Regarding the Sept. 16, 2008 guest commentary, "The Folsom of the Mother Lode," I disagree with some of Mr. Mair's statements. The 1,334 homes will be built over the next 15 years. I first came here in 1978 and had to wait another five years before I could move here; I have noticed many changes over the last 26 years. Yes, traffic has increased due to the 4,000 homes built in the last 15 years, but downtown Sutter Creek really has not changed. We now have less traffic after the bypass and all the large trucks have been removed. Yes, we do have the new Martell Plaza - it has created jobs and is nothing like Folsom and Sacramento.

The Gold Rush Ranch and Golf Resort will not be built around Sutter Creek; it will be to the west of Sutter Creek. I would suggest anyone who has questions about what this project includes to please go on the tour and see what will be included in this development. I did in the very beginning, as I wanted to see how it would change the area and what they were doing for the residents of Sutter Creek before I gave them my support. I was pleasantly surprised.

I personally think the people buying into this development are the people that want to live on the golf course and are retired and looking for a slower lifestyle. Those people come here to shop in downtown, but I am sure they will use the bypass if they are going to Martell. I am hoping the hotel and time share will bring some people to the downtown area. As a business owner, I know we could certainly use some additional customers. I have always tried to shop locally and only wish everyone else did. If we have no growth and the downtown area disappears, this would be very sad. Those of us who can live here should realize how lucky we are.

What will the development bring to Sutter Creek? I am not sure where to begin. The development has met with the school district, the fire and police departments, ARSA, LIFT and, in some cases, discussions are still ongoing. Gold Rush asked each of these departments what they wanted and/or needed and I believe, in the end, we will find out they have been given more than they have asked for. We are getting far more than the bare minimum required by state guidelines. This developer will sign an agreement with the city binding them to the agreements they have made or they will not get their building permits. This project will help the building contractors, the landscaping companies and many, many others in our community. It will also increase revenues for the county and Sutter Creek. We are looking at an additional 2,500 (perhaps) people over the next 15 years. We will still be a little city. I do not know the population of Folsom, Sacramento or Roseville; they are very large communities. This is a ridiculous projection like so much of this rhetoric you are spewing. Please stop trying to scare the local community with your exaggerated population moving to our quaint little city.

Kathryn Shipman is the owner of Turning East in Sutter Creek.