A 'Crappy' Neighbor To La Grange: Official

LA GRANGE, IL — A south La Grange resident referred to "crappy neighbors" to the town's east and west at Monday's Village Board meeting. The village president agreed with the resident in part.

During public input, the resident blamed flooding in south La Grange on the Hanson quarry to the east and La Grange Country Club to the west. Other residents also pointed the finger, laying most of the blame on the quarry.

See related story: Angry La Grange Residents Tell Off Village Board

After public input, Village President Mark Kuchler noted the reference to "crappy neighbors." He agreed with that description for the quarry in McCook, owned by Hanson Aggregates.

"I find them to be an unbearable neighbor," Kuchler said. "By and large, they are 100 percent profit-driven and do not care about the impacts to our village, whether it's the blasting, the vibrations or the dust. I don't think they care. They are about money."

Kuchler said the corporation has refused an offer to be fairly compensated to move water from the west side of the quarry to the east side, then pump it out.

"As far as crappy neighbors, I think the quarry fits the definition all the way," he said.

As for the country club, Kuchler said the organization has improved drainage, particularly when it built paddle courts and a new pool.

"Could they do more? Absolutely. Would I hope they do more? Absolutely," Kuchler said. "Unfortunately, the country club is in unincorporated Cook County. It's not in La Grange. I can't say we are putting a stop work order. We don't have jurisdiction over them."

The village, Kuchler said, requested the country club put in a berm along Brainard Avenue. The organization studied the proposal, but decided against it, he said. He also said the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District has barred the village from building the berm, unless the country club gives permission.

Hanson Aggregates and the country club did not return messages for comment.