Parties settle eight year-old Granite City drainage suit

The parties in a long-running suit over flooding in two Granite City subdivisions settled the case the morning just before it was to go to trial.

According to the case's docket sheet, attorneys for all the parties in the case announced its settlement Monday morning.

A copy of Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder's order approving that settlement is not yet available.

The plaintiffs – property owners in two Granite City subdivisions – sued Zora Lesko, Madison County and the other defendants for allegedly botching drainage easements and causing their properties to flood repeatedly.

The case has dragged on for eight years, retaining most of its parties.

Plaintiffs Darla Bauer, William Smith, Vicky Davis and Pamela Winn sued Lesko, Fred Hardesty, Jerry Hardesty, Phyllis Hardesty Morris Realty Company, the Metro East Sanitary District, Madison County Special Service Area and Madison County for counts of trespass, nuisance and obstruction of drainage.

Defendant David Clements was dismissed from the case. Zora Lesko's husband, Michael, died while the suit was in process.

According to the case's docket, the settlement proceeds will be placed with Anderson & Gilber Trust. The parties are to bear their own costs.

The plaintiffs were represented by Francis Duda.

Zora Lesko was represented by Debra Meadows.

The Hardestys do not have representation listed.

The Morris Realty Company acted pro se.

The Metro East Sanitary District was represented by James Cook.

Madison County was represented by Donald Smith.

The case was Madison case number 02-L-846.