City Council Candidate Spotlight: Maria Elena Garcia

Posted: 6:54 am, August 30, 2018 by Reporter Cassandra Frey

-Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of candidate spotlights for all candidates running for Paso Robles City Council.

‘Setting the example for youth to follow’

—Maria Elena Garcia is making a bid for Paso Robles City Council in the upcoming November election. She is deeply involved in the city of Paso Robles, and says that with her help, the city can be a safer place, and the issues which need attention will be fully addressed.

Garcia hails from a small town in Texas and was born in Vermont. As a baby, her father was paralyzed in a car accident, and she grew up with a strong mother, working as a nurse who needed her help to care for and raise a family of seven. Garcia grew up working very hard, starting at age eight. As a pre-teen, she worked in the cotton fields and was the only one who spoke English. She helped to find work for the whole family and saved all of her money to buy school clothes and supplies.

Upon entering high school, Garcia wanted to branch out, but her father was strict, and his rules were that unless it was school related, she couldn’t leave the house. Because of these restrictions, Garcia joined every possible club in high school that she could, from key club- to cheerleading in hopes to experience the full spectrum of life in a small town she describes like San Miguel, with no malls or shopping.

After graduating high school, moving away, and getting married in Houston, she got into the healthcare field. Her interest in the pharmaceutical industry came from running the register, taking courses, and working at the local hospitals. Garica has been a pharmacy technician for the last 25 years, and interacts with and knows a large number of citizens, which often ask her for advice on a daily basis, from health to home and family.

Garcia says she sees herself as setting an example and loves to find others with the same passion for the community, opening up and breaking barriers, and sharing their gifts to give back. For the last 22 years, Garcia has been a Mary Kay consultant, with customers all over the US, and she is parish manager of the San Miguel mission. Eight years ago, Garcia and three others started the Hispanic Business Association and the networking and resources have grown into an even bigger resource, the nonprofit, Hispanic Community Foundation which raises money for scholarships and funds cultural enrichment for the families of Paso Robles and surrounding areas. Garcia is Vice President of the Hispanic Business Association and serves on the Paso Robles Library board of trustees.

Her interest in running for Paso Robles City Council came after her regular attendance, for the past two years. “I heard that two positions opened up in city council, and thought it was the perfect opportunity to do what I am passionate about, helping others.” Joining the council, she says, is the natural progression.

“I have a different view, as a woman, and have learned a lot as a single mother. I know the struggles to find affordable housing, jobs, and resources. All of the experiences in my life as a minority, and being part of the working class, make me want to give back even further,” she said.

Garcia says she wants to act as a liaison between the city and community to help support public safety, ensuring officers have enough equipment and resources to keep them safe. Her interest in public safety, economic development, and building businesses coincide with what she does already. Garica hopes that by setting out to help on a larger scale, she can learn more, get behind the scenes, and made a bigger impact on the city she loves.