Write-in candidate seeks votes for Lake Havasu City Mayor
As firefighter and paramedic for 30 years, John Grapentin believes he’s the right mayoral candidate to lead Lake Havasu City forward and make it a great place to live.
“I’m running for mayor because I love this community and believe Lake Havasu deserves strong, full-time leadership,” Grapentin said. “After 30 years as a firefighter (and) paramedic, I’ve spent my career solving problems, working with people, and making difficult decisions under pressure. I want to use that experience to help move our city forward while protecting the quality of life that makes Havasu such a great place to live,” Grapentin said.
One way to make it a great place to live, he stated, is by protecting the city’s water supply from arsenic and manganese found in the water by the Mohave County Board of Health last year.
“Clean, safe drinking water isn’t optional – it’s one of the city’s most important responsibilities,” Write-in candidate for Mayor Grapentin said. “I’ll make sure we continue investing in our water treatment systems, replace aging infrastructure when needed, and keep residents informed every step of the way. I’ll also pursue state and federal grants whenever possible so we can improve our water system without placing unnecessary costs on taxpayers.”
“Another way Grapentin, as mayor, would help make Havasu a great place to live is by protecting the Lake from harmful algal blooms as discovered by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) in December 2024.
“Our lake is the heart of our community, and protecting it has to be a priority,” Grapentin stated. “(As Mayor) I’ll support stronger water-quality monitoring, better stormwater management, and efforts to reduce pollutants that contribute to harmful algal blooms. I’ll also work with state and federal agencies to develop long-term solutions because protecting our lake protects our health, our recreation, our local economy.”
Economically, Grapentin feels he’s the right candidate for moving Lake Havasu forward and knows how to do just that.
“By focusing on the basics first – maintaining our roads, investing in infrastructure, supporting our police, firefighters, and public works employees, and making city government more transparent,” he said. “At the same time, we need to attract quality jobs, improve healthcare access, and create opportunities that encourage young families and skilled professionals to make Lake Havasu their home.”
However, Write-in Mayoral Candidate John Grapentin does have a few concerns for the city.
“My biggest concerns are our aging infrastructure, road maintenance, public safety staffing, workforce housing, and access to healthcare,” Grapentin stated. “We also need to improve transparency and communication so residents know what’s happening and feel like their voices matter before decisions are made. I want to focus on practical solutions that make a real difference in people’s daily lives.”
That being said, what does the write-in mayoral candidate see as the future of Lake Havasu City?
“I see a city that continues to grow the right way – without losing the character that makes Lake Havasu special. I want us to be known as a community that’s safe, financially responsible, family-friendly, and attractive to businesses, while protecting our shoreline, water resources, and quality of life for future generations,” said Grapentin.
When asked why residents should vote for him as the city’s mayor, he replied, “I’ve spent 30 years serving others as a firefighter (and) paramedic, where every day was about protecting lives, solving problems, and being accountable to the public. I’ll bring that same commitment, integrity and work ethic to City Hall and work every day to keep Lake Havasu a city we’re proud to call home.”
Connie “Ceejay” Jones
