Ed. note: After a number of calls to SPEAK OUT asking how to help an apparently homeless individual who has been seen in Lombard, I contacted Carol Simler, executive director of DuPagePads. She recommends that if you observe an unsheltered homeless individual, call 630-682-3846, ext. 2275, or 866-682-3846, ext. 2275, to leave a message/phone number and a location where the person was sighted. The agency has street outreach teams made up of staff who can be dispatched, and “We will go out and try to locate the person,” Simler said, then make an attempt to engage the individual. The team is equipped to provide such supplies as water, food hygiene kits, socks, hats and gloves, as well as information on how to access local services.—JAC

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I’m just curious how much the Helen Plum Library spends on its  publication, The Gazette. It comes out several times a year, so what is the cost to put it together, publish it and send it to all the Lombard residents? It can’t be cheap to print it in four-color. Is that a budget line item?

Sue Wilsey, communications manager for the Helen Plum Library, offered the following information: “In the Helen Plum working budget for the 2016/2017 year, $24,107 is allocated for the printing and distribution of four annual issues of the Gazette sent to every residence in the Lombard Library District. Additional copies are also available in the library and around town. Annual postage is budgeted at $7,000.

Prior to the first publication of the Gazette in September 2015, residents could pick up a copy of a children's programming or adult programming brochure at the library, but in an effort to reach more community members with information about the library's wide range of programs and services, a stronger marketing initiative was necessary. Since the introduction of the Gazette, the library has seen a 15 percent increase in program attendance and a 50 percent increase in online learning and resource use.”—JAC

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Just wanted to say these bike lanes on Madison are ridiculous because the bikers do not obey the rules of the road. They don't stop at stop signs, they don't drive single file. So, maybe the police should start pulling them over and giving them tickets because they're to obey the rules of the road, too. Ridiculous.

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Lombard calling. Rauner is no more head of the Illinois Republican Party than Trump is the head of the national Republican Party. He's just a guy with deep pockets who's willing to fund the campaigns of those who seemingly vote as they're told to. They're each just bullies in their own way. Kind of makes you long for the days when we had real statesmen running the government, like Kirk Dillard and Jim Edgar. Thank you.

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In response to someone who says she didn't do anything wrong, about Hillary, check the office of the inspector general. It is said she did something very, very wrong. She wants to get in office promising the same things Obama did, and she wants to get in for her own good. We feel Trump wants to get in to actually help the country. Another point is, Mexico has a wall between Guatemala and their country. Why wouldn't they build a wall between Mexico and our country? That should really be addressed so ISIS doesn't come streaming in. Thank you.

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I'm calling to response to Charles Kliche in letters to the editor and anyone who is pro-Hillary. I want you to open your eyes and see what she's like. On Aug. 16, Rand Paul said her activities should land her in jail. If you look at the documentary, “Clinton Cash,” you'll know what she's doing with her money with the Clinton Foundation. It isn't right. Trump has a big mouth, yes, but he's misquoted as being a racist. Look at the DNC; there were lots of racist remarks there. Who do we want in power to be leading?  We don't want the GOP to dismiss Trump.

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To the person who called in about President Obama and Hillary Clinton, I do know what you listen to. The economy is far better off than when President Obama took office. Unemployment is lower than it's ever been. Sure, there are many other things that need to be done but you are absolutely right. He walked into a horrible mess and got it straightened out pretty good, and then you talk about Hillary not passing her bar exam on the first try. I would like to mention there are many people who don't pass the bar exam on the first try. She was a young person, but she has far exceeded any of her expectations and she is now running for president. She would be a far better person than Donald Trump, who absolutely knows nothing about anything and I wouldn't want him as my president, knowing the codes for the atomic bomb because he'd just nuke everybody and we'd all be dead.

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“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.” Thomas Jefferson.

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What is an anti-xenophile? I only speak English so I had to use my dictionary and I see a xenophobe hates foreigners and strangers. So what's an anti-xenophile? I couldn't find the word anti-xenophile.  Perhaps it's foreign. Maybe you should have looked up illegal.

According to Merriam-Webster, a xenophile describes a person who is attracted to foreign things or people. Perhaps the caller was suggesting that someone is against (anti-) those individuals.—JAC

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This is Lombard calling. I was wondering why downtown Lombard every Saturday night has to have a car show. Some people may want some quiet on a weekend from time to time and most suburbs and towns do not have a summer event every weekend for the entire summer. I was just wondering an explanation why residents in downtown Lombard have to be discomforted all summer on Saturday nights.

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I'm calling about a recent event at Madison Meadow park. All streets across from the park had no parking signs on one side of the street and we all had a tough time getting out of our driveways. Thank you.

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I grew up in America and everyone spoke English, even people from other countries. Now I'm told it's not the language of my country. Evidently millions came illegally and changed my country to theirs. They think I need to learn another language. They don't seem to learn English when they're here and I have no reason to learn another language. I prefer English. Vote for Trump; I'm going to. His wife speaks five languages; that should really impress you.

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I have a rather simple question which I hope you can answer. I was reading about the homeless and their plight and I know that certain churches take them in for PADS. I was wondering if there are any governmental agencies that give the churches funding to house the homeless at night. That would be truly an interesting thing to find out. I hope you can help. Have a good day.

Sharon Stolz, coordinator for the Outreach House in Lombard,  said the First Church of Lombard, United Church of Christ, which is a DuPagePads site, does not get government funding. Rather, community groups give of their time, food, supplies and other resources. And, “We receive interfaith support” from other local churches, the coordinator emphasized.

According to information on the DuPagePads Web site, the non-profit organization’s funding comes from such sources as: government grants, foundations, community organizations, United Way, businesses, individual donors and memorials. DuPagePads opened its first shelters in 1985. In addition to overnight housing, DuPagePads’ services include supportive housing (81 apartments), a client service center in Wheaton (parenting, self-esteem and other groups/workshops; links to medical, substance abuse and mental health services; laundry and shower facilities; and daily lunches); a family outreach program, medical respite to assist families and individuals in need of a safe place to recover from acute medical issues (but still access support services) and career/employment solutions.—JAC

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To all those parents out there, you teach their children well. I love when I drive down the street; kids on their bicycles with their drinks from wherever. I just had a little girl drinking a drink, throw it right on the ground. I said, why don't you turn around and go back and pick it up, and she gives me the finger. This is about a 12- to 15-year old kid. Boy, parents, be proud. You should be real proud today.

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Hi, Lombard calling here. Does anybody else realize the problem with all the pensions today? Most public pensions, including teachers and village workers, give the recipients a 3-percent raise compounded annually each and every year. Has Social Security given a raise? Has Medicare stayed the same? Are private pensions getting raises? Of course, the answer is no. Please pay attention to how you vote in the next election. The library wants our taxes to go up. There's nothing wrong with the current library. It's time to say, stop the madness. Thank you.

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This is for the person who talked about the Khan family, Hillary Clinton and Benghazi. I think the problem with that is the Clinton supporters actually believe she is above the law and she is not above the law at all. Some of you people don't even know where Benghazi is. They say some of the people who lost somebody in that, they don't hold her accountable, they don't hold her responsible for anything because she is above the law. If you were to have pulled something like this you would be taken away in handcuffs and placed in custody, and you'd be standing trial. If it wasn't Hillary Clinton and it was somebody else you'd probably want them to bring charges against the person and throw the book at them. Your apparent hypocrisy shows very well. You may not like Mr. Trump. I don't like Mr. Trump either but this man has the right to speak like everyone else. So, please, get your head out of the sand and don't vote for Trump or Hillary. Vote for an independent. We'll have a better chance with that than what we've got right now.