Lombard calling. SPEAK OUT, what is wrong with you? Stop publishing individuals’ names in the SPEAK OUT section without giving them a chance to respond. These are private citizens who have a right to their privacy. They are not running for office. There are two people now that have been personally attacked in SPEAK OUT. It's unfathomable. People who don’t live in Lombard who hear about the anonymous section of our newspaper think that it’s pretty much trash. Step in to the 2000s and teens because you are way behind the times as far as anonymity, and it's pretty despicable.

Editor’s note: While it is true both individuals to whom you refer are private citizens, both requested that their comments be made public; one in response to an inquiry about the Yes Helen Committee, and another through a letter to the editor. Over the past several years of SPEAK OUT, other individuals who have expressed their opinions through a letter to the editor —whether they are private citizens or public officials—have been the focus of criticism as well, so these are not isolated occurrences. The rules of SPEAK OUT allow individuals to express their opinions anonymously. This rule has been in place since the inception of SPEAK OUT.

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I lived in Lombard since 1970 and I have never seen a green lagoon. What happened?

Your comment was forwarded to Paul Friedrichs, executive director of the Lombard Park District, who responded: “The last few weeks the pond at the Lagoon experienced a high amount of duckweed and watermeal floating on the surface.  This is a common issue with shallow ponds, like the Lagoon, which gets nutrient rich runoff, such as lawn fertilizers. Usually Mother Nature takes care of the issue for us with cooler night time temperatures in the fall, however, this fall we hadn't experienced night time lows low enough to take care of it. The Park District contracted a vendor to apply an Illinois EPA approved, environmentally friendly product to the pond on Oct. 14. The chemical applied has no ill effects on any of the wildlife that could come into contact with it, including humans. As of today, the duckweed and watermeal is gone and we will pay close attention to it next spring. Thank you for your concern. Should you have any further questions regarding the Lagoon pond or any thing else Park District related, please feel free to call me at 630-953-6016, Paul Friedrichs, Executive Director, Lombard Park District.”—JAC

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Hi, this is Lombard calling. Main Street and Roosevelt Road, 11:41 a.m. on Wednesday morning. I find it very interesting that the workers who are repairing Main Street feel the right to yell at cars as they go by; screaming and yelling and swearing at Lombard residents, some of them being older, who probably did not realize they were not supposed to turn right at that intersection. However, these guys must think it's hilarious to yell at old people. The respect that they have decided not to show toward anybody is absolutely ridiculous. I find it amazing as I go through my day how rude and ignorant people feel they have a right to be to each other. Please, take time to be nice to each other and be kind to each other. God bless Lombard.

Your comment was forwarded to the Village of Lombard, with the following response: “The Village of Lombard has the highest level of respect for its residents and visitors. Unfortunately, cars have been routinely ignoring the no right turn sign in the construction zone at the corner of Main Street and Roosevelt Road. The signs are posted in accordance per IDOT standards and are clearly visible to drivers. The village’s priority is the safety of our residents and of our employees. When a car violates a posted traffic detour sign in a construction zone, lives of construction workers working at the site are put in jeopardy. Violating posted construction signs creates an extremely dangerous situation for construction workers. The village would like to remind everyone to be alert for construction signs and altered traffic patterns within construction zones. Please feel free to call public works at 630-620-5740 to speak further about this specific occurrence and please call 9-1-1 to report unsafe situations.”—JAC

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Lombard calling. Love God, your spouse and your country. Stand at attention and salute or hold your hand over your heart when needed, carefully vote and your vote will be counted. God bless us all.

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Lombard calling. When is all the construction going to be done in Lombard? The wait times in traffic are ridiculous. There is so much traffic, it is so congested, it takes so much time to go from one place to another because of construction; and there is no evidence that anything is being completed. This is so frustrating.

The Village of Lombard provides updated construction information on its Web site at www.villageoflombard.org/construction. Residents may also visit www.villageoflombard.org/notifyme to sign up for e-mail alerts pertaining to specific projects of interest. In addition, anyone wishing to find out about Lombard's construction projects based on a location may visit an interactive map at www.villageoflombard.org/constructionmap.—JAC

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I am in favor of keeping this column local, but enough is enough. Even if Trump has some good ideas, he continues to be prejudiced against anyone of color, women and religion that doesn't meet his standards. His “apology” for the recent tape doesn't say he never did these types of terrible things to women.  He's just said he “was sorry for what he said,” but really just sorry it got out. No matter what he says about Bill Clinton, that's Bill—not Hillary—and does not apply to this election.

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I have some vintage tools that were my grandfather’s and came across a small plane which had been broken. After trying several hardware stores, I went to Bear Welders. The young man who helped me was able to partially assemble the plane and explained that if he welded the plane, it would not be functional and I should get some heavy duty glue and glue it together and mount it on a board. That way it could be used as a paperweight or some other decoration. I believe his name was Doug and he spent about 20 to 30 minutes with me and did not charge for his time. If I ever need some metal fencing or other metal work I will be sure to remember Bear Welders for their kindness.

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According to our constitution by-laws, Hillary Clinton should not be allowed to run because of all the deplorable things she has done. This is stated in our constitution that anyone who has been accused of such criminal action not be allowed to run. Our constitution is not being upheld.

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OK, let's get real about this library thing. Look at your tax bill and see how much you paid to support the library last year. If you don't have your tax bill, go to the DuPage County supervisor of assessment site and click on property look-up portal. I paid $147.76 and I went there twice, so essentially they charged me $73.88 per visit. Apparently they think that's too cheap and they want to charge me more. If they can't make it on $73.88, it's time for the library to close. Why is no one considering closing the library as one of the options? Keep in mind, as a resident of DuPage County, you have the right to use the College of DuPage library, which is about 10 times the size of Helen Plum. You are already paying to maintain two libraries, so why pay even more to support a library whose time has passed?

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Hello, this is Lombard calling. I think it's time we start talking about stopping the apparent monopoly of Comcast as our only Internet supplier in the town of Lombard. It would be better for the bottom line if they had a little competition. For instance, Wide Open West, which serves Glen Ellyn at this time. Just my opinion. Have a good one, everybody.

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I'd like to know, is this America or is this Mexico? I look in the electoral paper, how we're voting, where we're voting, and much of it is in Spanish. That's why Hispanic-speaking people don't speak English. We have to learn to speak their language. We're part of their country. We're not American anymore. America is gone. Then they're going to vote for Hillary. She's going to destroy it altogether. You Democrats, come out and give me all your answers. Bye.

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Hello, SPEAK OUT. Today is Monday, Oct. 17, and I just received my paper in the mail. Coming Events on Page 13, there are 23 Coming Events listed; 10 of them have already passed. I'm trying to figure out why I'm not getting my paper at least Friday, the day after it's published, and why I am I getting it on Monday, four days after it's published? Thank you.

Editor’s note: Rather than contact SPEAK OUT—which has no subscription information—call the Lombardian office at 630-627-7010 to report a delivery issue.—JAC

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Hi, this is Villa Park calling. To the person who complained last week about getting a Heidi Holan sign placed in his or her yard by mistake, that was probably meant for my yard, which I had requested. When I checked to find out why it wasn't in place in my yard, they said it was mistakenly placed somewhere else. I'm sorry you're not supporting Heidi, because she is a very in-tune person and is hoping to represent everyone. Unlike her opponent, she doesn't have backing of Chicago's Mike Madigan and the rest of the Chicago Democratic Party. I don't know about you, but I don't want Chicago politicians running DuPage County.

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An important question came up at a local PTA meeting about the Helen Plum Library and the kids section that was recently redesigned. The library was actually there to answer that question. That money for the redesign came from an endowment and not taxpayer money, and virtually everything they used to create that new kids section is moveable because it was in their mind even at the time to ask for the upcoming referendum. Vote yes.

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I'm calling about the library referendum in Lombard. I'm strongly against it. We do not need to encroach upon the crown jewel of Lombard, which is Lilacia Park, with a larger building. We should reuse and preserve the historic building we have; we don't need to lose another building like the DuPage Theatre. Let's restore it, reuse it and protect the park. Thank you.

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I am a lawyer who has done a considerable amount of business over the course of many years with the DuPage County Recorder of Deeds Office. I have found the employees there to seemingly be lazy, arrogant and incompetent. I have found the recorder himself to apparently be completely unresponsive. Exactly the opposite of what a public servant should be. Cook County has always been the laughingstock but I would much rather deal with Cook County than DuPage County. My comment is not an endorsement of the recorder’s opponent in the upcoming election because I really do not know much about his opponent, but I just want to relate to people what I have experienced over my many years of dealing with the office.

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"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Now we all must vote because that is our duty as American citizens. If you are having a hard time deciding on who to vote for as president, then skip them and vote for the vice president that you believe will serve America best. Both candidates are about 70 years old and we know that one of them is having some health issues. Remember you are voting for the next commander and chief of these United States of America.

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Regarding all the Hillary signs on Lombard lawns. Her supporters don't need to fear for their safety or the well being of their homes and property. Those of us who support Trump are truly intimidated by the angry protesting, destructive behavior of Democrats. More than one person has told me not to put out a Trump sign for those very reasons. Thank you.