BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIRMAN KEVIN CANN (LEFT) GOT INTO THE SPIRIT OF THINGS WHEN HE OFFICIALLY DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF ALINDA FRANKLIN BY PRESENTING A PROCLAMATION TO BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL COMMITTEE MEMBER DELL KNELL. GAZETTE PHOTO BY JILL BALLINGER The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors officially dedicated the 2010 Butterfly Festival to the memory of Alinda Franklin on Tuesday. The proclamation came as one of five recognizing various community efforts.

Franklin, who was an instrumental member of the Butterfly Festival committee for four years before her death, was honored for her creative contributions to the event. Supervisor Janet Bibby said Franklin was “a wonderful individual who really brought the community together.”

Festival organizer Dell Knell explained the importance of Franklin’s input. “She pulled together everything. She was a fabulous person,” she said. Because of her tireless work, Knell said this year’s festival “will be the biggest and best we’ve ever had, all in honor of Alinda.”

The board also proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Mountain Crisis Services Executive Director Jeanmarie Caris McManus said awareness is key to reducing the incidence of sexual assault. “When the community is aware, it makes a huge difference,” she said.

Cheryl Bhalla, Mariposa Safe Families director, accepted the proclamation that April is also Child Abuse Prevention Month. She told the board that over 400 people participated in the Safe at Home event earlier this month.

April is also Alcohol Awareness Month, and, as such, the board made that proclamation, too. Jim Tucker, chairman of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Council, said the proclamation helps in his board’s “on-going struggle to combat problems that alcohol creates in the community.” Tucker said all the agencies recognized on Tuesday are working to “help make Mariposa County a safer and more enjoyable place to live and work.”

Finally, the board recognized April as Clubs and Service Organizations Appreciation Month. The proclamation was made in recognition of the valuable and multitude of services that clubs and service organizations provide to the community.

Bibby noted their contributions. “Many volunteers wear many, many hats,” she said. “Without your help, this community wouldn’t be what it is today.”

Chairman Kevin Cann said service organizations are the glue of the county. “Their work really does bind this community together.”