Per our recent emails, we have asked the candidates for the San Mateo City Council to tell our supporters what they plan on doing to save the San Mateo Ice Rink. Below is our third response - from Maureen Freschet. Ms. Freschet is running for one of the two 4-year Council seats. We have not edited her response: Thank you for the opportunity to address your questions regarding the ice skating rink at Bridgepointe. I genuinely appreciate the level of concern and sustained commitment that you and your group have demonstrated on this important issue. I believe that's what good citizenship is all about, and I welcome your efforts. As I'm sure you understand, it would be highly inappropriate for me to comment on any matter that might come before City Council, but I can share some personal thoughts on the broader subjects you raise. Having spent many happy hours skating at Bridgepointe with my own children, I share a personal sense of loss at the closure of the rink. As an elected official and lifelong advocate of recreational programs for youth, I certainly recognize the loss this represents both for the regional ice skating community and for our local kids. I am one of several city council members who have tried to persuade the property owners to retain the ice skating rink; but the fact is, our City's legal counsel has advised that the City of San Mateo simply has no legal authority to compel them to do so. While I understand that emotions run deep, this is not a simple "yes or no" issue, but rather complex legal and land use issues that are working their way through the public process which will be fully transparent. I am extremely proud of San Mateo's focus on youth recreational and sports programs and our amazing and expanding park system. Having spent 10 years as a Commissioner with the San Mateo County Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission, as a Board member of the San Mateo Police Activities League, and as a mom, I have devoted much of my adult life to youth services. I fully understand and appreciate the critical role that recreational activities and programs for youth play in building character, responsibility and teamwork, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles for them and all members of our community. I will continue to work hard to ensure that San Mateo's children have access to the best possible recreational resources, and I am dedicated to keeping our children in school and out of gangs through the model diversion program we are operating through San Mateo PAL. You can be assured that I will always do what is right for San Mateo, and that I will make the best possible choice from the options legally available to us when the time comes. I will continue to pursue every possible remedy to this distressing situation and my sincere hope is that ultimately we will arrive at a decision that everyone can support. Sincerely, Maureen Freschet Mayor, City of San Mateo