Hello, Mr. Lombard Village President. I was interested to read your report on the status of Lombard, coming from Glen Ellyn, as it were. Unfortunately no mention of the library and what a great thing that is for Lombard. I also didn't see anything about the fact that our water bills went up. I know things look rosy, but just a little bit concerned about that, Mr. President. Thank you.

Your comments were forwarded to the Village of Lombard. The response is as follows: "The State of the Village provides general updates related to village services including Police, Fire, Public Works, Community Development, Finance and Governing. The Helen Plum Library is separate from the village, and as such they were not included in the State of the Village. Please contact the library directly with any questions at 630-627-0316. Additionally, this event is organized by the Lombard Chamber of Commerce. Please contact the chamber with any questions related to their location choice at 630-627-5040.

"The total 2018 Water and Sewer rate increase was $0.30 per 1,000 gallons of water, for a total of $14.90 per 1,000 gallons used. The village receives $4.95 per 1,000 gallons (33 percent of total) for operation, maintenance and capital improvements. If a residential customer uses 5,000 gallons of water per month, this increase of $0.30/1000 gallons will cost an additional $1.50 per month.  Twenty-seven percent of the increase goes to the village for increasing operational expenses, 50 percent of the increase pays for Lake Michigan water and 23 percent goes to Glenbard Wastewater Authority.

"This information was shared at www.villageoflombard.org/water and various communication efforts. Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at www.villageoflombard.org/enews."—JAC

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Lombard calling: Yes, I’m the one that called a few weeks ago in support of the Downers Grove North and South administration for having students that walked out of school to protest gun violence serve 1 hour of detention. I noticed there have been a few callers saying that these students shouldn’t have been punished. As I stated in my call, members of the administration met with students before the walkout and offered several alternatives that wouldn’t disturb the school day, but these students rejected each and every one. If these students were not willing to compromise, then I’m sorry—they have no one else to blame but themselves for getting detention. Protest all you want—just do it on your own time, before or after school. The last time I checked, the property taxes I pay go to educate our students, not to have them use school time to go on demonstrations, no matter how justified their cause might be. I have to ask, once again, who’s running these schools? The adults or the students? The answer should be obvious, but I guess in this day and age, it’s not.

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These things were predictable and preventable. The economic crisis of 1997 was due to our false assumption about Asian fixed exchange rates.  In 2007 we thought the housing bubble would never burst. In 2011 we knew a European nation would never default. Right now we are dancing on the deck of the Titanic, and the president with his trade war just started a game of chicken with an iceberg. Our debt level was at crisis-era peak at a time the Republican added $1.5 trillion to the deficit so that the wealthy could have permanent tax cuts—yours are only going to last a couple years. Once the interest rates start to rise, it is all going to come crashing down. Dance on.

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To the person who replied to a call about blaming Trump for getting old, and saying we always blame new presidents for our problems, I don't think the first caller was really blaming Trump for getting old. I think he or she was trying to be funny or sarcastic. Geez, people, lighten up and see an attempt at humor for what it is.

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This is a Lombard taxpayer. I want to thank the Lombardian for the article recently for the hiring of a PR professional. I wish they reported also what is the cost of this new position and the potential cost of staff and implementation of the strategic plan. I think with the high price of taxes we're paying this might be a useless position unless it is well-explained to us, including the cost. Thank you.

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Count the following human failings that helped with our nation's decline: Look at the presidency of Clinton and his illicit deceitful behavior; look at the second term of Bush and the devastating financial crisis; look at the presidency of Obama with a deepening divide among the people of our country, which was promoted by our president. Don't look at history, with rose-colored glasses. Look at the facts and evaluate. I don't need FOX News or anyone else to tell me how bad it was then and how good it is now.

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Can anybody in Villa Park or Lombard please tell me why we have rules of the road when seven out of 10 of you apparently have no respect for it? Somebody please tell me why we just don't let everybody go do whatever they want because that seems to be what's happening here in our wonderful towns of Lombard and Villa Park. Thank you.

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For quite a while now, I’ve noticed how the left likes to throw around the term “fascist.” If you want to see real live fascism in this country, just go to one of several colleges and universities across the county that have either prevented conservatives from speaking there altogether, or if they did speak, were shouted down or intimidated because they don’t want to hear a viewpoint that doesn’t agree with their own views.

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The music in the background at Jewel on Main Street in Lombard is too loud, too piercing. Please, turn it down. In my opinion, when you're shopping in a store, the music in the background should be in the background; quiet, not very loud and people singing. If that could be changed, that would really make the shopping experience at Jewel much better. Thank you.

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Good evening. God bless America. God bless Lombard. Prayers for all those affected by violence of all types, especially domestic violence. What a bizarre world we live in. A police officer at the University of Chicago is reportedly charged at by a person wielding a deadly object, i.e. a pipe and after repeated warnings the officer shoots him in the shoulder. Not sure if he had bad aim; a law enforcement officer is taught to shoot to kill. This is a shame on both sides, but to blame the officer and have these students out there protesting for no guns for the officers, really? And when you're raped or assaulted, and it's really hard to say and I apologize to all the snowflakes out there, but when bad things happen, go ahead and call a Bernie Bro instead of a police officer. I happen to be a police officer.

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My question is whether Lombard needs another hotel at all, let alone one on 22nd Street. The proposal to change the residential zoning on the property at 550 E. 22nd is ludicrous. The residential zoning is appropriate as it borders on homes and townhomes that would be adversely affected by having a multi-story hotel overshadowing their backyards. I implore the Plan Commission to deny the rezoning of that parcel and hope that all who agree will attend the Plan Commission meeting on April 16 at 7 p.m. at the village hall to state their opinions. Thank you.

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I just want to make a comment on Villa Park being the eighth best place to raise a family and the 28th best place to live in America. When Money Magazine gave that award out, that was when they thought there was a Lufkin Pool. Well, there's going to be no more Lufkin Pool so I would think that the award doesn't fit. Also, the village board seems to think they're responsible for the ranking so instead of turning it into a pay carnival, put the money toward saving the pool. This board has to go if they don't.