MARYSVILLE – Marysville University reopens this fall offering a one-night civics class designed to engage curious citizens and students about local government and timely issues of importance to the Marysville community.

Citizens – and students – are invited to participate in this free fall class aimed at giving attendees a unique perspective on how Marysville city government works for them, and a department-by-department overview of the services and programs that the city offers. You’re sure to learn something you didn’t know about your city, officials say.

The class will meet 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14 in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor in City Hall, 1049 State Ave.

Mayor Jon Nehring is reinstituting Marysville U, which last met seven years ago. He says these popular classes present an ideal forum for citizens to learn firsthand about their government and to exchange ideas about how they can participate to make it better.

“MU provides an informal classroom-style forum that brings people from the community together to gain a better understanding of how their local government functions, inspires them to become part of the solution-seeking process, and informs them about City programs, services and projects,” Nehring said.

Speakers will include the Mayor, Municipal Court Judge Fred Gillings, Chief Administrative Officer Gloria Hirashima, Public Works Director Kevin Nielsen, Police Chief Rick Smith, Finance Director Sandy Langdon, Fire District Chief Greg Corn and Parks and Recreation Director Jim Ballew.

Free refreshments will be available. Classes are videotaped, and will be shown on Marysville Cable Access TV 21 (Comcast) and TV 25 (Frontier) at dates to be announced later.

Please contact Community Information Officer Doug Buell at 360-363-8086 to reserve your seat the week prior to class, or e-mail dbuell@marysvillewa.gov>