BRAD ABORN Mariposa County District 1 Supervisor Brad Aborn has announced his intention to maintain that seat in the upcoming election. “I have accomplished a lot in my three years in office, and there is much yet to do.”

Aborn said there was a lot of turmoil on the board and in county government four years ago. “Many citizens of Mariposa County were frustrated and fed up with the board squandering taxpayers’ money.” The supervisor cited the “ill-conceived composting facility” and the “practically useless” property purchased for the “Field of Dreams.” Both of which he said resulted in Grand Jury investigations.

“To top it off, the board’s refusal to negotiate salaries for the sher- iff’s department resulted in the loss of 12 of our fine deputies,” Aborn continued. He said after talking with a number of concerned citizens, he decided that he wanted to be part of the solution. “I was elected, thanks to the many of you who took a chance on someone new to politics and supported me at that time.”

Aborn said he listed a number of things in his first campaign letter that he wanted to accomplish as a supervisor. “I am happy to say that I have been successful in achieving most of my goals,” he said. Aborn noted helping to reach a satisfactory conclusion to the sheriff’s department negotiations. “And we have even managed to get most of the deputies that left back,” Aborn said.

Staffing concerns have been addressed, morale is up, and in spite of the economy, the county budget is in far better shape than most of the rest of the state, according to Aborn. “We have done work on a number of the roads and are seeking funding for more road work,” Aborn noted, adding that he has played a “major role” in helping acquire the new fire equipment and funding for three new fire stations. “I am working diligently to set aside funds for the future so that we will have money available when the time comes to once again purchase replacement fire equipment,” he said.

The incumbent says he was “instrumental” in getting Mariposa County on the San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee. “I have been heavily involved with high speed rail. I serve on the YARTS board, and I am serving on the ad hoc committee for the reorganization of the Mariposa Airport,” Aborn said. He has participated in the gateway community meetings.

“We have certainly seen a closer relationship between Yosemite National Park and Mariposa County,” Aborn added. He says he has enjoyed working with the planning committee for El Portal, Midpines and Yosemite West. He also says he was on the “front lines” in the successful fight against AB-885 which would have required costly inspections of wells and septic systems. He said the board is currently working to improve the Williamson Act and draft a clear definition of agri-tourism.

Before he took office, Aborn said he attended a lot of board meetings. “Along with other members of the audience, I was dismayed at how the public was treated by past members of the board,” Aborn said. “They were often ignored and input was not welcome. It was my honor to serve as the chairman last year, and I made it a point to continue to improve the atmosphere at board meetings to be not only more business like, but also to be friendlier and to seek out and welcome public input.”

Aborn encourages people to take part in the process and called his colleagues “truly outstanding individuals.” He said the public recognizes that, too. “Many long-time attendants of board meetings have remarked that this is the best board of supervisors we have had in years.”