Hi, this is Lombard calling. I was just curious as to why there is not a turn-signal light at the intersection of Main Street and Parkside, because of all the commuter traffic you've got to watch out for. No one pays attention to the street signs about how long they have to cross. Everyone just crosses and they don't care that there's traffic trying to get through. You have to worry about cars coming at you and hitting you and I don't think it's a safe intersection. So, I was just curious as to why there hasn't been a turn signal put in here.

Dave Gorman, acting director of the Village of Lombard Public Works Department, replied: “That intersection is posted ‘no right turn on red’ during commuters' hours. The village's Transportation and Safety Committee recently discussed pedestrian safety at this intersection. The committee concluded to keep the existing traffic signals and signage. Of course, pedestrians have the right-of-way in the crosswalks with a green light.” —JAC

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I have been reading the Lombardian on the train for months on Wednesday morning. On my walk to the train, I am disgusted by the overflowing garbage cans on the platform and the piles of cigarette butts that are never swept up when the cans are dumped. A question to the village: When will that train station depot be improved? There are no restrooms and the place is filthy. I don't see other towns on the train line-Elmhurst, Wheaton or Glen Ellyn-that are in such poor condition. Can signs be added for littering? As a DuPage taxpayer, my fellow train riders and I who pay $3,000 to $5,000 per year in real estate taxes would like to see some improvements in the downtown area. Maybe we need Sarah Palin to run for the Village of Lombard instead; stand up to the gold ole boys-time for some changes.

Dave Hulseberg, village manager, responded: “On Aug. 30, 2007, the village obtained a lease of the train station from Union Pacific Railroad. It was anticipated that improvements by the village would have been completed by now.” The village manager indicated that contracts are being signed for a number of improvements: for video monitoring cameras, handicapped-accessible bathrooms (one male, one female), a coffee vendor, a clock tower, a new asphalt roof, new windows, wrought-iron gates to prevent access to the lower alcove, relocation of bike racks and a reapplication of anti-graffiti paint to the brick. The total cost is estimated to exceed $250,000, stated Hulseberg, who said that the village Web site, www.villageoflombard.org, will post information on the timeline. He also indicated that the village is responsible for interior maintenance, whereas Metra and Union Pacific are responsible for exterior maintenance of the stairs and platforms. Hulseberg related, too, that upcoming downtown improvements include a wall on the north side of the railroad tracks at grade with the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot, and a new popcorn shop on West St. Charles Road. —JAC

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Villa Park calling. I just read in the newspaper where trustees are discussing bringing back the village car sticker. Does that mean eliminating the municipal tax that replaced the sticker when they were discontinued?

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Hello, Lombard, I have a few suggestions for the skate park contingent. First, you should get together and apply to the Lilac Parade Committee to be allowed to participate in the parade next spring. You could then show the residents some tricks and maybe they would realize that you're more than some kids or just bored and hanging out. You could also have some of your parents walk the parade with petitions for residents to sign, asking the village for the skate park which you desire. Another suggestion is to raise funds through car washes or other activities and bring these funds to the board meeting and donate them to the park district earmarked for the skate park. Once they receive the funds they'll probably take you more seriously. Another suggestion-the church school where you like to skate has a group of volunteers who cut the grass and keep up their property on Saturdays. I bet they'd be happier to see you there if you picked up a bag of weeds or garbage and offered to work a little for the use of their property. They probably don't mind you kids being there; you have to understand, though, you will cause damage to those steps if you continue jumping your skateboards over them.

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Lombard calling. In riding through Villa Park recently, I noticed that they're taking the precaution of sealing their streets in order to preserve the blacktop. In the ’60s and ’70s, Lombard used to hire summer help and high school kids and they'd walk around with a tar kettle and fill the cracks, also trying to preserve it. Now they hire summer help that goes around and looks at your garbage cans and harasses businesses and residents, and to heck with the streets. Reprioritize, Lombard.

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To the person who claimed that no-left-turns on Route 53 are a wonderful thing for residential areas and should be left as is, try living on Edgewood, where all of that redirected traffic has been buzzing down our street for years now. The village, IDOT and township all blamed each other but never resolved the issue. So, every day we get all of the traffic, including the little speed-racing teenagers on their way to/from Glenbard East, as well as buses that rattle the windows. But hey, as long as you are happy, everything must be OK.

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Over the last couple of years I have been receiving these nice, glossy expensive mailers from Peter Roskam. They tell of the wonderful things Roskam has been doing while in Congress. These mailers amount to nothing more than an advertisement for Roskam. All of this would be fine with me, except for what I discovered in the fine print. It is stated that these mailers have been paid for by taxpayers. I, for one, am not very happy with this. Does this bother anyone else?

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I'm calling in response to SPEAK OUT on Sept. 17 complaining that skateboarders need to concentrate on doing more chores, good work, reading, going to the mall, etc., to use up their time instead of wanting a skate park. That assumption into the character of all skateboarders is not only uneducated, it's insulting. My own son does all of the above. How can someone judge an entire population, especially children, in such a negative manner? How ludicrous that you would expect a group of teens to approach a business and pay for their own skate park. Their parents pay plenty in taxes to facilitate the building of a skate park. Your sarcastic, nasty comments show a mean-spirited understanding of the situation. I'm quite sure any parent of a skateboarder would be willing to participate in a forum to discuss the building and use of a skate park in Lombard through the park district.

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I'm sick and tired of you kids whining about a skate park in Lombard. Years ago we wanted to roller skate; now you have skateboards. I got my roller skates and went to the Elmhurst Roller Rink. My parents drove me there and then drove me back. So, you want a skate park? There are other towns you compare us to-have your parents put your skateboard in the car, drive you there and drive you back. Perfect situation. I'm not going to support this. I'm very upset about it. You're not being good kids. Quit wrecking public property, quit terrorizing drivers coming down the street when you're in the middle of the road. It's not right.

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I am laughing out loud about the SPEAK OUT caller who stated that Sarah Palin doesn't let the facts get in her way and then goes on to declare support for her. God bless America? No, God help America would be the more appropriate sentiment.