Rich Gabel, Chairman of the Board

I lived my first 32 years in and around Fresno. I liked it; after all it was home. We had theaters, shopping malls, a zoo, a museum, plenty of recreational opportunities, a fine school system, effective law enforcement, good infrastructure... it seemed like a utopian place to live. It took moving to Yuba-Sutter to realize what was missing there, and what we have in abundance here... i.e. a vivacious and cohesive community spirit that makes "Yuba-Sutter a Great Place to Live, Work and Play."

An outsider looking in would laugh if told that a few hundred of our community's finest gathered each year for an "Evening at the Dump", but that event is among many fun ones that make for this strong spirit. There are opportunities just about every weekend for our social, recreational, artistic, and philanthropic enjoyment. Some, not all, events include the Polar Bear Plunge, The Bok Kai Festival, Spring Home and Garden Show, Yuba City Rotary's annual Crab Feed, Bike Around the Buttes, Cinco de Mayo, Hot Rod Jamboree, Yuba City Racquet Club Challenger, Wild Hog Glory Daze, Punjabi American Heritage Festival, Yuba City Summer Stroll, Marysville Stampede, Italian Night, Yuba-Sutter Air Expo, Yuba-Sutter Fair, Kiwanis Fishing Derby, Peach Festival, Cultural Celebration, Brews, Blues and BBQ, Sikh Festival and Parade, Veterans Day Parade, Way Way Way Off Broadway, Marysville Christmas Parade, Christmas Stroll ... and many, many more.

I trust you'll agree that one can always find something to do right here in the Yuba-Sutter area. It's always fun, always entertaining, it often includes a charitable purpose, and it's always good for the soul.

Call it American Pie, call it Americana, call it what you like, but it's all pretty good stuff.

We are Yuba-Sutter, and indeed, "We are Very Lucky."

I conclude this year as Chairman of the Board of the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce with a huge debt of gratitude to our Ambassadors, our Board of Directors, our energetic volunteers (especially All-Star Jill Dettmer) and a highly professional, effective and loyal Chamber staff. A little coaching here and there from the sidelines is about all this Chairman has done, and that probably wasn't necessary. For that "I feel Very Lucky."

You have a very capable, highly talented, greatly motivated Dave Vaughn from Yuba-Sutter Disposal, Inc. as your Chairman of the Board coming in. You're in good, make that great, hands.

Members of the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce, I sincerely thank you for allowing me this opportunity to be of service. I wish you now and always an abundance of Peace, Love and Prosperity!