Orland Taps Interim Village Manager, Assistant Manager

ORLAND PARK, IL — With Orland Park Village Manager George Koczwara officially out on Oct. 14, the Village Board on Tuesday voted on appointees to fill his role and that of assistant village manager.

Taking over for Koczwara is Jim Culotta, who had served as assistant village manager since March 2022. Culotta tapped former Orland Park Police Deputy Chief Brian West as his interim assistant village manager.

Koczwara opted to resign in July, a month after the board voted not to renew his contract at its expiration in October. Mayor Keith Pekau called that necessary to allow room for the future mayor—should Pekau not be mayor in 2025—and board to choose their own village manger, a courtesy he said the existing contractual system does not extend officials. The decision had nothing to do with Koczwara's performance, Pekau stressed during the June meeting, and they planned to keep him in the position. Koczwara, though, decided not to remain in the role without a contract in place.

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At the June meeting, citing his strained and contentious relationship with former village manager Joseph LaMargo and the actions taken in 2017 that put LaMargo in the role, Pekau explained the move not to automatically renew Koczwara's contract as proactive. LaMargo, Pekau said, had been appointed to the role by the previous mayor and board, after Pekau was elected but before he was sworn in. Conflicting political viewpoints created an environment fraught with tension, initially culminating in LaMargo's departure from the role and, ultimately, years of legal battles.

On Tuesday, Pekau again addressed the tension that stemmed from 2017.

“Trustee Dodge and the rest of the Village Board hired McLaughlin’s Deputy Democratic Committeeman as the Village Manager before I was sworn in, which was clearly intended to usurp the will of the voters," he said.

"This was inappropriate, and it would be wrong for us to hire a permanent village manager this close to an election. ... This is the only form of government that this craziness is even possible."

Pekau was alluding to the Village's current government structure and function, which he sought to change in 2023. A referendum asked voters to consider a change from a government structure that gives a village manager final decision-making ability in many matters, to one that returns that authority largely to the mayor, with a board of trustees also weighing in. Residents voted in favor of keeping the current format, which was first enacted in November 1983.

"It’s the dumbest form of government I can think of," Pekau said in June.

Pekau this week said by appointing interim staff, the board is allowing room for a new mayor—should there be one—and any possible new board members to play a role in selecting a permanent village manager. Final interviews for the role will be held after the April 2025 election, he said.

"There will be at least one new board member," Pekau said, "and that person should be included in the process."

Until then, Pekau said Culotta can ably manage the responsibilities.

"I am confident that Jim is very capable of filling this role," Pekau said. "His work as an assistant village manager has been exemplary, and I’m happy to see him appointed. I’m also hopeful that he applies for the open role."

Trustees unanimously approved Culotta's appointment.

"I am honored to serve as Interim Village Manager," said Culotta, in an email to Patch. "I appreciate Mayor Pekau and the Board for offering me this opportunity to serve the community."

Culotta chose Brian West as his interim assistant village manager. The board voted 6-1 in approval, with Trustee Michael Milani dissenting.

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"Brian West was an outstanding deputy chief," Pekau said. "I’m happy to support Jim’s decision to bring him back as the interim assistant village manager.

"He’s very capable of performing this role, and his integrity and dedication to the Village is unmatched."

Hired to fill the role of deputy chief of police was Lawrence Rafferty. Rafferty most recently served as deputy chief for the Tinley Park Police Department. He resigned from that role in February 2024.