Parma candidates questioned on soccer complex issue

Candidates for the Town of Parma council seat were asked their opinions on a much-discussed soccer complex which has been suggested in the town.

Incumbent Jim Smith said, "There are no proposals before the town board and I don't anticipate a proposal coming before us."

Smith said such a complex doesn't fit the current zoning and it would take "major rezoning" for it to work. "It would take not only rezoning for the parcel where a complex would sit, but rezoning of the entire area. And a proposal like this could only occur during a series of public hearings."

Smith is a self-proclaimed "soccer dad" and former coach with the Hilton Heat.

"As things stand now, I don't see that the board would approve of the project," he said. "They might come up with a different proposal that might change the minds of the board. As for my opinion on it, I can't say no, or yes, on anything before I see it."

Smith's opponent for the council seat, Joseph Rittler said, "I am not in favor of the soccer complex. We have a Master Plan for development that was created at considerable cost to taxpayers. This plan laid the groundwork for the current zoning. For this project to proceed, we would need to effectively rezone this property, either through a variance or a variety of other methods, any of which defeats the entire purpose of creating a Master Plan in the first place. I want to ensure our zoning laws are adhered to."

The council post is for three years.

October 29, 2006