This sign in front of the Jim and Jodi Weidenhoff residence in James City has been erected in opposition to plans to construct a youth soccer field in the far outfield for the baseball diamond. The proposed soccer field would come close to the property line for the Weidenhoff residence on Massachusetts Avenue.

JAMES CITY -- A recreation plan for James City will focus on the development of the ballfield and, for now, won't include a proposed separate soccer field.

The Highland Township Board of Supervisors endorsed this route to follow at its meeting Wednesday at the township building in James City.

A standing-room-only crowd of about 20 attended the 100-minute meeting, which featured remarks for and against the construction of a separate soccer field.

Supervisors Charlie Vaughn, Jack Vanderneck and Paul Burton Sr. agreed that priority should be given to improvements at the ballfield.

Vanderneck called for the association to "go with the ballfield" improvements first and "forget the soccer field." Vaughn said the association should "start off to fix the ballfield."

E&M Engineers of Bradford is developing a "master plan" for recreational improvements in James City.

Andrea Wurster, a staff engineer with E&M, said she plans to meet with the Elk County Planning Commission to discuss possible state grants for recreation for Highland Township. A representative of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) also is expected to attend the meeting.

Wurster, who displayed a possible layout for a soccer field at the site, said she now will give her attention to a ballfield improvement plan since this is the direction favored by the supervisors.

Marsha Buhl, president of the volunteer recreation association, said her group circulated a petition in the township in favor of the construction of the soccer field. She said the petition has 226 names.

Jodi Weidenhoff, a James City resident who opposes a soccer field on a site near her house on Massachusetts Avenue, also circulated a petition against the plan.

Buhl claimed that some of those who signed Weidenhoff's petition were "intimidated, coerced or totally misled."

"I didn't threaten anyone," Weidenhoff replied.

Weidenhoff said she is "not against improving things for James City." However, she objects to the site of the proposed soccer field because "It's as close to my front yard as it could be." "I do not want a fence in my front yard," she said.

Buhl said the proposed site for the soccer field is located on "public and township lands." She said the fence was suggested to prevent children from "running around" on the Weidenhoff property.

Vaughn said the supervisors originally supported a recreation plan that called for a "combination" ballfield and soccer field. It was pointed out that portable nets could be set up for soccer practice on the athletic field.

The recreation association was unsuccessful in its recent efforts to obtain funding for a project under the federal community development block grant program. However, the association is hoping to seek a state grant from the DCNR. Wurster is helping the association with this application-- but the grant request now will be for ballfield improvements rather than a separate soccer field.

Vanderneck said the supervisors may be "wasting our time" seeking a state grant due to the "conflict" over the proposed soccer field as seen in the petitions.

"We've got a problem," he said. He said "50 percent want it and 50 percent don't want it."