DuPage Theater
109 S. Main Street,
Lombard,
IL
60148
109 S. Main Street,
Lombard,
IL
60148
14 people
favorited this theater
Showing 951 - 975 of 1,253 comments
As some one who has read Robert DiFino’s posts on this and other sites, I would have to recomend that people not attempt to reason/debate with him. I suspect that this guy isn’t all there upsatairs. He has made comments almost threatening theatre supporters, wanting to meet the “out on a street corner” to “talk” out differences, then complains about how the Friends treat people. He has put up posts aranting about he can’t work with people who “lie and stretch the truth” thenhe changes the post to simply read “Strange”…Yeas he is! One minute he is ranting and raving, the next minute he is wanting to sit down with the Friends to “work out differences” and “see if a compromise can be reached”. Doesn’t sound too balanced to me…
It’s sad that you folks have to use this board to attack each other.
Duper Supporter, Why don’t you give me a call? I’m in the book. Perhaps I can help you understand because you sound very confused. Although you failed to post your name, I have a feeling I know who you are. I find it “strange” that you don’t have the testicular virility to use your name. Maybe that’s why your plan failed.
Mr.Difino’s statements on this website are very strange and puzzling.Mr.Difino states “I would suggest that those opposed to the theatre and the plan attached to it, should stay off a restoration site.” Yet Mr.Difino had made 4 additional statements and has made 4 additional posts.Strange.
Mr.Difino states “ I have contacted the friends of the dupage theatre about working with them to preserve a good portion or even all of the theatre as part of a new library plan."
Strange.
Lombard has oficially stated that it will reject ALL federal and state grants issued to restore the theatre.
Does Mr.Difino expect the voters of Lombard to vote for the restoration of the Dupage Theatre as part of a library referendum?
Especially after refusing all grants.
I believe that Mr.Difino has pubilicy stated that he is against using TAX dollars for the restoration of the Dupage Theatre.
A referendum to restore the theatre as part of the library would surely be using TAX dollars.
Very strange.
Maybe Mr.Difino could clarify his statements.
The library at the theatre site has been discussed for the past few years. Only now has the library board “officially” thrown it’s hat into the theatre game. The residents want a new library. The last referendum failed not on the basis of need for a library but based on the flawed plan that was presented to the voters. The library survey of residents proves that an overwhelming majority of residents support a new downtown library. The scenario as presented by “DuPage Dude” is so full of holes…typical of “friend-like think”. If the Dupe site was so coveted by some “convenient developer” why would the village waste yet another year or more going round and round with the library board and placing the issue on the spring ballot? If this site was so coveted it would have been SOLD years ago and a new development already done or at least forthcoming (without the theatre). Lombard WINS with a library/theatre plan more than they ever would with the Friends/RSC plan. The Friends better jump on the “library train” today before the last car leaves….or it could really derail their theatre dreams.
Of course, the ONE thing left the Friends have’t done that might work, they REFUSE to do, and that is a petition dive of REGISTERED LOMBARD voters! If the Trustees are sworn to represent their citizens, and the citizens vote FOR the Theatre project, how could they vote no? Would a overwhelming majority in favor send a strong message to the Board, as well as the State and the detractors? Alas, like all good things, this too must come to an end, and that’s where, to me, it looks like this is going unless some BIG changes happen…AND SOON!!!
Let’s face it, the library referendum didn’t pass last time, and if you add in the theatre costs, the price tag goes up again. The detractors want people to think they want to save “parts” or the entire theatre—read how they change their tune, showing no TRUE interest in the theatre. WHat the forsee is knocking down the theatre “for the new and improved library” they will say. But here comes the referendum to pay for the library. It fails…AGAIN and the Village is left with an empty lot. Their next move will be to sell it to a convienent developer who just happens to have a development plan ready and waiting. True karma would be for a high-rise apartment building on the site-oops, sorry Charlotte residents, the Village just improved all their variances AND extended the TIF for them…NOW WHO WINS, LOMBARD???
Ms. Lippig needs to back away from the Kool Aid. It sounds like Trustee Sebby made it perfectly clear that the matter is closed. He called a meeting to give her an opportunity to have some say regarding what ends up at the site once demolition takes place. She thought it was a chance to talk about another grand fantasy that does nothing to resolve the financial issues. According to the article, Sebby says the “Friends” cooked their goose during the Board meeting by lashing out at individuals.
Time is running out. Will the Friends of the DuPage come back to earth and accept a compromise? That’s about the only hope they have, barring a bailout from Springfield.
For starters, it would help if we stopped antogonizing them with phony handles like DebDupe. Go ahead and post your real name. It will only help the issue. I believe those that are truly advocates of the theatre will eventually face reality and jump on board. Let’s help them make working with us somewhat palatable.
Indeed it would set a great example but don’t count on it anytime too soon….that would make too much sense. Given the shenanagins of late with false accusations of back room deals and other nonsense, the “friends” will likely create a human chain to block the bulldozers come demolition day. It truly is sad that when the olive branch of community wide cooperation gets immediately snipped by the narrow minded theatre supporters. Blame the detractors and website creators all you want but the only ones to blame in the end are the Friends themselves.
To be more specific, the Friends are unwilling to forgo restoration of the adjacent shoppes in a library/theatre plan. For those of you that are not familiar with the property, the shoppes are the biggest contributor to the “eyesore” issues that most detractors have. They are not historical by any means and most people wouldn’t live there as a dog. If the shoppes were peeled off, there may be some realistic options of saving some or all of the theatre in the new and inevitable library plan. I’ll never understand why people consumed with such great passion for the theatre can’t consider compromise. Nobody from my side of the issue will push a combo theatre library plan unless the Friends jump on board. It’s the only chance they have. Somebody from this site needs to talk sense into them.
Presumably, the proximity of the Rice cinemas at the same time would also have to do with that decision, but I can see why you’d convieniently ignore that.
I have contacted the Friends of the Dupage Theatre about working with them to preserve a good portion, or even all of the theatre as part of a new library plan. They are unwilling to make any concessions at this time. The promenade lobby which is arguably the most impressive and least deteriorated section of the building would make an awesome entrance into a new public library. It could also serve as an excellent place to showcase historical items, photos and paintings. On a united front, current theatre supporters and detractors to the restoration plan could accomplish almost any objective. The taxpayers are ready for anything that is different and forward moving. I would ask those that frequent this site because they have lost a theatre in their home town, to encourage the Lombard Friends to put their pride aside and compromise. Wouldn’t a compromise set a great example for the children of Lombard?
From what I have been told; Classic Cinemas said the building was in too much disrepair and they said it was not fiscally viable. Apparently other private ventures felt the same way.
DebDupe,
As I noted above, the idea of constructing a library and using the facade of the old theatre is an intriguing one. The marquee could be retained and used for community announcements. A small auditorium, which could be used for showing classic films (yes “films” not “videos”), could be incorporated into the design of the new library. Another room could have historical exhibits and photographs of other movie palaces. If one “thinks outside the box”, the possibilities are endless.
I finally saw this theatre from the METRA Union Pacific West Line yesterday. I saw how run down it looks and I saw the safety fencing around it. I always wondered why someone like Classic Cinemas never jumped at the chance to own the DuPage. Other cities along the same METRA line have cinemas that are doing well (The York in Elmhurst; the Glen Art in Glen Ellyn; the Lake in Oak Park). Why hasn’t Lombard made a go of the DuPage (before it became too rundown?
Says Ms. Lippig of the Friends…“There is something we’re working on — that looks tremendously promising,” she said, noting it is not a financial solution but one that both Cronin and former Senate President James “Pate” Philip are helping restoration activists craft behind the scenes. “We are working on a strategy, and it’s a very good one. I think it’s going to happen, but I couldn’t get him to see or understand that.”
The only strategy the friends should be working on now is to build public support for a library at Main & Parkside that incorporates components of the theatre lobby and facade. Otherwise all their denial and attacks will simply lead to demolition…then they have no one to blame but themselves when the bulldozers come.
Here’s a news article from today’s local paper about the Dupe
View link
Fiscal Insanity; It was just a normal Board meeting, nothing about the theatre was on the agenda seeing that they already voted on the theatre in June. But the ‘friends’ paraded another group of people up to the podium during public participation to talk about the same old stuff. One friend suggested we tear everything down and sell-out…the Village President cut his ramblings short and called him ‘silly’.
Deb nothing I say has been truthful?!?!? Please wasn’t it you who stretched the truth about the 4500 signatures? List what I haven’t been truthful about.
DuPage Dude, contact me at and we can talk off board if you’d like.
Challenger, nothing you’ve ever said has been truthful as far as I can tell. You have no credibility on this board. It’s easy to throw mud all day long when you’re standing in the shadows.
Again, Deb Dynako – No plan B.
Exactly how committed to the arts are you?
You have an opportunity at compromise you and your group would prefer to flush down the toilet.
If you begin to accept reality and focus your energy on building a unique, outdoor facility on the site of the current library, you will be pleasantly surprised by how much political currency you have to spend. Instead, you’re screaming for the projectionist to show the movie one more time while the ushers sweep the aisles.
Make lemonade out of lemons while you still have time.
Challenger –
What was the outcome of the meeting?
DupageDude I’ll answer your 4 questions No, No, No, and No.
They have lied about support for 6 years now. First they said it was 5000 people. Now they say there are 1000 signs in our town showing support. Everybody knows that is a lie. That’s like 1 in 10 houses or two sign per block. All one has to do is drive around town and see that the signs are scattered sporadically at best..maybe 200 total.
All one had to do is watch the August 18th Board meeting and watch one supporter who was asked to leave the podium and then chastised for being ‘silly’ because of his endless ramblings.
The question(s) that have to be asked of the friends are 1.Have the Friends done EVERY possible thing to prove the support is ther (petitions signed by LOMBARD TAXPAYERS ONLY showing support in the community for the project? 2. Have the Friends tried to work with all entities of the Vilage in a polite, rational manner? 3. Has the voice for the Friends been, honest, non-controversial and non-cofrontational towards public officals? 4. Has the voice of the Friends been a TRUE and ACCURATE representation of it’s members?
When a statement such as this one “Besides it better to watch you and your theatrics. I especially like how you ask a question and answer it with your own opinion. Keep it up though it seems to be working.” Is made repeatedly by people, it may be time for a change…
For months I have watched the seemingly endless bickering about this theatre. I agree with the post by Robert above. Would all you bickering anti-theatre folks get off this site. This is CinemaTreasures and not some whiney little Lomard taxpayer site. Have any of you folks in Lombard actually talked to each other, or do you just spread heresay on this site?
Why should I speak publicly. I have voiced my opinion to my Trustee, and an overwhelming majority agree with me.
Besides it better to watch you and your theatrics. I especially like how you ask a question and answer it with your own opinion. Keep it up though it seems to be working.
See you at the meeting :)
Challenger,
We know one thing is for sure…YOU won’t be speaking publicly! :)