking lot (building use does not dictate). When a private development submits for a permit to do work on the parking lot a striping plan is required to be submitted to verify the number of handicap parking spaces. This is a general overview of how ADA compliancy occurs within the village, but those with specific questions can call public works at 630-834-8505 for more information.”—JAC

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In the Tribune in the Perspective Page, a woman writes an article about some of the bad things about Donald Trump. She doesn’t mention all the bad things the president of the United States, Bill Clinton, did and yet his wife still stood by him for the sole purpose of her trying to get the position of president. She put up with all kinds of bad things with that guy; never once spoke out against it. All for the sake of trying to get something for herself, which is nothing but greed. She’s so greedy she’ll put up with anything, sell her soul to anything just so she can have control of the country. Well, do not vote for her and forget this article. It should point out the bad on both sides, not just one side. Goodbye.

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Lombard, we are the Lilac Village, we have an outstanding parade every year, a beautiful new railroad station, lovely architecture and historic old town center, why don’t we have a food store? A grocery store? We don’t need more restaurants, like a Golden Corral. We need a place to buy food without going to other towns surrounding us. Have you thought of contacting Walt’s? Somebody, our trustees, someone who’s in charge ought to be working on this. I’m a 50-year resident of Lombard and it really disappoints me not to be able to get my groceries in my community.

The May 4 edition of the Lombardian outlined that Bradford Real Estate is looking at a project that would raze the former Kmart building at Finley and Roosevelt roads, with the plan to build a Mariano’s grocery store in its place. According to the Village of Lombard, if the plan is approved, construction could start later this year.—JAC

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This is the person who wrote about the priorities at the last meeting. There is a chart showing the top three priorities for the expansion and rehab. They are exactly as I listed them: First, a vending and book sale area, next a “teen space” and third a drive-up book return. The next two “priorities” were more parking and a “kids play area.” Please check it out at the next meeting. The $11 million figure was again repeated. Please attend the meeting to see for yourself how the library board plans to spend your tax dollars. Thanks.

Sandra Hill, director of the Villa Park Public Library, sent the following information: “The library building was built in 1969 and there are major system repairs to the building which should be addressed in the next five years. The library board is working with Williams Architects of Itasca, on a complete renovation of the existing building and a 9,300-square-foot expansion of the current facility. Funding for the renovation/expansion would only be possible by successful passage of a bond referendum.” Hill noted that residents have been invited to attend informational meetings to learn about the library’s needs—roof, boilers, air handlers, etc.— and offer their input as to what they would like the library to have. “Features that have received the most votes from participants are: a drive-up book return, a quiet reading room, more parking, to have space dedicated to teens, an early literacy play area, a tech help desk, a vending/book sale area, and more computers,” the director stated. She further commented: “The library board strongly believes resident input on the future of the community’s library is essential. Since the renovated/expanded building has not been designed at this point, the exact cost is yet to be determined. However, the order of magnitude is running close to $11 million with an estimated $1.5 million needed for site work and storm retention. Gathering input from the community at the informational meetings scheduled this summer will assist the board in this process. Meetings are scheduled for [tonight], May 11, from 7-9 p.m.; June 11 from 9-11 a.m.; July 12 from 3-5 p.m.; and Aug. 4 from 7-9 p.m.” The facility analysis, completed in March 2015, is available for review on the library’s Web site at www.vppl.info. If you have questions, contact Hill at 630-834-1164, ext. 111 or at shill@vppl.info.—JAC

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“You Can’t Take it With You,” the play at Glenbard East; oh, my goodness, such talent. It was fantastic. Laughing, unbelievable, just a tremendous play. I know those students had to have worked very, very hard. Great evening. Thanks, Glenbard East. Keep up the good work.

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Hi, this is Lombard calling concerning the library. Our county government is trying to consolidate resources, our state government is trying to consolidate resources because of the taxes. Lombard and Villa Park libraries should consolidate, be able to build a gorgeous new building with twice the tax rate and it would be less tax per person. They’re on the same street within 2 miles of each other. To build two new buildings would be redundant and people can’t afford it. Please think outside the box.

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Too bad the food truck at the First Church of Lombard has been discontinued. There are a lot of people in Villa Park and Lombard who depend on this help.

According to information provided by the Outreach House at First Church of Lombard, United Church of Christ, the Northern Illinois Food Bank food truck is on “hiatus” now through June. The Outreach House is exploring working more closely with the Lombard-Villa Park Food Pantry. Updates on any future food truck visits will be put on the church Web site, www.firstchurchoflombard.org, as they become available.–JAC

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Hello, Lombard police chief. I think your officer who was pushing the sweet little old lady in the wheelchair on Saturday before Mother’s Day on Main Street by the Jewel, that was a beautiful thing and he should be given the department’s humanitarian award. It brings a tear to my eye.