Amador County – Close to 100 people attended a kickoff party Tuesday in Sutter Creek for Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort, which faces a referendum June 8th for its 945-acre project off Lower Ridge Road. The group filled the conference space at Belotti’s, and 2 native Amador County residents were among the speakers urging a “yes” vote on Measure N, including project partner Troy Claveran, and Sutter Creek Mayor Gary Wooten. Both grew up in Jackson. Claveran, a golf course designer, said the saga began about 9 years ago, when he approached the city about building a wastewater treatment plant, a golf course, and a resort on newly purchased land, the Noble Ranch. Fire Chief Butch Martin said he supported Gold Rush, because the community “can’t go anywhere without development.” And he said “with paid personnel and with Gold Rush, we can bring fire service to a higher level.” Gold Rush’s Bill Bunce was “proud of the turnout and support.” He said Sutter Creek City Council’s approach to the project was to “put local taxpayers first,” and the days are over that land developers can come in and “say damn the torpedoes”: A project now must be good for taxpayers and the city. He said county unemployment is 15 percent, and Gold Rush would bring jobs. Bunce expected a challenge by referendum, because he has faced them before, so they prepared by creating a “project that’s good for the city.” Bunce said: “We can win this election. Frankly, we can win it handily, but we have to get our supporters to the polls.” He said they have good leadership, and if they execute, they “will have a big, happy party on June 8th.” Wooten said he gave 50 years of public service in the county, including with CDF, CHP and 13 years with Martin and the Sutter Creek Volunteer Fire Department. When the city council purchased Noble Ranch for spray fields, Claveran approached the city wanting to buy it and build a golf resort and tertiary treatment plant. He said it took 9 years, but “I couldn’t be more pleased with the project.” Wooten said Gold Rush “has caused a big division in the city, and I regret that,” but the opposition just wants “no growth, and no growth is going to be the end of us.” He said: “They want to preserve historic Sutter Creek and so do we.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
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Amador County – Close to 100 people attended a kickoff party Tuesday in Sutter Creek for Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort, which faces a referendum June 8th for its 945-acre project off Lower Ridge Road. The group filled the conference space at Belotti’s, and 2 native Amador County residents were among the speakers urging a “yes” vote on Measure N, including project partner Troy Claveran, and Sutter Creek Mayor Gary Wooten. Both grew up in Jackson. Claveran, a golf course designer, said the saga began about 9 years ago, when he approached the city about building a wastewater treatment plant, a golf course, and a resort on newly purchased land, the Noble Ranch. Fire Chief Butch Martin said he supported Gold Rush, because the community “can’t go anywhere without development.” And he said “with paid personnel and with Gold Rush, we can bring fire service to a higher level.” Gold Rush’s Bill Bunce was “proud of the turnout and support.” He said Sutter Creek City Council’s approach to the project was to “put local taxpayers first,” and the days are over that land developers can come in and “say damn the torpedoes”: A project now must be good for taxpayers and the city. He said county unemployment is 15 percent, and Gold Rush would bring jobs. Bunce expected a challenge by referendum, because he has faced them before, so they prepared by creating a “project that’s good for the city.” Bunce said: “We can win this election. Frankly, we can win it handily, but we have to get our supporters to the polls.” He said they have good leadership, and if they execute, they “will have a big, happy party on June 8th.” Wooten said he gave 50 years of public service in the county, including with CDF, CHP and 13 years with Martin and the Sutter Creek Volunteer Fire Department. When the city council purchased Noble Ranch for spray fields, Claveran approached the city wanting to buy it and build a golf resort and tertiary treatment plant. He said it took 9 years, but “I couldn’t be more pleased with the project.” Wooten said Gold Rush “has caused a big division in the city, and I regret that,” but the opposition just wants “no growth, and no growth is going to be the end of us.” He said: “They want to preserve historic Sutter Creek and so do we.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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