Bart Weatherly's recent letter about the Planning Commission meeting on Gold Rush Ranch contained a number of factual inaccuracies. Mr. Weatherly wrongly asserts that the Gold Rush Ranch project sponsors opposed building a water treatment facility, an 18-hole golf course, parks, affordable housing and roadway improvements. I attended the Planning Commission meeting and find these claims to be far from the truth.

Gold Rush Ranch has always stood behind their project. They have always been committed to building a much-needed wastewater treatment plant, an 18-hole golf course and parks. Contrary to Mr. Weatherly's claims, Gold Rush sponsors supported working with the city to fund a community park. Likewise, Gold Rush Ranch has always offered an array of housing styles designed for the budgets of Sutter Creek residents and they have always planned on making needed roadway improvements. Gold Rush objected to the Planning Commission's grading standards that would require it to be an expensive custom lot project where homes are built one at a time - this won't fit the pocketbooks of most Sutter Creek residents.

Most troubling, Mr. Weatherly's letter questioned the benefit of a new paid fire department simply because volunteers will continue to be used on top of the new paid personnel. Chief Butch Martin says the only financially feasible way to get a much-needed paid department is from land donations and funding from Gold Rush Ranch. The fact is that the project has worked with, and responded to, a need presented by our local Fire Chief, Butch Martin.

Both Chief Martin and Gold Rush Ranch should be proud of their unwavering commitments to make Sutter Creek safer. And Sutter Creek residents should be grateful for Chief Martin's work that will ensure improved public safety if Gold Rush Ranch is built.