Anthony “Tony” Mantello is running for the Shawangunk Town Board as a Democrat and as a member of the Working Families Party.

He got the Democratic Party’s nod for the Town Board at last month’s caucus.

Mantello will be joined on the ballot in the November election for two Town Board seats by Democratic candidate Adrienne Gelfand-Perine and Republican incumbent Brian Amthor and former Town of Shawangunk Highway Superintendent Joseph LoCicero, who is also running as a Republican.

The two seats have four-year terms.

Mantello said growing up Catholic, helping others and civic duty were a big part of his upbringing. He said he and his family have volunteered throughout the years in a variety of organizations – both civic and faith-based.

Mantello, 50, is a graduate of SUNY Brockport where he earned his bachelor’s degree in communications and theater design and technology.

After college, Mantello worked as a stage manager at various theaters and obtained his Actors Equity union card. As an Actors Equity Association stage manager, he was the liaison between management and labor and organized the production staff into a cohesive unit.

Mantello moved to the Hudson Valley with his wife in 2009, fell in love with the area and chose to raise his family here.

Mantello switched careers and obtained his associate degree in massage therapy and a master’s degree in traditional Chinese medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. He has been a practicing massage therapist for nearly 10 years and has worked as an adjunct professor for nearly five years.

As a licensed massage therapist, Mantello worked with professional athletes as a member of their medical and health team to create coordinated treatment plans to help players recover from a variety of injuries and increase their athletic performance.

Mantello said his commitment to civic duty and helping others is why he decided to run for the Town Board.

“Our sidewalks are in disrepair, and our roads have more holes in them than Swiss cheese,” he said. “The young adults that grew up in our town have to move away because it is too expensive to live here and there are not many career opportunities, let along job options.”

The focus of Mantello’s campaign is improving basic infrastructure and building careers.

“Many of those in the Town of Shawangunk pay a ‘sidewalk’ tax,” Mantello said. “If you are a student walking to the high school, you are probably wondering what that money is being used for.”

Mantello said he is talking with local entrepreneurs in an effort to attract new businesses to the town.

“Businesses that people can grow into long-term careers,” he said.

Mantello said during the last election, there was a lot of talk about not wanting one-party control in New York.

“That is what this town has had for many years,” he said.

If elected, Mantello said he will listen to all his constituents, no matter which party they support or who they voted for.

“A good idea is a good idea, no matter who presents it,” he said. “Let’s work together towards a stronger future for Shawangunk and our families.”