"It's a whirlwind, but I thrive on it": the mayor of Pégomas looks ahead to 2026

That same morning, she had already been seen at the fire in the Mimosas area, where she had spent many hours with the victims and firefighters. Florence Simon was often at the fire and at the mill.

When she's not at City Hall, working hard on her projects, she's a hyperactive woman who takes responsibility for herself and intends to put this unbridled dynamism to good use for her community in 2026 for a new term.

As former deputy for culture under Gilbert Pibou, how have you felt as mayor since 2020?

I didn't feel the need to be in charge because I've always been a business leader, used to managing. But when the former mayor wanted me to take over, I thought about it and then I threw myself into it wholeheartedly , with my guts and my soul. We don't realize how much we are caught up in the role, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. It's a whirlwind that never stops, but you have to embrace the movement, and if you're not strong enough, you crack. I thrive on it; it fits my personality because I've always been hyperactive, always on the front lines. And my commitment as mayor meets this almost physiological need.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I'm proud that we've met 100% of our commitments and even more, despite a mandate that began during the Covid period. I also know that a single mandate is not enough to complete a long-term project, but we nevertheless completed the Pallida hall project, which is the pride of the people of Pégomas.

You've introduced mayoral breakfasts one Saturday a month. Is this real democracy?

Before being elected, I always told myself that a mayor shouldn't lock themselves away in an ivory tower and stay in touch with the population. But my schedule requires me to be in meetings or offices often. These breakfasts allow people to come to me during their free time and showcase local businesses. It's easier than having a formal meeting at the town hall, even though I chose to suspend them before the election campaign.

With a tight budget, is your motto to cut down on waste?

It's about optimizing everything, including our services. The municipal lighting that turns off at 1 a.m. in summer and 11 p.m. in winter responds to an economic necessity but also to respect biodiversity since animal species have reappeared during the hours when the lights are switched off. Paradoxically, there are fewer accidents and burglaries. We are paying attention to all our expenses, we have changed our boilers, our windows, we are going to switch to photovoltaic systems in schools and we are ensuring that two people do not do the same job in our services, while reorganizing in case of illness.

What philosophy guides the current modification of the Local Urban Planning Plan (PLU)?

It's about protecting residents and perpetuating existing housing. We're at the crossroads of flood and forest fire risks, yet we've already built a lot on the hills or on the banks of the Siagne and Mourachonne rivers. We're not going to sacrifice these people, but we're going to make things safer so as not to aggravate the situation. We're therefore going to align the PLU with the risk prevention plans. There are homeowners who will undoubtedly be frustrated, but some buildable areas in the PLU are already impossible to build on because of the PPRs. And the ZAN (Zero Net Artificialization) law requires us to close certain land to construction in order to preserve the territory.

With a natural park on the old quarry?

The idea is to create a 100% natural, preserved park there, which will flood in the event of high water levels, but which can be transformed into a leisure area when there is no risk. A place for walking, sports, a cool space... We are in discussions with the owners and we need to carry out a soil study to determine what can be put there. But this will be the major project of a new mandate.

With the population growth, is there no risk of becoming a dormitory town, a suburb of Cannes?

I haven't set any targets for the number of residents. We could reach 10,000 (more than 8,000 today), but that would be at the expense of good management. We will authorize construction on a case-by-case basis, respecting areas at risk and to be preserved, but also respecting a family, village spirit. Pégomas exists as such and is not a suburb. We are trying to impose the services we need and social diversity in all new construction.

Opponents have joined your majority. Are you confident about a new candidacy?

I never do this before the end of an election, but these rallies prove that our team has done a good job. I want to continue because I feel I can still contribute to Pégomas, with a list that will be little renewed, even if a few places become available.

In the Eric Ciotti-Michèle Tabarot war, is your position uncomfortable?

It's sometimes complicated, but I remain myself, loyal and grateful to all those who have helped me. I have a lot of friendship for my MP Michèle Tabarot and for her brother, the Minister who is working against the aerial overflight of our town; I continue to work with them. In the department, Éric Ciotti supported me on the financing of Pallida and he has always been there for us. His political choices are his own, but I am grateful to the man. For my part, I remain a registered LR, rather right-wing.