Parma residents mobilize to shutout soccer complex

Chris Foote has lived on Parma Center Road for nine years and never appreciated his neighbors as much as he does today. When word spread about a proposal to place a youth soccer complex in Parma, Foote was interested. When he found out the 121-acre, 25-field complex would border three sides of his property he became really interested.

In each of the five weeks following the April 11 meeting where Bernie Iacovangelo, from the Greece Cobras Soccer Club, presented his vision for the largest youth soccer complex in Western New York, Foote has gathered a group of about 50 concerned citizens in a barn at 96 Butcher Road every Monday at 7 p.m. "At every meeting there are new faces," Foote said. "I've got a lot of good neighbors and like-minded people."

Foote, who works at Wegman's, hasn't previously been involved in local politics, but has always had an interest in political issues. Now he is getting the opportunity to watch the political process up close and personal because of the soccer issue. Under Foote's leadership, the group is working to get the word out. They have posted signs throughout Parma, started a website (www.noparmasoccercomplex.com), raised about $1,300, met with town organizations and associations, sought legal counsel and will soon begin circulating a petition (hoping to get at least 3,000 signatures) and will be advertising.

This effort has required a significant amount of time and energy, but Foote said the burden is being spread. "I think this group has come to the conclusion that win or lose on this issue, we'll stay active," Foote said.

He cites the heated debate over Fairfield Place as a warning sign for the work ahead. The Fairfield Place proposal from a few years ago called for building apartments, town homes, patio homes, senior housing and single family homes on a 140-acre lot located on the west side of Manitou Road, just north of Ridge Road West. That proposal drew a lot of concern from nearby residents who formed a group to protest the development. In the end, the developer was granted permission to move forward, but with some revision to the initial plan. "It's an uphill battle for us ... it's a fight worth fighting," Foote said.

Rick Lemcke, Parma supervisor, said the town has not yet received an official proposal for the complex. At the April 11 meeting, Iacovangelo said the proposed complex is to serve as a facility for Greece Cobras Soccer travel teams ad maybe other local youth teams. At Monday night's meeting, many people expressed a concern that the fields would not be open to the town's youth soccer teams.

May 14, 2006