Syracuse, N.Y. — The newly appointed president of the Syracuse Housing Authority board says he’s “comfortable” keeping the organization’s embattled executive director.

That means Bill Simmons’ job appears safe for the time being, despite Mayor-Elect Sharon Owens’ campaign claims that she would work to remove him.

After Thursday’s SHA meeting, the first with with two newly appointed commissioners, the new board chair shut down talk of any quick removal of Simmons as executive director.

“The board is comfortable with where we are today,” said Ryan Benz, who was chosen by his peers at the meeting to lead the board for the next year following the resignation earlier this fall of former Chair Calvin Corriders Sr.

Benz cited tangible progress on several new building and renovation projects

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