Coghill for council

Two strong candidates running in District 4

In the District 4 race for Pittsburgh City Council, Democratic voters are faced with two credible and likable candidates, roofing contractor Anthony Coghill and Ashleigh Deemer, the chief of staff to departing Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak. The Post-Gazette endorses Mr. Coghill because of his populist style and impatience for improving everyday living conditions in the district, which takes in several of the city’s southern neighborhoods.

The winner of the Democratic primary May 16 will face the lone Republican candidate, Cletus CibroneAbate, in the general election.

During her time in Ms. Rudiak’s office — as constituent services manager before becoming chief of staff — Ms. Deemer, 34, has developed a firm grasp of the issues important to District 4 and other parts of the city. The Beechview resident has learned which buttons to push, and who to contact, to get something done. She has played a role in projects of citywide import, including progressive causes for which Ms. Rudiak is known, while promoting economic development and other improvements in District 4. She has done fine work.

There’s still much to be done, however, and Mr. Coghill, 50, also of Beechview, conjures memories of the late can-do Mayor Bob O’Connor. His slogan, “Back to Basics,” says it all. If he sees a door on an abandoned house hanging by a hinge, Mr. Coghill said, he would be willing to deal with it himself. He expressed frustration with potholes, graffiti, litter and the district’s drug problem, saying, “I’ll be taking that head on, I can tell you.”

Mr. Coghill plans to maintain ownership of his roofing company but turn over operations to a foreman so he can be a full-time city official. That is a must; the people of District 4 deserve full-time representation.

Although he lacks Ms. Deemer’s government experience, Mr. Coghill has been around the block a few times. He has run for council three times before — losing to Ms. Rudiak in a crowded field in 2009 — and he’s the 19th Ward chairman. Many of the city’s police and other emergency responders live in District 4, and Mr. Coghill has been endorsed by the police, EMS and firefighters unions. As a councilman, Mr. Coghill may be able to help bridge the many differences between the police union and Mayor Bill Peduto’s administration.

Ms. Deemer argues that she has a broader vision for the city’s future. She’s right. The city’s by-district election of council members promotes a parochialism that Mr. Coghill must be careful to avoid. As a contractor and business owner, Mr. Coghill has knowledge that can be applied citywide. His grass-roots style and everyman’s sensibilities would be two positives on council.

The Democratic voters of District 4 are fortunate to have two good candidates in this election, but the PostGazette endorses Anthony Coghill.