LAKEPORT, Calif. – Ted Mandrones, former mayor of Lakeport and current president of Lake County Chamber of Commerce, announced he is running for District 4 supervisor.

Mandrones joins a field that so far includes Lakeport City Councilman Martin Scheel and Lakeport Unified School District Board member Tina Scott, both of whom have formally announced their campaigns.

The District 4 seat currently is held but Anthony Farrington, who said he will not seek reelection.

Mandrones has many years of public service within Lake County and said he is deeply concerned about the issues affecting the community, residents and environment.

He has a long history of community involvement and has volunteered on a multitude of projects, participated in fundraisers for various local organizations and has been a staunch supporter of local business.

“Because of my many years of service to the city of Lakeport as mayor, city council member and planning commissioner, I am frequently approached by county residents requesting my input for solutions for issues concerning lake health, public safety, infrastructure, senior citizen services, agricultural concerns and the health of our local economy,” Mandrones said. “I have a wealth of knowledge and experience from managing multi-million dollar budgets, actively participating in local government, and promoting local business.”

Mandrones said he is passionate about community service in Lake County and has a vested interest in maintaining the quality of life here.

He said he genuinely cares about the seniors, the environment and local businesses, and wants to save the lake and bring Lake County much-needed jobs through tourism and rebuilding infrastructure.

During his term on the Lakeport City Council, Mandrones was instrumental in voting to change the water rates for low-income senior citizens living in subsidized housing.

After speaking to many residents by going door to door, holding public forums and researching the rate structure he found that the water rates were not equitable for all users. It took a year of his diligence to keep it on the agenda until a new rate structure was formulated by a consulting firm that made the rates more equitable based on usage and not simply on residency.

“Currently, as president of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, I work very closely with the business community,” Mandrones said. “Businesses were especially hard hit by the recent recession and many struggle with the state rules and regulations that make doing business difficult at best.”

Mandrones has been in the chamber for many years as a member, board member and now president. He has actively talked to local business owners to help understand their needs and concerns to survive in a difficult economy thereby making him a more effective leader for the Chamber of Commerce.

A resident of Lake County since 1983, Mandrones worked as a merchandising manager for Piedmont Lumber from 1983 to 2010, managing millions of dollars’ worth of inventory, working with vendors, managing employees, setting up budgets and negotiating prices. He was hired as co-manager at Mendo Mill and Lumber until his retirement.

During his employment with these local companies he networked with government officials, the media, state agencies and nonprofits. Mandrones was instrumental in donating hundreds of thousands of dollar in merchandise, money and services to local nonprofits, schools, civic organizations and individuals through these companies.

He has volunteered with the chamber, United Way, Relay for Life, the Miss Lake County Pageant, the Lake County Fair, the Save the Lake Committee and, mostly recently, has been the donation management coordinator for Lake County fire relief efforts.

In addition to his time terms on the Lakeport City Council and Lakeport Planning Commission, Mandrones has served on the city's Traffic Advisory Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission. He also served as a board member of the Red Cross for two years.

He was a business owner in the 1980s, as well as a public safety officer and an inventory production manager for Skookum manufacturing for 12 years prior to moving to Lake County in 1983.

In his early adult years Mandrones served with the U.S. Marine Corps Active Reserves and left the corps after nine years as a sergeant.

Mandrones is the father of two adult children and has three grandchildren.

He's received endorsements from community members John Tanti, Debbie White, Gail Strong and Arlene Hanlon.