Deer Park administrator retiring at end of year

After more than 43 years in city management, Deer Park Village Administrator James Connors will step down at the end of the year and be replaced by current Village Treasurer Beth McAndrews.

Connors said he thought he'd be in Deer Park only for a few years when he began working for the village in September 2006, but found that he really liked working for the town's residents.

"They listened to my approach to solving problems," Connors said. "They worked with us, they didn't just say 'Village, solve our problems.'"

This will be the second time Connors has retired. In 2004, he stepped down from his job as DeKalb city manager, taking an early retirement program with the state, but landed in Deer Park two years later.

Connors said the time is right for him to reduce his workload. He is 64 years old, his last child is about to graduate high school and he has grandchildren.

"It's still exciting to stay engaged professionally because it's a challenge, but at the same time you want to start to enjoy the fruits of your labor," he said. "I'm approaching that crossroads and making a change in my life to find a better balance."

Connors said he has discussed the possibility of doing consultant work for the village on a case-by-case basis after his retirement begins.

One person who hopes that Connors will do that is his successor.

"I hope to do as well of a job as Jim. It'll take a long time, but hopefully with his help and staff, I will get there eventually," McAndrews said. "He has been a great mentor."

The village board announced McAndrews as the next village administrator at their meeting Monday night. McAndrews, who has a background in accounting, has served as village treasurer for three years. Before working for the village she spent 13 years raising her four daughters.

McAndrews said she plans to use Connors' wealth of city management experience as a resource during the transition into her new role.

She wasn't the only person to praise Connors' work in the village. The front page of the village's current newsletter features a farewell written by the entire village administration.

"Jim has been able to firmly, yet diplomatically present professional views, concerns, and implications of matters under consideration," Connors' co-workers said in the newsletter. "He has possessed an open and friendly management style demonstrated by having the ability to relate effectively with the board of trustees, residents of the village, commercial business members, and neighboring communities."

Connors said he was surprised and moved by the piece.

"It made me feel very good," Connors said. "You don't expect to get the recognition, but it does make you feel warm."