Dear Supporter of the San Mateo Ice Rink, Things are heating up in anticipation of the important December 8 Planning Commission meeting. The San Mateo Daily Journal ran a piece today on the upcoming meeting. PLEASE leave a comment at the bottom of the article on the San Mateo Daily Journal site (not on the change.org site). City officials regularly read this paper so it is important to demonstrate that, despite the length of the battle, we are still fighting. Key points to remember: - The City has the power to stop SPI. A year ago the Planning Commission shot down the developer's proposal. In 1998, the City Council voted against a developer's proposal to tear down the rink. - The $3 million offered by the developer is a joke when compared with the value of the current ice rink, which could be operational within a short period. A new ice rink would cost several times that amount and require years before becoming operational. - SPI has negotiated in bad faith with the City. The Planning Commission has chastised SPI for closing the rink for 2+ years without City approval on the future for the property. We expect more from SPI and its owner Dennis Wong (an owner of the Golden State Warriors). - The ice rink zoning was in place long before SPI bought the property. Now SPI is complaining that they need to change the zoning to remain competitive. If the City approves the proposal, SPI will make out like bandits as their property value skyrockets. Thanks again for your support and we will see you at the Planning Commission meeting on December 8. Sincerely, Mike Swire & the Committee to Save the San Mateo Ice Rink