Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council today will consider appointing one of 7 applicants seeking to fill Bill Hepworth’s vacancy. The applicants, alphabetically, include Mimi Arata, who in her letter of interest said she meets all qualifications in the notice of vacancy, and “over the last several months” attended “both city council and planning commission meetings.” Dennis Griffin, owner of The Griffin Company, Bellotti’s and Caffe Via Di Oro, and a developer in the city of Sutter Creek, said he has “worked with dozens of cities and counties” and has seen “out of control growth” and no growth, and “we have to establish a middle ground.” He said if appointed, he “will commit 100 percent of the time needed to be a successful” city councilman. Mike Kirkley is a member of the Sutter Creek Planning Commission. He is also a former council member, (1992-1996), a former County Planning Commissioner and is retired from CALFIRE. Jack Mitchell in his letter said he did not see a conflict between his publishing the local newspaper while having a job in politics. He wrote that: “Certainly, some that are unaccustomed or familiar with the workings of a newspaper might view my sitting on the Council as a conflict of interest.” He challenged the council to “review past editorials and articles to see if you can find conflicts from opinions or coverage that have occurred with regards to my interest in serving” on the council. He also said “I in no way dictate or demand coverage” while overseeing the operations of the newspaper. Linda Rianda, retired Corrections warden and peace officer, and former junior high and high school teacher, said she participated in the city’s visioning process, attended council meetings, and volunteers at the Sutter Creek Visitor’s Center. Reed Shugart is a board member of the Sutter Creek Fire Protection District and past director of AFPD. He said he is “a Gold Rush supporter and wish it was already under construction.” He said “I look forward to relaying my views to Gold Rush opponents.” Weathersly said he was “well aware of the dedication and time commitments necessary to fulfill the obligations to this position.” Weathersly is a member of Protect Historic Sutter Creek, which has been “actively participating in the planning commission proceedings and meeting with other community residents in an attempt to reduce the negative effects of the Gold Rush subdivision on the city,” according to a Foothill Conservancy website posting. The group produced “No On Gold Rush” signs and distributed them around Sutter Creek. The city council will interview each candidate in the open session today, and staff expects them to make an appointment in the meeting today as well. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.