Protesters prefer pigs over pricey water tower, well

A handful of Island Lake residents lent an oink of support Thursday night to a man fighting a village proposal for a water tower and well next to his home.

In recognition of Wauconda Township resident Robert Wargaski's planned pig farm, the residents sported plastic pig noses and carried signs at the village board meeting.

"This board stinks," resident Laurie Rabattini said. "We're trying to send a message."

Wargaski has been fighting for years against a planned Island Lake water well and tower next door to his property. Now Wargaski is saying he plans to do some building of his own: a containment facility and manure lagoon for the 50 to 100 pigs he's planning to farm on his five acres of land.

Environmental regulations forbid animal manure too close to public water sources.

Rabattini said she supports Wargaski's fight against the village but says the conflict is due to flawed leadership

"This is an example of larger problems," she said. "I'd be more pro a pig farm than I am a $5 million water tower."

Cassie Martin, who also wore the nose and carried some of the signs, agreed.

"We're willing to fight for what's right," she said. "We need to be here."

The women planned to stand up with their noses on and signs up during public comment period, which did not come until late Thursday.

Wargaski, who was not present Thursday, has argued the planned well would lower his property values and force him to dig his well deeper. He has also sought an injunction in Lake County court to stop the construction of the well and tower.

Wargaski's land is zoned as agricultural, but the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has already issued the village a permit to build the tower. Mayor Tom Hyde has said he's not certain what will happen with the proposed pig farm but doesn't believe the IEPA will take away a permit it has already granted.