Taste of Lombard votes hypocritical

Summer, 2010 will not be the same after seeing the Lombard village board approve a motion to cancel two long-running Lombard traditions. The Taste of Lombard and one of the best fireworks shows across the suburbs are both coming to an end, seemingly because of political spite rather than lack of funding.

Hotel/motel funds are earmarked specifically for these types of tourism and community promotion activities and do not impact the village's general operating fund. This funding does not come from property taxes or the village operating budget but instead from taxes paid by users of Lombard's many hotels/motels. That important fact was sadly absent from most of the discussion that focused on fiscal responsibility.

It is interesting to note that these same trustees recently approved a grant application from the Friends of the DuPage Theatre for $3,000 for costs associated with the DuPage Invitational Sculpture Show. This same board approved a grant application from the Lombard Park District for $12,674.88 to fund 2010 Lilac Time advertising.

Where was the concern for fiscal restraint on these agenda items? Do we really need to advertise the parade? Haven't the Friends cost Lombard enough with the DuPage Theatre fiasco? Four trustees (Laura Fitzpatrick, Dana Moreau, Bill Ware and Zachary Wilson) voted to deny the grant request to help offset costs associated with the Taste and fireworks. Let's hope Lombard voters remember these political game players come election time and give them the bitter taste of defeat. Lombard residents deserve better.

Robert Biddle

Lombard