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Commissioners honor Koch
The Fairfax County Planning Commission honored Ron Koch on July 12 for his 22 years of service.Koch, a Centreville resident, resigned his position last year after suing Fairfax County Police officers from the Sully District Police Station for assault and conspiring against him.
The honor “was wonderful and absolutely humbling,” Koch said.
Members of the Planning Commission honored Koch at their 70th anniversary celebration.
Koch, who eventually lost the law suit against the three officers, vowed to leave Fairfax County after he resigned, saying he didn't feel comfortable being around county police or serving the county.
Now Koch and his wife Lois are waiting a couple more years for a better market in which to sell their house before they move away, Koch said. He has lived in Centreville for 28 years.
He was replaced on the Planning Commission by John Litzenberger, a former county school board candidate.
It saddens me that the one thing Ron Koch will be known for in Fairfax County is that he filed a lawsuit against the ever-powerful police department and lost. The author of this article fails to mention any of the many positive contributions Koch has made to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Fairfax County, most notably his community of Centreville. In addition to the countless hours he spent working with Fairfax County staff, developers and citizens on land-use cases, listening to their concerns, addressing issues and making recommendations, Koch was also an active member of numerous Planning Commission Committees and Board of Supervisors-appointed task forces. Koch has also chaired the Newgate Forest Homeowners Association since 1988 and helped establish the Western Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) where he has been a charter member since 1981 and had previously served as chairman and vice-chairman of its Land Use Committee.
Koch has committed a lot of his “spare” time and energy to the programs and services provided by the Fairfax Area Christian Emergency and Transitional Services (FACETS). He drove the FACETS RV each month to deliver services, food and clothing to homeless and low-income people living in the county. Koch also entertained the children by performing magic shows and he had previously performed magic shows at the County Boys Probation Home and Camp 30 and taught parenting classes at the county jail and pre-release center. Koch has also mentored at-risk youth from low-income families through the FACETS Mentoring Program.
In 2000, Koch received the Outstanding Achievement in Community Service Award from the WFCCA for his contributions to the Centreville community. Koch was designated as a “Hometown Hero” by the Centre Ridge Commerce Bank in Centreville on December 22, 2005 for his volunteer work. Koch was also awarded a 2007 resolution by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s General Assembly recognizing all his community work and volunteer achievements.
So, although the police department case was a minor kink in Koch’s outstanding history with Fairfax County, it certainly should not be the entire focus of such an outstanding citizen who has given the residents of Fairfax County so much. He will truly be missed by those who were lucky enough to have known him.
Posted by anon1221
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