A few months ago I was at a media event in L.A. sponsored by TALKERS Magazine and hosted by members of the radio and press reporting community.

About 30 speakers shared their knowledge and the afternoon wrapped up with a panel discussion with about a dozen very opinionated radio personalities and the subject was: “The future of LA radio and the future of the city.”

Not before long it got political and there was bashing of the City Council and especially of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The irony was, he was standing in the back of the room and was the last speaker of the day and heard many of his pundits, yet he got up with a smile and shrugged it off.

It got me thinking about WHY in the world anyone would want to become mayor? As much as you try to please everyone, there are many you will not.

Closer to home I posed that question to incoming Laguna Niguel Mayor Paul Glaab, who will be doing this for the second time after serving just a few years ago in 2008.

I have known Paul for several years and he was the first politician that showed me that they can be real people and his genuineness was readily apparent from the first time we met. Paul’s background is more grounded in legislation and political office than many that come from more of a business background and many come to him for guidance and advice. The man cannot say no and usually ends up helping them.

“To me it’s about creating an impact”, he shared, “about making a difference.” He told the story of how he was able to help a paralyzed high school student get permitting for his home after his parents converted their bedroom into a recovery room. “They were running into challenges with permits so when I saw the situation I was able to help them get the permits done quickly. I could not have done that had I not been a city council member,” he concluded.

The “giving back” is often taken for granted or overstated, but Paul really does. He started the city’s effort to adopt the First Battalion, Fourth Marines at Camp Pendleton, and launched the successful ongoing effort to help the families of the Marine unit while the marines are oversees. Those are the kind of legacies we would all like to leave behind us.

Paul still runs a political consulting and PR business with his wife, Janice, Glaab and Associates and is always on the go. I kept going back to the concept of giving back and asked why couldn’t he do the same think operating with or for a nonprofit or charity? He candidly stated, “The city of Laguna Niguel is special and in most cities I would not do what I do and have done here. I’ve lived here a long time and want to do what I can to help the community.”

An honorable notion. He finished up by sharing that the city council has a lot to do with his commitment to the city and to the political process. With little infighting he says they get more done that most city councils, all the more reason to offer his blood, sweat and tears.

I wish him the best as he takes office.