Ashlee Dephillippo appointed to Wildomar City Council for District 5  in wake of Marsha Swanson retiring

Photo included. (L-R: Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Morabito, Council Member Ashlee Dephillippo,  Council Member (ret.) Marsha Swanson, Mayor Ben J. Benoit and Council Member Bridgette  Moore. Missing from photo: Council Member Dustin Nigg (present to Council Meeting via  Zoom). 

WILDOMAR, CA – Wildomar’s City Council voted 5-0 in a Special Meeting Wednesday at 6 pm to appoint resident Ashlee Dephillippo to represent District 5 in the wake of Council Member Marsha Swanson’s retirement. 

Marsha Swanson, who has been on Wildomar City Council since incorporation in 2008, submitted a letter of resignation on Thursday, February 10, 2022. The City held a Special Council Meeting on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, where it decided to appoint a new Council Member in  Swanson’s place.  

The Council formed an ad hoc committee, consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Morabito and Council Member Dustin Nigg. 

Two residents of Wildomar’s 5th District submitted applications: Ashlee Dephillippo and Gina Castanon and were interviewed in front of the City Council at tonight’s Special Meeting. After a brief introduction by both women, which included their history and involvement within the city,  the Council was able to ask questions. 

The main question, posed to both candidates by ad hoc committee member Mayor Pro Tem  Joseph Morabito was, “What do you feel are some of the key issues facing the city in the next 5- 10 years?” 

“One thing I can see really being an issue is our identity as a city as we have a lot of development going on,“ said Dephillippo. “Additionally, the conflicts between the small town, rural feel… and our mandate to continue to build and put high-density housing in. How do we maintain as much of that as possible while we still do the things we have to do as we reach our max buildout?”

“Ashlee is going to be a great addition to our Wildomar Council Team,” said Mayor Ben J.  Benoit. “We look forward to her insight as we move forward with so many great opportunities coming to Wildomar.” 

About the City of Wildomar: Wildomar is located along Interstate 15 in Southwest Riverside  County. Wildomar is a growing community with a population of just over 37,000, comfortably nestled in a valley bordered by a mountain range on the west and rolling hills to the east. For more information regarding the City of Wildomar, visit www.cityofwildomar.org

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