This is the second mailing I got from the library, not from a committee; it says Helen Plum Library. Why are we using taxpayer money to influence the outcome of an election? I didn't know I was paying for that. That’s it.

Your comments were forwarded to spokesperson Sue Wilsey, who responded: “The Helen Plum Library has strived to be as informative and transparent as possible during our year-long community engagement effort to inform the Lombard community about what the ‘Helen M. Plum Memorial Library District Proposition to Increase the Limiting Rate’ means, and why this increase is being proposed. The library has made every attempt to clearly communicate the very serious library facility and service concerns and why the new facility approach has been proposed. Information about the Next Chapter Project has been available on the helenplum.org website, over social media, in the print press, and shared at more than a dozen staff outreach opportunities in the community. Administrative staff and consultants have spoken at more than 50 community meetings held in the library and at churches, schools and civic organizations. This effort was important to the board and staff of the library who think that it is a responsible step to directly inform Lombard residents about what the referendum will mean to the community. Despite these efforts, we still hear every day from someone in Lombard who knows very little, if anything, about the proposition. We hope that those receiving the postcard will better understand the proposition on the ballot in this upcoming election.” Wilsey also noted that the costs of the postcards come from the printing and postage budget.—JAC

* * *

A flier regarding the upcoming vote for the new Lombard library was recently distributed on our front doors. To me it clearly shows why to vote no. In their comparison of what the two outcomes would mean, the No. 1 effect of a no vote outcome would be “staff and board will immediately begin to review the library’s operating budget to make very difficult decisions on which services, collections, programs, hours and staff can be cut or reduced…” This type of review should be done every year regardless of a new building program and seeking a tax increase. Of course they should review which items and staff that “can be reduced or cut” and still provide the services tax payers fund. The other effects of a no vote outcome—limited computer access for students, controlling noise, “inconvenient” access to entrance and stabilized energy costs are also good reasons I believe a no vote is the best choice for Lombard. The schools provide computer access, library users should be quieter, we all live with inconveniences and there are other ways to save energy instead of a full rebuild. The library initiative seemingly is a flagrant waste of tax dollars and an example of bureaucratic insensitivity to residents’ needs and hard-earned incomes.

* * *

Hey, Lombard. A shout out to the Cubs fan on St. Charles Road, just east of Route 53. His house is all decked out in blue lights and has window displays with all Cubs stuff. Go, Cubbies.

* * *

OK. Cubs are in the World Series. Now what we’ve got to do—we’ve had what I believe is the worst president in history— is get a good person in Washington. We don’t need the apparently corrupt Clinton in office. They both gave the bomb to Iran and a debt our children and grandchildren will never be able to repay. Good night.

* * *

In the third paragraph of the article about Dan Bono’s bicycle trip out West (the Lombardian, Oct. 20), it says that he was hoping to raise some money and awareness of his union, the Industrial Workers Union of the World. The full-page article goes on to describe his trip, but never says why he was raising the money or how much money he raised, how he raised the money, how he raised awareness and what the union was going to use the money for. Maybe you could write a short little bit about the details on that. Bye.

While the focus of the story was about how Dan stepped out of his comfort zone and also to highlight some of his experiences, the Lombardian reached out to him with regard to your inquiry. He kindly responded: “I was raising money because I believe in the work that the IWW is doing by organizing workers, particularly in industries that do not have a strong union presence (retail, food service, etc). Unfortunately, as of yet no one has donated. I hope that I raised awareness by people visiting the blog (redandblackhorizons.wordpress.com) and reading the “Donate” section where it has information about the IWW. Any money that I collect will go to the General Headquarters were it will be used to train organizers, pay operating expenses and be used in organizing campaigns and strikes.—JAC

* * *

There are times when important information not revealed about a candidate for public office means more questions than answers. This situation exists for the voters within the boundaries of DuPage County Board District 2, where that position will be decided in the Nov. 8 election. Voters need to know that candidate Richard Blass, as deputy chief of the Bellwood Police Department, in September 2010 received a 30-day suspension for conduct deemed to be detrimental to the Bellwood Police Department, with no further information made public by authorities. Why wasn't the conduct in question revealed and Blass retired afterward? What is known in the law as it pertains to sworn law enforcement officers is that conviction leads to forfeiture of employment; also under separate law, any pension benefits will be denied. Voters need to utilize all information available to them. An Internet search could shed some light on things. I think voters need to know.

* * *

Hello, Lombard Public Works. Well, now I’m extra confused. You say that Madison Street is open. I drive by Madison and Finley every day and Madison Street west of Finley Road is closed. There are some huge signs up there, one I think they call a type 3 barricade. The other has a flashing sign, road closed, detour, things like that. It's all torn up. Maybe you should go over and take a look at this. Thank you.

Your comment was submitted to village officials, who provided the following response: “The Village of Lombard received a SPEAK OUT question regarding detours on Madison Street on Oct. 12. At the time the village received the inquiry, westbound Madison Street was open to local traffic. Since that time, Madison has been closed due to construction activity. For a timely update regarding Village construction, please visit www.villageoflombard.org/construction or contact the Department of Public Works at 630-620-5740.”—JAC

* * *

Lombard calling. Let's make Lombard great again. Vote yes on the Helen Plum Library referendum.

* * *

When I hear people criticize Hillary Clinton as a selfish spoiled kid who has never grown up, all I can think of is Donald Trump. He is a selfish, spoiled, morally bankrupt, immature bully. I'm voting for Hillary. As for the third-party candidates, why are they running? They can’t lead the country if they aren't prepared and informed. I'm voting for Hillary because she is dedicated, informed and determined to lift our country up. She's withstood all the attacks and is still standing up after all these years for all of us.

* * *

All residents must be aware that all taxing bodies listed on your property tax bill will be getting more in taxes based on equalized assessed valuation. That is 10 to 12 taxing bodies all raising your property tax bill. The library is not the only taxing body that will increase. When you are told your property tax bill will only go up for the library that is wrong. Vote no for the library. Enough is enough, not needed, no sunset clause, it is permanent.

* * *

Good morning. I want a Lexus. Do I need a Lexus? No. The same analogy can apply to the library “wants.” Illinois property taxes are increasing, Obama(care) insurance rates are increasing and we're faced with future tax increases with a new administration. We don't at this time need to load our residents with more, additional taxes to build what is seemingly a Taj Mahal library. Thank you.

* * *

Any Democrat who supports Madigan should not be elected/reelected. We just can't afford to continue to run our state with funds we will never have. Pensions and salaries —yes teachers’ salaries, too—are way out of control.

* * *

Yes, the library needs work—but not expansion. Just because we don't want to expand into the park doesn't mean we don't want an updated library. But remember, we may not need libraries in the future with everything on computers and phones. Some will say that not everyone has computers —true—maybe not now, but it is the future and technology is still evolving. Let's not spend monies that will unnecessarily increase our tax burden on something we may not need. Why didn't the library present this as two separate votes? Did you notice Villa Park has dropped the whole library update? They found out their residents will not vote for expansion.  Please vote no until a reasonable proposal is presented.

* * *

I have noticed with the change in ownership of the Lombardian and Villa Park Review, the political slant has gone even farther to the right. People who call the media liberal have not seen this publication. The editors give the Republican candidates space in the Opinion section. If there are any articles on the good work the Democratic representatives are doing, they are buried in the back of the paper. This paper has printed several letters in support of the Republican candidates for state representative and state senator, with the implication the Democratic candidates are under Madigan’s control. I will be surprised if this is printed in SPEAK OUT.

Editors’ note: Legislators from both sides of the aisle have been invited to contribute a guest column for the Opinion page. The Lombardian reached out to Deb Conroy’s office staff earlier this year, inviting her to write a column similar to a column written by Peter Breen that appears twice a month; however, nothing was ever finalized. We again extend this invitation to Conroy.

We also don’t solicit letters from readers, so the letters you read in the Lombardian are what we have received. Also, in SPEAK OUT, you will see that published opinions are from both Republican and Democrat perspectives.

Additionally, we typically receive/publish a higher percentage of press releases from local Democrat leaders—state Sen. Tom Cullerton, state Rep. Deb Conroy and U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth in particular—and they are not intentionally relegated to the back of the paper. Cases in point: The Oct. 13 and 27 issues of the Villa Park Review, for instance, ran stories on Page 2 about groups that are endorsing Cullerton.

A few other examples: Both Conroy (two separate stories) and Cullerton are prominent on Page 5 of the June 8 issue, and in the June 29 issue, Page 4, Conroy responds to a veto by Gov. Rauner. Cullerton is featured in a guest editorial on Page 5 of the Aug. 11 issue.

Lastly, it has been a longstanding policy of this newspaper not to endorse any candidates for office, but we are committed to publishing letters to the editor, SPEAK OUT comments and press releases, without bias, from any political party.—JAC

* * *

In response to the opinion page this week which was saying if the library referendum fails, it's the fault of the planners: This person clearly has not taking the time to do his or her research. Nowhere in the new library plans does it mention building on park district land. The library board and their planners have worked very closely with the park district. The planners have hired landscape architects to evaluate both the land and air rights of Lilacia Park. There is nothing being built on park property. I understand everyone is entitled to their opinions. But please do some research and find actual facts before trying to falsely lead people to believe something that is entirely incorrect.

* * *

Hi, SPEAK OUT. Today is Thursday, Oct. 27, and I just got the newest edition of the Lombardian. I am sadly disappointed to see that the sports section has no coverage of our Lombard volleyball team. Glenbard East was conference champ and Willowbrook had a very good team also. Very, very disappointed in you, Lombardian.

Sports editor Chris Fox responded to your comment: “The Glenbard East girls volleyball team completed its Upstate Eight Valley Conference season with a victory over East Aurora on Oct. 11. The win gave the Rams a perfect 5-0 record in conference play. We had a story noting Glenbard East's conference championship on Page 15 of the Oct. 20 issue. That issue also included a volleyball photo. This week’s issue includes coverage of the team's two post-season matches.”—JAC

* * *

Hi. I once was a Democrat. I no longer am a Democrat. I got tired of the Democrats taking and not giving anything back. Goodbye.

* * *

Hi, I am totally 100 percent behind every Democrat who is running in the state of Illinois. I have already early voted; I have voted for Hillary Clinton, Tammy Duckworth, Tom Cullerton, Deb Conroy. There is no way I would vote for any Republican at this point in time because of the person who is representing their party. He is a dangerous man. The venom that he puts forth about the press, the Muslims, the blacks and the Hispanics of the United States of America, this is frightful. And what's more important, you listen at a rally and he calls the press low-lifes and the people in his audience cheer. This man does not belong in the office of the president. Goodbye.

* * *

In regard to voting for the library referendum, please call the library or go on the Web site to get the facts about the referendum and then make your decision. A good example is there is hysteria on what the library is going to do to our Lilacia Park. You think they're going to destroy a whole section of it and things like that. It's not, so please call the library or go on the Web site and find out exactly what is going on with the referendum, as an example, what is going to happen with Lilacia Park. Thank you, goodbye.