I want Gold Rush Ranch and Golf Resort to move forward without delay, just so I won't have to put up with the false statements and downright ugliness the no-growth group uses against the project.

I can understand and respect someone against Gold Rush if they flat out come out and say, "I don't want further growth in the area," or "I don't want a golf course." That would be refreshing, open and honest.

Instead, I get to deal with folks like Bart Weatherly and Ed Arata, or, as I like to call them, Little Napoleon and Chicken Little.

Their routine in an attempt to garner a seat on the Sutter Creek City Council for Little Napoleon and replace the Sutter Creek City Manager with Chicken Little, I have to admit, is entertaining, but only if Sutter Creek residents are catching on to the show, which admittedly worries me a bit.

I have never seen someone take a single issue, garner some attention, and then attempt to turn that limited attention into a political pathway or into a new job. But again, it's an impressive show.

One, dressed to the nines in suit and tie, going door to door, while the other makes sure he's noticed cleaning signs or shrubbery on Main Street along a 4-foot space for three hours, long enough for a photo op or to be seen by the majority of Sutter Creek.

Then there is the misinformation on Gold Rush. They claim the city's sewer plant and system are "in fine working order." This one I find odd, since a recent sewage pipe that burst was located on the very street where both of these gentlemen live. I imagine it probably burst while they were pounding a "Say No to Gold Rush" sign into their yard.

No, I think the Sutter Creek sewer system and infrastructure needs quite a bit of work.

Gold Rush is the best way to ensure that Sutter Creek residents aren't left paying for the needed repairs and upgrades. The project will build a new, state-mandated wastewater treatment facility that local ratepayers would otherwise be forced to fund and build.

The project also includes large donations for schools and public emergency safety services. In fact, school and fire experts have already weighed in, saying that Gold Rush will give us a better school.

The donations and amenities from Gold Rush Ranch are the result of years of collaboration with school and safety leaders, city officials, business leaders and the public.

We wanted more open space, safer neighborhoods, a new wastewater facility, new businesses, new jobs, more recreation and the public emergency safety services already mentioned - and Gold Rush answered by developing a project that meets the very needs that we, as a community, asked for.

The idea of a further delay due to a referendum stinks about as bad as the broken sewage lines Sutter Creek will ultimately face if Gold Rush doesn't move forward without further delay.

And anyone coming to your door saying, "We only want a vote," is really as full as those pipes that just burst.

I'd suggest a polite, "thanks, but no thanks" with regards to petitions. We already had our vote on what we wanted and the plan fits.