When is the Village of Lombard going to make pedestrian safety more of a priority at the new Mariano's? There are vehicle entrances to the store, but what about pedestrian crossings? Not everybody drives in Lombard. There are certain neighbors who do like to walk to the store, and on the corner of Finley and Roosevelt, there is not easy egress for pedestrians. It’s roped off; it’s uneven terrain. When is it going to be completed so you don't endanger the safety of Lombard citizens?

Your questions were forwarded to Village of Lombard officials, who responded: "The Village of Lombard’s main concern is resident safety and the Lombard Police Department takes the topic of pedestrian safety very seriously. To help with increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic, a new traffic signal will be installed at the entrance to Mariano’s on Roosevelt Road. This traffic signal will include a pedestrian crosswalk. Currently, the intersection of Finley and Roosevelt is under construction. Pedestrians should NOT access areas that are under construction and should seek alternative routes. We apologize for the inconvenience; however, in order to maintain your safety, it is recommended that you utilize an alternative route until pedestrian access is restored. The new Mariano’s traffic signal will provide pedestrian crossing signals once installed in the coming weeks. Please feel free to reach out to the village at 630-620-5718 with any questions."—JAC

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Lombard calling.  Earlier this year, my congressman, Peter Roskam, voted for a bill to lift the restrictions so that those adjudicated to be mentally ill could purchase firearms. He was about to vote for a bill to ease the restrictions on the sales of silencers, but the House Speaker delayed the vote because of the mass shooting in Las Vegas. Peter Roskam has already accepted more than $41,000 from the National Rifle Association. Do you think that those contributions had any bearing on his decision-making?

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This is directed to Chicago Cubs fans. Your team’s 2017 is over. The Cubs won’t be winning another game for at least five months; therefore, you can take your W flags down. Thank you!

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Villa Park’s School District 45 Fest last weekend was fantastic. Could not believe all the wonderful assortment of rides for people of all ages and colored lights that lit the sky. Shocked to see no evidence of School District 45 Fest the day after…no litter anywhere; no litter during the event either. Thank you patrons, volunteers, Windy City Amusement, District 45 and village workers. No wonder we are 28 on the list by Money Magazine; we take pride in our village.

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For the record, I never liked Donald Trump. Ever. So it's hard to give him my support just because he narrowly won the presidency by way of a system that he himself said is rigged and fixed. So to the person who asks that "we should all work with and support him" because we're Americans, I ask, under your guidelines, how much support did you give President Obama over eight years? And did the harm his presidency caused you get reversed yet?

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Lombard. I have lived under different presidents, from Truman to Trump. Of course, I was young during Truman's term. Every president had his strong points and weak points and supporters and critics, but as Americans we stood behind our presidents and our country whether we voted for the president or not. In a democracy individuals can express their disappointment or support at the next election. That is the way democracy works. Donald Trump was elected president. He should be allowed to lead our country as he believes. Negative speakers and negative media should tone it down. They will have their choice at the next election. Given that our country is essentially 49 percent to 49 percent on views, we will probably never see the kind of agreement from years past. We need to come together, love our neighbors and trust in God as our guiding principle for America. Thank you.

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Lombard commuter. There were submissions regarding the cleanliness and condition of the tunnel under the Metra tracks at the Lombard station. If I remember correctly, the response was essentially the tunnel was not owned or maintained by the village. My question is, who is responsible for maintaining the sidewalks and parking lots that run alongside both sides of the tracks from Elizabeth to Main Street? I park in the lot by Lilacia Park and walk to the train platform using the sidewalk on either side of the tracks and these are not well kept. There are weeds and saplings growing through the fence; when walking on the sidewalks with others, we have to stop and make a single file line to walk between the protruding brush and parked cars. At some points, the fence looks as if it will cave onto the sidewalk with the slightest breeze. There is trash on the sidewalks and parking spaces that can be there for weeks on end. There has been a shower shoe rotting since spring, two used discarded diapers; on Monday morning, it is common to find empty liquor bottles laying about or smashed onto the sidewalk or in parking spots.

Your inquiry was forwarded to the Village of Lombard. The response is as follows: "The Village of Lombard maintains the sidewalks and the Metra underpass tunnel, and we have contacted our contractor with your concerns to maintenance in the lot area. The plants and material coming through the fence line are the responsibility of Union Pacific Railroad. As that area is private property owned by UPRR, the village cannot make updates to the property. We have contacted UPRR to notify them about the weeds and will pass along your concerns.

"Since the installation of the fence, the materials along the train tracks have shifted, causing the fence to shift. The village has a project to repair the fence planned as part of the Capital Improvement Plan. Please feel free to call Public Works with any questions or concerns at 630-620-5740. We are happy to answer any inquiries you may have."—JAC

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I couldn't agree more with the caller who went off on Trump and the boneheads who back him. I'll never forget the moment I learned that Trump had been elected as president. I was in such a state of shock I could barely function the rest of the day. It felt like we needed a day of mourning to grieve and prepare for the horror that lay ahead, and sure enough, almost a year, life seems surreal. Maybe I've watched too many horror flicks, but it's as though an alien creature inhabited the one human form most fitting to destroy our planet. Come to think of it, all the people who voted for Trump were infected by that same alien race because no one in their right mind would have pulled the Trump switch. Are there no checks and balances in place to keep a president in line? Seems to me he's protected like the Catholic priests used to be. And the worst part about it, is that the fallout from the Trump regime has only just begun.

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Why weren't all these issues with the library brought up when they were pushing for the massive tax hike last year? The responsible thing to do: get the plan, figure out the expenses, then ask for the increase. Now that they got the increase, everyone seems to be fighting where to spend it like a big cash grab. Where are we, Chicago? I say repeal the library tax until they get their act together. Thank you.

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A recent article in the Lombardian police blotter identified Sandra Pihos, age 71, of Glen Ellyn, arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Von Maur in Yorktown. This appears to be the same Sandra Pihos who is a former member of the state legislature. I'm surprised there was no news article regarding this as she was a very public member of our legislature now pulling a tax-funded pension. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

Editor’s note: See Page 2 of the Oct. 19 Lombardian.

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Thank you to the great park district for the great job they do keeping Lilacia Park so beautiful. We feel so blessed to have this lovely oasis in the midst of our village.

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Hello, this is Lombard calling. I am very tired of the political cartoon in the Lombardian being very politically slanted. They are trivializing the protest by the NFL players as financial and otherwise motivated. There is equality and if you would look at the reasons why they're protesting and why they're kneeling, and listen instead of just making offhand jokes about it, you might learn something. Thank you.

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Enough with the same people writing letters to the editor every week. You should limit publishing letters from the same person to once every other month or put them on the payroll as opinion columnists. To those prolific writers who share their wisdom and feed their egos, I say get a life.

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Lombard residents. Yes, it is time for the library board to bite the bullet and move the library. It will solve the dispute and it will not be the end of the world to do so. I remember when the Village of Lombard decided to move the village hall from Park Avenue to North of St. Charles Road. It was the focal point of Lombard back then. They moved south to Wilson Avenue and we survived. They have an effective village complex there. The library move in years to come will also be seen as a wise decision. Get it done. Thank you.

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Lombard. This question is for the Lombard Police Department. I have a car that is registered in the state of Illinois. Do I need to display a front license plate on my car? And if yes can I be given a ticket if I don't? I ask this question because every day I see many cars, especially higher end cars, that do not display a front license plate but have an Illinois plate on the back. Some of the newer cars don't even have a front bumper or as I was told by one driver "I don't like the way my car looks with a front license plate and I will take the chance of getting a ticket."

Your inquiry was forwarded to the Village of Lombard for a response, which is as follows: "Anyone with questions for the Lombard Police Department should reach out directly at 630-873-4400 for a much faster response. It’s important to remember that when it comes to important traffic safety information, it’s best to speak directly to a Lombard Police Officer with your specific question.

The Village of Lombard enforces state regulations that are in place via the Secretary of State’s Office. Per the FAQ on their website at www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/police/faq.html,

'Yes, the front registration plate is required on vehicles registered in Illinois. Both registration plates (front and back) are required to be attached on vehicles registered in Illinois.'"—JAC