Aide to Run Anaheim While New Manager Is Sought

The Anaheim City Council on Tuesday appointed Bob Simpson, former fire chief and current deputy city manager, to replace outgoing City Manager William O. Talley on an interim basis.

Talley, city manager for more than 11 years, agreed last week to resign his post, after an earlier, acrimonious 3-2 vote by the council to fire him.

Both Talley’s resignation and Simpson’s appointment will become effective Sept. 2, although Talley had already assigned daily operations of the city manager’s office to Simpson.

Simpson has also presided at council meetings in Talley’s stead since the council’s July 28 vote to dismiss Talley.

The council’s appointment of Simpson was for an indefinite term, but he has already said he will not seek the permanent position. And on Tuesday he said he does not want the interim posting to be a lengthy one.

“I will give the city adequate time to do what is necessary to find a new city manager, but I’ve made no secret of the fact that I don’t want to be the permanent city manager, and I don’t expect to be interim city manager for too long,” Simpson said.

Unanimous Approval

Simpson’s lack of interest in the permanent post was reflected in the council’s unanimous approval of his appointment. The council has been bitterly divided over Talley’s management style and his handling of several key lawsuits brought against the city.

“The council has a lot of flexibility with me,” Simpson said. “They know that I am absolutely apolitical and have no interest in keeping the job on a permanent basis. I have spent 33 years in government, and it is too late to start learning how to be a city manager. I don’t have the financial background for it.”

City officials said Tuesday that a search for a new city manager has not begun, but most council members have said they favor a nationwide hunt. Simpson said he will recommend that the council hire a “headhunter” or a professional search team.

Simpson, 57, said his agreement with the city will mean few changes in his current contract, with only a slight adjustment in his $90,000-plus salary. But he will be able to return to his former job if the city ends his interim post, he said.

Simpson, a firefighter since 1955, was a deputy fire chief in Los Angeles County before being named Anaheim’s chief in 1980. In 1985, while serving as fire chief and deputy city manager, he was appointed to serve as temporary coordinator of the city’s convention center, stadium and two golf courses.