Simone Alex transitions from newcomer to Fillmore council member
Simone Alex wants to bridge the gap between old and new Fillmore.
The councilwoman, who moved to the city less than a year ago, lives in a newer community called the Bridges on the south side of town.
"I still want to be a voice for this new community and the Bridges but also a voice for the whole of my constituents. That is the whole of Fillmore," Alex said.
Alex, 47, was sworn in on Nov. 9 to the Fillmore City Council. Councilmembers selected her to fill the seat after former councilwoman Ari Larson died unexpectedly on Sept. 17. Alex's term will end in November.
Alex will have to run for the 2022 election to remain on the council but she hasn't decided whether to enter the race.
"I want to be someone who rolls up my sleeves and gets to work and doesn't worry if I'm going to be elected again. ... I just want to do the work to succeed," Alex said. "When the time comes to make the announcement, people will know."
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Alex said if she runs in November, it would be for her current seat, which will expire again in 2024. Under state law, the City Council could only appoint a replacement through November.
"I like being on my toes, and I like the energy of having one year and putting my energy into one year, she said. "And then if it is so, I will put my energy fully into the next two years."
The producer, actor and writer who has worked in television and film for about 25 years decided to move to Fillmore after a visit. It reminded her of State College, Pennsylvania, where she was born and raised, she said.
"I grew up in a small town like Fillmore, and when I visited for the first time, it felt like a slice of home," Alex said.
The former Los Angeles resident said it was becoming more difficult to live there with an increase in crime and homelessness.
"My husband and I wanted to get away from that to a small town where everyone knows everyone. We trust our neighbors, the air is fresh and clean, the crime is low and we can find parking anywhere," Alex said.
Alex said she was a motivational speaker in her 20s and 30s and told her life story to teenage girls and mothers about overcoming trauma from a sexual assault, depression and self-destructive behavior.
"I call it motivational because you're sharing your story but you're ending the story with hope," Alex said. "There's possibility. You can get through this. You can get past these trials and grow up to be a city council member. You can grow up to be anything you want. You don't have to stay stuck in this rut for the rest of your life."
She has starred in commercials for Sparkle paper towels, Pechanga Casino and other products and businesses, which can be seen on her website. She is married with two stepsons.
Alex has been getting to know nearby neighbors as well as residents in other areas and going to events to learn as much as she can about her new city.
"Technically I have been on City Council ... for two months and about a week," she said. "So I'm trying to cram everything into that time over Christmas and Thanksgiving, and there is so much more for me to do now that it's January."
City Manager David Rowlands said Alex has adapted very well since joining the Council, which meet every week in person or on the phone going over agendas or historical issues.
Alex said she enjoys working with the Council to solve problems. When Southern California Edison shut down power in some areas of the city on Thanksgiving, some residents didn't know why, she said. While her home had power, a nearby mobile home park did not for about three days.
The council asked an Edison representative to give an explanation.
"Eventually, Edison will come in and be asked to explain why the power was turned off in different areas of the city," Alex said.
Fillmore Association of Businesses President Renee Swenson said Alex wants to honor Fillmore's history and bring in a fresh perspective. Swenson said Alex understands there are families who have lived in town for several generations and others who have recently moved into the city.
"She's coming from outside of Fillmore, and it is a delicate tightrope," Swenson said.
She will wait for the conclusion of Alex's term to make a decision to support her for another term.
"If she continues in the level of what she's done so far, I would say yes for sure," Swenson said.
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Simone Alex transitions from newcomer to Fillmore council member
