Colleagues express praise for Simms

Those who have worked closely with James Simms in a public career spanning parts of three decades sum him up in soft-spoken words like calm, steady, resolute.

Some colleagues describe Simms as a person who quietly gets the job done, a natural negotiator. Others say he is gentle-spirited, but tough-minded.

A man who seems comfortable in a low-profile public role, Simms suddenly finds himself at center stage, a likely contender to oust Allegheny County Council President John DeFazio, a fellow Democrat, when the panel reorganizes in January. It is a position Simms sought but failed to win when he was first elected to council in 1999.

After helping hammer out some of the toughest budget negotiations in the county's history, Simms' profile is in much sharper focus than it was two years ago.

"I have every confidence in him - that he will keep County Council on an even keel," said former county Councilman Richard Olasz of West Mifflin, who disagreed with Simms on various issues but praised his ability as a conciliator.

"Politics is the art of compromise. If you lose that ability to compromise on issues, you're done. You are in the wrong arena," Olasz said.

Simms, of Schenley Heights, has worked in city and county government for 29 years in various posts, including executive assistant to mayors Sophie Masloff and Richard Caliguiri. He represents District 10 on County Council.

Simms is considered well-informed and astute even by those who have crossed swords with him. Most call him smart.

"It's fair to say there will always be differences of opinion, but we have worked well together in crafting the two budgets of the new government," county Manager Bob Webb said. "I certainly find him to be a man of integrity. That is certainly a hallmark of his service today, as well as his prior service to city government."

While some observers expressed surprise, even shock, at Simms' recent vote against the controversial county living wage bill - a measure he had originally co-sponsored - others saw it as the philosophical pragmatist in him coming to the surface.

Simms has explained the decision on principle, saying the living wage would cost too much and discourage new businesses. Leadership sometimes means taking a tough stand, even one that could anger some his constituents, he said this week.

He's denied selling his vote on living wage, saying that his principles and GOP interest in defeating the measure happened to converge. That joining has opened his path to the council presidency.

Simms did not return telephone calls on Friday seeking comment.

The man who hired Simms to work as an assistant executive secretary to then-Mayor Caliguiri recalled the young minister, who at the time rode around on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, as "smart, fair and very hard-working."

David Matter, who is now president of Oxford Development Corp., was Caliguiri's executive secretary. Simms was fresh off a failed bid to win the 1977 Democrat nomination for mayor.

"Dick and I were both very impressed with Jim," Matter said.

"He has always been a guy of high principle, and he was tough-minded. We didn't send him out just to deliver the good news. I am not the least bit surprised that he has taken a controversial stand" on the county's recently defeated living wage proposal.

"He is a maverick in a sense, not in the sense of just being contrary, but for not being afraid to take a contrary position."

Simms' bid for County Council president, with the support of Republican votes, isn't a calculated political maneuver on his part, Matter added.

"I don't think that even entered his mind," he said.

The people in his heavily black and Democratic district "will rally to his cause."

Former Mayor Masloff said Simms is an honorable person.

"He is a fair and wonderful guy, the best person they could choose for council president."

Masloff said she relied on Simms as a trusted adviser, particularly on dealing with neighborhood problems.

Councilwoman Eileen Wagner, a Scott Township Democrat who has sat next to Simms at council meetings for the last two years, said Simms has wanted the presidency since losing it in 1999.

At that time, the new council, created by the Home Rule Charter, was deadlocked between Wagner and DeFazio, with Simms emerging as compromise candidate.

Wagner ultimately changed her vote to support DeFazio.

"Jim has been very disgruntled about how John handles the meetings. He thinks that (DeFazio) lets the speakers go on too long," Wagner said.

Joseph Sabino Mistick, a Duquesne University law professor who worked with Simms in both the Masloff and Caliguiri administrations, described him as "a good and decent man."

"He's dealt with the ups and downs of life without getting rattled. There is very little that could cause Reverend Simms to lose his objectivity or change his reflective nature."