Orange Beach, Ala. – (GSN) – After a contentious week in Orange Beach politics, the waters seem to be calming. An empty council seat has been filled and the new member is ready to tackle the work of the city.

The new Place 3 City Council member Pat Simpson was sworn into office this week by the Honorable Michael A. Dasinger, Orange Beach Municipal Judge. Simpson was accompanied by his wife Claudia and son Hunter.

Simpson was appointed by the City Council during Tuesday's meeting to fill the vacancy left by Jerry Johnson, who stepped down for family reasons.

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Prior to his appointment, Simpson served on the Orange Beach Planning Commission since 2017, most recently as Vice Chairman.

For most of his career, Simpson was a TV personality who hosted the national home improvement series, "Backyard America," on TNN. In 1994, he hosted one of the first series on HGTV, “Fix-It-Up!” After retiring from television, Simpson founded Simpson Properties Group in Orange Beach with his wife in 2006.

They have three children, Lindsey, Shelby and Hunter, and four grandchildren.

The City of Orange Beach has recently faced questions about building moratoriums, themed attractions, new roads and recent ethic complaints. Councilman Simpson is sure to have a busy agenda as he enters public office.