No Complaints, Mr. Dudek? Not True

At the last village board meeting, Rick Dudek made a comment that was echoed by some of the other trustees.  "There has not been one complaint" about the gravel pit, he stated.

This is simply not true. There have been complaints made about the pit.  I made a couple of complaints myself several years ago regarding the noise when they were working on the berm and later when they were working past the time when they should have ceased operations.

Others have as well.  In fact, one resident was belittled by Cam Davis, the former Village Administrator, telling her that the noise that was coming from the pit was actually not coming from the pit.  She had made three official complaints to the Village regarding the noise, but no action was made by Cam Davis or anyone else in Village government.

I am not sure any of these complaints were actually recorded.  I never received a follow-up for mine, that is for sure.

But the last time Meyer came asking for an extension, residents stood up before the zoning board and complained about dust and noise.  People complained about having to frequently wash windows and replace furnace filters.  People talked about dust blanketing backyard picnic tables.

• One resident complained about the dust and mud in his pool during the summer
• Another resident said that they had to replace furnace filters so often the repair man told them not use filters or it could ruin the furnace because so much dust was clogging it
• "My backyard is an Indy 500 night and day," said one resident regarding the atv's and snowmobiles using the berm at all hours with little security

So yes, Rick "There-Have-Been-No-Complaints" Dudek, complaints have been made over the last 7 years.

And let's not forget some of the businesses located along Route 31. The owner of Trinity Auto even spoke at a zoning board meeting in 2011 regarding the dust that was blanketing his cars and how he spends $3000 extra a year just keeping his cars looking good.  Meyer had stated that they would help compensate businesses for any adverse effects the pit had on their operations. But, at that time, Meyer had done nothing.

But all of this really doesn't matter.  The fact is Meyer has not yet started mining the cells directly next to the Fox Trails subdivision.

With the agreement in place, residents gritted their teeth and prepared themselves to be inconvenienced until the agreed-upon date: June 1, 2016.  Therefore, many residents may not have complained.  They have just been waiting for it to end.

And now, if Meyer gets its way, they will have to wait three more years.....at least.

If you live in Fox Trails and would like to share your experience living next to the pit, please send an email in the comment form on the right, documenting what life is like living next to the pit.  We are currently making a little documentary about the pit and Fox Trails.  If you would like to be involved, please let me know.

Thank you.