CHAIRMAN KEVIN CANN The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors met for the first time in 2010 on Tuesday morning, and collectively announced anticipation of the work it will be doing in

2010. It also elected its leadership for the new year.

Before it got down to business, the board unanimously elected District 4 Supervisor Kevin Cann as its chairman and District 5 Supervisor Jim Allen as the vice chairman. The board also recognized outgoing chairman Brad Aborn for his year of service.

Cann said he will “approach the job very seriously and with all the professionalism I can muster.” He added, however, “There is no prohibition to us enjoying this.”

The board’s newest leader recognized the battles the state may wage on counties in terms of budget constraints. “We are going to have substantial challenges in the coming year,” Cann said. “Our predecessors have got this County in a very stable financial position. There are very few counties that are as prepared to deal with what the state throws at us.”

OUTGOING BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIRMAN BRAD ABORN ACCEPTED HIS GAVEL PLAQUE FROM THE BOARD AT TUESDAY’S MEETING. THE BOARD ELECTED DISTRICT 4 SUPERVISOR KEVIN CANN AS ITS NEW CHAIRMAN AND DISTRICT 5 SUPERVISOR JIM ALLEN AS VICE CHAIRMAN FOR 2010. GAZETTE PHOTO BY JILL BALLINGER District 2 Supervisor Lyle Turpin said the board is ready to get to work. “Here we are in a new year,” he said. “It’s time to roll up our sleeves. There are a lot of good things ahead of us. We’ve got to keep government efficient and accountable.”

Joining the board in welcoming new leadership is the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce. Outgoing President Marianna Huff introduced the organization’s new leader, Lester Bridges, to the board. Bridges, who is semi-retired from Napa Auto Parts, said he is up to the challenge, having been in Mariposa business since 1968. “I’ve seen a lot of changes in Mariposa,” he said. “Mariposa has a lot of potential.”

Finally, the board got a few words from State Senator Jeff Denham, who is running to fill the congressional seat held for the past 15 years by George Radanovich. Denham said that prior to being in the state senate, he served 16 years in the US Air Force, in Operation Desert Storm and in Somalia. He has also worked as an almond farmer and in his own plastics business.

Denham said that while he didn’t expect Radanovich to ask him to run for the seat, it is a challenge he and his family are up to. He told the board he is committed. “You will see me often. I take my job very seriously.”