Marysville forum: Jobs outlook bleak in Yuba-Sutter

It is no secret the Yuba-Sutter job market is — at best — sluggish.Just ask Marysville's Dave Fleming."I haven't been working since I was laid off six months ago," Fleming said. "It is what it is in this economy — it's really tough times."Fleming, 39, was one of more than 50 people looking for answers and maybe some hope at a community meeting on Saturday in Marysville addressing jobs and economic growth in Yuba-Sutter.The event was hosted at the Arts Council Auditorium on E Street and was sponsored by the Yuba-Sutter Democratic Club, Rebuild the Dream Yuba-Sutter and Crossing Borders, Building Bridges.Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, was the event's keynote speaker."All the elements are here (in Yuba-Sutter) for good economic growth," Garamendi said. "We need to support our small businesses and career and job training centers to help build a solid middle class and reignite the American Dream."Other economic issues were addressed during a brief six-person panel discussion moderated by Marysville Vice Mayor Christina Billeci.Billeci was credited with organizing Saturday's forum and panel discussion."You hear a lot about the national and state economies, and we thought it would be good to compare our economy with those, but also to address bringing jobs her to expand the economy," she said.Long-term strategies were briefly discussed. Many speakers expressed optimism about the future of the local financial picture.