The Outsider's Point of View

I had to laugh a little at a recent lengthy and mis-informed letter to Ledger Dispatch regarding Sutter Creek and the Gold Rush Ranch development. It was written by Jane Keatley Harmer from little Campbell, California - a town with a population greater than all of Amador County.

The author praised the small town charm and camera-ready picturesqueness of Amador County with mention of six tourists from Atlanta who will enjoy their visit here. She then pronounced the doom to be expected if the Gold Rush Ranch development moves forward. Ms. Harmer expounded that a development like Gold Rush would “double the population of Sutter Creek Proper.” She recommends we study towns like Campbell, to find out how to preserve the historic quality of our old downtowns.

Duh. Those of us who live here realize that while the proposed development falls into the boundaries and jurisdiction of Sutter Creek, the old Allen Ranch property sits on Sutter Hill, between Ridge Road and the Cal-Trans dominated Highway 88. Hardly in the middle of Sutter Creek's historic Main Street. The letter presumes that our local government offices are populated by hay-seeds and hicks who have never traveled or lived outside of Amador County. I know from firsthand experience that our planning commissioners and councilmembers do their homework, not only listening to the input of the community and staff, but also researching successful models of small town preservation.

Ms. Harmer also tells us that leaders in quaint Campbell “constantly strive to add new revenue sources….” No doubt there are a few things to choose from in the heart of the silicon valley that the Sutter Creek council doesn't have as options. Why do people coming here from outside think they are the only folks with something other than air between their ears? Our local leaders didn't just fall of the turnip truck. Nobody thinks large development is THE ONLY ANSWER to the challenge of sustaining a rural economy. But if you really do your homework, you'll see many examples around the country of resort developments that contribute tax and impact dollars, attract tourists and shoppers to an area and create jobs. Gold Rush Ranch might be

I do not claim to have thoroughly studied this project or its impacts, so I take no position on the merits of Gold Rush Ranch in this letter. My point is this: It takes money to maintain an historic and quaint downtown. Allowing commerce on the outskirts is one way to get an infusion of funds without plopping “every-town-USA” stores smack in the middle of the old town. Sounds like what they did in Campbell. Imagine that!