A new sign situated outside of Amador City has generated controversy amongst its citizens. The Highway 49 bypass effectively limited the number of big rigs and logging trucks that came rumbling through the tiny hamlet, but it also limited tourism and made access to the town confusing for first time visitors. In an effort to make the city more noticeable, the Amador County Transportation Commission, or ACTC, recently commissioned an impressive bronze sign, which was erected at the corner where the old 49 and 49 bypass converge. Although no citizen has complained about the aged bronze cityscape used as the sign’s backdrop, they have taken issue with the placement of the town’s title itself.

 “It is so low you can’t even see it if you’re standing 20 feet away. It blends right in with the city background, and once the grass grows at the base of the sign, the letters will be covered completely,” said a waitress at the local restaurant, Buffalo Chips. The City’s title is indeed placed low, sitting near the ground. Construction crew members, who erected the sign while simultaneously constructing the walking path and sign at the entrance to Sutter Creek, have explained that there are plans to add a solar powered light which will make the words more visible. But Amador City residents say that’s not enough. “They need to paint it or raise it or something” said Ray Hartman, an Amador resident who made a special trip to see the sign on Tuesday. ACTC has not yet said whether they plan to make adjustments to the sign, but plans are in consideration.