Considering Pittsburgh's troubles, some wondered why Jeffrey Koch would trade his job driving a Public Works truck for a seat on City Council.
"My wife's big thing was: Why would you want to do this?" Koch said Wednesday, after winning a special election to fill a vacant council post. "I told her you either move and run from the problems, or stay and try to help address them."
Koch, a city employee for 25 years and an acting foreman in Public Works, beat out seven other candidates for the District 3 position that represents 10 city neighborhoods, primarily in the south.
Anita Koch said her husband is well-suited for the new role.
"He's always up for a challenge. I think he works better under those conditions," she said. "I'm overwhelmed, relieved and very happy."
He will serve out the unexpired term of former Councilman Gene Ricciardi, which runs through 2007. Ricciardi resigned after 15 years on council to become a district judge. City Council members are paid $53,687 a year.
Jeff Koch, 44, was born in Pittsburgh and grew up in the Arlington neighborhood where he and his wife live with their three daughters, Ashlee, 22, Taylor, 14, and Shelby, 13.
Koch started with Public Works in September 1980 as a general laborer, following his graduation that spring from Hilltop Catholic High School. He has spent much of his career as a city truck driver, where his most recent salary was $36,996.
"I've been on night turn for the winter shift. We've been out patching streets and salting when it snows or it's below freezing," he said. "I've salted the streets and patched potholes for years."
It's a job he plans to quit after he's sworn in as a councilman in about two weeks. He hopes to start making a dent in several of the city's more glaring problems -- litter and graffiti -- issues he frequently heard about from voters while campaigning.
"Some of the things they talked about don't really take a lot of money," he said.
Koch, who also owns a landscaping business, touted community involvement as a key qualification for the council job. "I not only live here, I have some rental properties, I have some financial investment here."
His work behind the wheel of a 4-ton dump truck helped him to know the city's neighborhoods and understand basic needs, Koch said.
Public Works Director Guy Costa said he looks forward to working with Koch as a councilman.
"He's been dependable as a truck driver, and I'm sure he'll be dependable to (his) constituents," he said.
The council district includes the neighborhoods of Allentown, Arlington, Arlington Heights, Beltzhoover, South Oakland, Knoxville, Mt. Oliver, the South Side, St. Clair and part of Carrick.
