Court freezes skate fund donations

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The question of what to do with funds raised for Portsmouth's Island Park skate area has ended up in court, with a restraining order being issued today and a hearing set for May 7, according to Denita Rossi, the attorney representing skate group leader Lori Rinkel.

At issue is $7,518 raised over the last year by skate supporters which was deposited into an account controlled by the Island Park Crimewatch organization. With the project currently on hold, skate supporters have asked that the funds be turned over to the Town. Rossi said that both sides were represented by attorneys who have been attempting to work out a resolution.

"We have been in negotiations for weeks," said Rossi, in a phone interview this afternoon. "Then the most recent response was that they would only turn over the funds as long as there wouldn't be a skate park in Island Park."

It was at this point, Rossi said, that they sought a temporary restraining order to "make sure that these funds would be protected in safe keeping as the skate park debate moves forward." That order was granted by Newport Superior Court Judge Nugent this afternoon.