I volunteer at the Lombard/Villa Park Food Bank at the First Methodist Church, the one by the Dairy Queen. What a great operation it is—food, clothes, toys—all free for those who register. There is always a need for more help, especially during the holidays when so much more is donated. The dedicated volunteer staff at the church is helped by a couple of other churches. The food bank is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9-12, and the third Saturday of every month from 9-12. Many thanks to the high school kids who collected hundreds—yes hundreds—of bags of food to fill the shelves; it is truly amazing what our youth were able to do. Please remember to support the local food bank with financial donations also, so items, like meat, can be purchased. It was a “merrier” Christmas for so many because of all the donations and volunteers. Let's make it a “happier” New Year by continuing to support our friends and neighbors through the food bank and all its various functions.

* * *

I felt compelled to respond to the caller (Dec. 28 issue) who went to great lengths to remind us that abortion and a woman’s right to choose are the law of the land. I’m certainly well aware of that, whoever you are. There have been around 60 million abortions performed since Roe v. Wade in 1973, so a woman’s right to choose has been going strong for 45 years. You want to get an abortion? Fine. I just think it’s sad and appalling that my tax dollars are going to be paying for abortions in Illinois, especially if that abortion is an elective procedure, and I’m sure I’m not alone in holding this opinion. So you think religious zealots are the only ones against abortion? Think again! There are non-religious people who are morally opposed to abortion such as Robert M. Price, who wrote the book, “Jesus is Dead.” Look it up. I can name you more non-religious people who are opposed to abortion, but I’m guessing that would throw water on your pro-abortion zealot rhetoric about religious zealots—and we can’t have that now, can we?

* * *

Great work by the Lombard Park District in turning Lilacia Park into a winter wonderland. It gets better every year and the kids love it.

* * *

To the person who called the president a buffoon, and responded in the Dec. 28 paper to my comments about it, the point was that you could use whatever fits—angry, upset, disappointed, disgusted, etc. (I used angry as an example only)—to express your displeasure with Trump, as opposed to name-calling, which is what children, and apparently some adults, do, when they can't verbalize rationally. But, I sense you probably do have some anger anyway—about his being elected, the job he is doing and that many of those who voted for him and support him don't see him the way you do. One dictionary defines buffoon as “a ridiculous but amusing person,” and I am guessing you find nothing amusing about Trump. Bottom line: If you want to change minds, state facts and back them up instead of name-calling and vitriolic labeling.

* * *

A lot of the people who are saying the new tax plan will end the world are the same people who told us Obamacare would save us thousands of dollars per year on our health care costs. These people have absolutely no credibility.

* * *

So the FCC Republicans have voted to deregulate cable services. Stand by for higher prices and lower service. Yes, it was three Republicans versus two Democrats. Just like the tax “cuts” that Trump is trying to pass; only the wealthy will see any good from it.

* * *

Does society have nothing better to do than worry about the first lady's Christmas selfie or the cost of Meghan Markle’s holiday outfit? Was it a slow news week? Puh-leeze, surely there is a heart-warming story or good deed that is worthy of print. Leave that stuff to the tabloids.

* * *

I have no way of knowing what kind of president Hillary Clinton would have made. I'm not whining, I'm not carrying on but I do know what kind of president Trump is not. He is not a president. He has done nothing since he has been in office that has been any good. You can sit there and say all you want about President Obama, that he wasn't a good president and Hillary Clinton did all this, but maybe one day you will come to realize this man has made the United States of America a laughingstock. He demeans the FBI, he demeans the DOJ, he demeans the people he's around, he demeans many people he comes in contact with, and if you don't agree with him, he demeans you. The man is a pathetic human being and the last place he belongs is in the office of the president. I don't hate the man; well, I guess I do.

* * *

This is Lombard calling. To the person who commented in the paper about the new gun shop opening in Lombard, it's called free enterprise. If you don't like it, move.

* * *

If anybody needs an automobile repairperson, I highly recommend East Street Auto Body in Addison. I had a mishap with my car. I took it to one place in Elmhurst and they wanted $2,200. I went to East Street and it was $750 and the car looks like it's brand new. That's Easy Street in Addison. Please go to them. They are very, very nice.

* * *

I like how the park district has cleaned up the “prairie” patch on Greenfield just north of the pond. It looks really nice. I know it's supposed to represent a prairie ecosystem and can appreciate that for the sake of wildlife and our local history, but it was looking haggard and unsightly. The difference was noticeable right away. I know, an authentic prairie doesn't have human intervention to keep it groomed, but this one is manmade and therefore I think it needs to be maintained—and contained.

* * *

This is Lombard calling. I'd like to say a huge thank you to the Lombard Park District for the beautiful lights in Lilacia Park at Christmastime. It was simply an amazing display. It made us so happy. It was just wonderful. Thank you so much.

* * *

This is for all of the Trump-hating leftists out there. Mr. Trump has been president for nearly a year, and guess what? The planet has survived. Ever since he was elected, you high and mighty, morally superior leftists have been quite vocal. You said Trump’s election would cause the stock market to crater. Wrong. You suggested Trump’s election would cause hate crimes to surge. Wrong. You said Trump was going to push us into wars. Wrong. Lately, you’ve been saying the new tax-cut legislation will cause the end of the world and devastate the middle class. Wrong again. Many companies, in fact, have welcomed the new legislation by boosting their minimum wage or awarding bonuses to their employees. Can you leftists get anything right?

* * *

Hi, this is Lombard calling. I'm so anxious to have the intersection of Finley and Roosevelt, and Finley all done so we can process that particular stretch of highway without all the delay. I have one request: Could we have a longer light going south on Finley than what it's been in the past? It seems like about 25 cars can get by going north but only about three or four cars going south, especially during the day. Thank you so much. Bye bye.

Your request was forwarded to Lombard officials, who responded: "Since Roosevelt Road is an arterial state route, this traffic signal lies under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and the signal timing is approved by IDOT with preference given to Roosevelt Road. Signal timings are created based on intersection design studies that utilize future traffic projections and other performance requirements. IDOT staff may periodically review signal-timing locations. Please contact IDOT with specific concerns."—JAC

* * *

The Republicans say we will see more in our paychecks. Maybe, but how about all the deductions they took away and gave to the rich? They won't get away with this for long.

* * *

Hello. I have two points to make. Number one is, if a restaurant does not have accessibility for persons with disabilities, please don't patronize that business. Number two, to my fellow Democrats, please refrain from using name-calling and ugliness when referring to our president. It is what it is. We need to move on with a different agenda and win back the presidency. You're not helping the cause by getting ugly and nasty. Thank you.

* * *

To those of you who responded last week to Rep. Breen's Dec. 21 response, please read it again. Nowhere did he deny the legality or ability for a woman to terminate a pregnancy. He merely stated that constituents have stated they don't want to pay for it with taxpayer dollars, aka Medicaid. I don't either, any more than I would want to pay for someone's nose job because an individual is unhappy with his or her looks. Health issues associated with a pregnancy or, as in the nose job comparison (say a problem breathing), that's a different story. And, unless it's a health issue, just like with a nose job, abortion is elective, a choice. Furthermore, like elective procedures, anyone can have access to them, but they should be paying for it themselves. Here's a concept: Consider abstinence or birth control.

* * *

Lombard calling. I think Donald Trump acts like an arrogant jerk most of the time, but what do you Democrats have to offer voters other than your visceral hatred of Trump, more taxes, more government regulations, more “you can keep your doctor and your healthcare plan” once promised by that nice fellow, Barack Obama, and more sweetheart deals like the one Obama and John Kerry helped negotiate to appease Iran?