"This is government at its worst, democracy denied," said David Ridley, co-founder of Citizens for the Integrity of Greece Canal Park, as he addressed the nearly 100 people gathered to rally against the construction of a 22-field soccer complex in Greece, September 29.

County Executive Jack Doyle is proposing the construction of this complex on grounds that are currently dedicated as parkland bordering Greece and Ogden.

"That is why we are here today," said Ridley to the crowd that was gathered under a shelter at the park. Ridley went on to explain that wooded areas of the park would have to be eliminated to make room for the proposed field.

The rally, which began at 2 p.m. at the park shelter, moved to the proposed location of the soccer fields. Members of Citizens for the Integrity of Greece Canal Park addressed those in attendance, voicing their concerns. There was also literature available, along with anti-soccer complex signs and bumper stickers.

Annie O'Reilly, a Greece resident, attended the rally because she is worried about how the complex would affect the wildlife in that area.

"I see green space being gulped up before my eyes," said O'Reilly.

Ed Przybycien, a Parma resident and former long-time Spencerport school administrator, urged the crowd to become active. "Get in it and get involved or you're going to get it jammed down your throat," said Przybycien.

In a phone interview after the rally, Przybycien said the event, which drew quite a bit of media attention, was a success. "We got to some new people that day," he said. "What we were hoping to do was galvanize some people by bringing them closer to the site." Przybycien said he was also encouraged by some of the personal stories people shared with him. He recalled an account of a 74-year old resident who said she has gone door to door and covered 140 homes to inform residents of the proposal.

Przybycien said he is also hopeful that the financial woes that the county has incurred as a result of its other sporting venues, like Frontier Field and ESL Sports Center, will cause this project to move slowly. Regardless, Przybycien realizes that there is still a lot of work that must be done to move the proposed site out of Greece and off of parkland.

"I think it is worth fighting for, but it is an uphill battle," he said.