Thirty-six years ago, I opened an antique shop in Amador City. Many times down through the years, I have been asked if certain items I had in my shop were for sale. These were usually valuable items that would be almost impossible to replace if I were to sell them. When I have said, "No, this particular item is not for sale," these persons have countered with, "Anything is for sale for a price," and they would usually pull out a big role of $100 bills, asking me to just name my price. These same people were absolutely perplexed when I would repeatedly turn them down. I would tell them that there are some things in this world that are not for sale at any price.
Some people might look upon my response as ridiculous and foolhardy, and think I should have taken the money. After all, this is why I am in business, right? Instead, when propositioned, I have always felt that my integrity was at stake, and that I refuse to allow others to buy me out.
This is how I feel about the Gold Rush Ranch project.
The integrity of the city of Sutter Creek is at stake. This lovely tiny jewel of a town, with its present day borders, is such a rare commodity. People write articles in magazines and papers throughout the land regarding the uniquity of Sutter Creek. Most towns and villages have been swallowed up by developers who have added subdivision after subdivision, connecting the towns until one doesn't know when they have left the city limits of one town and moved on into another town. We are so fortunate that this still hasn't happened to Sutter Creek. This is the reason the town of Sutter Creek is such a fascinating destination for people who want to come and visit and enjoy. And it is one of the reasons we who live in Sutter Creek can and should be proud of what we have.
But now we are at a most important crossroads. We are being seduced and offered such marvelous perks by a big developer who will go to any extreme to win over the people in the town. More importantly, the project planners want to entice the city government of our town as they try to make a final decision regarding "doubling the size of this small village." Gold Rush Ranch has gone to great lengths to be a seemingly good citizen and neighbor as it sponsors events, donates money and land for local projects, and makes all kinds of enticing promises if only their project is approved.
The ultimate goal for the developer is the approval of this vast Gold Rush Ranch project. Gold Rush stands to make billions off the eventual sale of all those houses. And where would that leave us the citizens of Sutter Creek? We would not only be left with all the expenses and problems that would face a town that has just doubled in size. We would also be left as just another sprawling suburban community that is too much like every other place across California. Our town would no longer be that unique destination that now draws tourism, which brings money to our community each and every day of the week.
Surely now is the time for each of us to have the integrity to stand up for our unique town, and say, "No, not everything is for sale, and some things cannot be bought for any price."