Meet Mary Paningsoro
Neighbor. Mom. Grandma. Volunteer. Community Advocate.
Long before I thought seriously about City Council, I was simply Mary.
The mom helping with a classroom or talent show.
The team parent keeping everyone organized.
The volunteer helping with a community event.
The friend calling to check on someone who wasn't doing well.
And now, one of my favorite roles of all: Grandma.
My husband, Michael, and I raised our three children in La Palma, and family remains at the center of my life. We spend time with our grandchildren whenever we can, our two sons remain nearby, and I'll happily jump on a plane whenever I get the chance to visit our daughter out of state.
I also love music, dancing, performances and the events that give people an excuse to come together and enjoy their community.
Those may seem like small things, but I believe they're part of what makes a city feel like home.
Because ultimately, government isn't just about streets, budgets and buildings.
It's about people.
Why I'm Running
Serving on City Council isn't the beginning of my service to La Palma. It's the next chapter.
I've thought about running for City Council for many years, but I always believed I should do it when I could truly give the position the time and energy it deserves.
For many years, my focus was raising my children, taking care of an ill mother on hospice, working and volunteering wherever I could be useful. Four years ago, I considered running, but with my first grandchild arriving and my family needing my help, the timing wasn't right.
Today, my children are grown, I am mostly retired, and I've spent the last several years becoming even more involved with the city through La Palma's Community Activities and Beautification Committee.
Now feels like the right time to take everything I've learned from more than three decades in this community and serve La Palma in a new way.
I'm not running because I believe La Palma is broken.
I'm running because I believe what we have is worth taking care of.
A LIFETIME OF SHOWING UP.
A LIFETIME OF SHOWING UP.
My commitment didn't begin with a campaign.
Soon after moving to La Palma, I began volunteering in my children's schools. What started with helping teachers and classrooms grew into years of service through PTA and PTSO, talent shows, hospitality, youth sports, boosters, choir activities, team parent responsibilities and school events.
After my daughter participated in the Miss La Palma program, I spent several years volunteering with the pageant committee because I wanted other young people to have the same positive experience she had.
Additionally, I began substitute work with the local elementary school district, serving in clerical, health office, playground and other support roles throughout the district.
Today, I serve on La Palma's Community Activities and Beautification Committee. I've helped support many of the programs and traditions that bring our community together, including Festival of Nations, Arbor Day, Memorial Day, Concerts in the Park and Symphony in the Park.
I also completed the City of La Palma's five-week Citizens Academy, which is open to all residents to learn how the city works, meet local leaders and build civic engagement.
The roles have changed over the years.
The reason for showing up hasn't.
I care about this community and the people who call it home.