Yuba-Sutter officials aren't 'laying down'

Marysville Mayor Ricky Samayoa said there is a new enthusiasm in his city, and Yuba City Mayor John Buckland noted new city projects at Friday's annual Chamber of Commerce State of the Cities event.

Samayoa and Buckland were joined by Wheatland Mayor Rick West and Live Oak Vice-Mayor Ray Rogers in portraying positive futures for their cities amid an improving economy.

"There is no shame in being down, only in laying down," said Samayoa, in touting the city's new Bounce Back initiative designed to improve Marysville's economic viability.

"For the first time in a long time, Marysville residents are telling me they have positive hopes for the future," he said.

The city's 11⁄2-year Bounce Back initiative is designed to make Marysville more attractive to developers while fostering a spirit of community volunteerism to beautify the city. Samayoa said part of the plan is to "capitalize on our compact size to become a walkable community."

"What we need to do is get land compatible to being an attractive place to do business," Samayoa said.

Buckland outlined a laundry list of future and ongoing projects ranging from needed improvements at the city's wastewater treatment plant to construction of a new animal shelter to next month's expected grand opening of the Willow Island recreational park.

He also noted planning is under way to replace the two-lane Fifth Street Bridge, which has had only minor improvements since it washed out in the 1955 flood. Plans call for a future four-lane bridge to improve access to an expanding Rideout Memorial Hospital, Marysville and Beale Air Force Base.

"Right now, the Fifth Street Bridge is obsolete," Buckland said.

West said Wheatland is gearing up for anticipated growth in subdivisions just outside the city, noting construction on one project could start as early as this fall.

"We are a little secret at the bottom end of Yuba County, but we won't be a secret for long once development comes in," West said.

Rogers noted a series of Live Oak projects including park renovations, a new wastewater treatment plant and water main renovations. He said the city is focused on trying to reduce $51.8 million of "sales leakage" lost to neighboring communities by fostering economic development.

"We are trying to change the image of Live Oak to being more than what most people think is there," Rogers said.

CONTACT Eric Vodden at 749-4769 or evodden@appealdemocrat.com.