Orland Park Trustee Cynthia Nelson Katsenes got a little emotional when talking about Marilyn Harlan.
Harlan was the first female trustee elected to the board back in 1981 and was honored at the July 20 Committee of the Whole Meeting for turning 90. July 20 was proclaimed Marilyn Harlan Day in the village.
Forty-five years after Harlan was sworn in, Katsenes was able to express her gratitude to Harlan.
“When I was a young girl, I would see you…you were always so poised and you were always so polite,” Katsenes said. “And I was so proud to say, ‘Wow, that’s one of our village trustees!’
“I’m so very proud of you. Thank you for everything you have done. You are a trailblazer and a great role model for me and for more people to come.”
Mayor James Dodge echoed the fact that Harlan was a “trailblazer” who loved to serve the village.
“She paved the way for future generations,” Dodge said. “After she was a trustee, she continued to serve the village in different capacities.”
Dodge pointed out that Village Hall, where the meetings currently take place, and other notable accomplishments in the community were a result of Harlan’s work on the board.
“This building, this complex, Centennial Park, Lake Michigan water…a lot of those things came during what I call the Marilyn Harlan Era,” he said. “We live in a great community now because back then they set the design for the town and did a number of great things.”
Harlan was grateful for the honor.
“This was unexpected,” she said. “It was a big surprise and I really appreciate it.
“And I appreciate what I’ve done here. I think our village is fantastic and it always has been.”
After her run as a trustee ended in 1989, she became a director of the Orland Park Civic Center.
Matthew Lulich worked with her on the Civic Center board.
“When I first heard about this honor for Marilyn Harlan, my first thought was ‘how great is it that she is still with us,’’’ he said. “I hadn’t seen her in so long.
“I first got to meet Marilyn as a member of the Civic Center Authority board and in the 1990s I was still a fairly young guy. I learned so much from Marilyn about local government and how to serve your community with honor and distinction.”
He also called her a “steadfast and seasoned politician” and “a person with a great sense of humor and empathy and pride for her community.”
Lulich said he was glad to be a part of the era in which she became the first Civic Center director.
“That was a great thing to witness,” he said. “I’m happy to know Marilyn and to learn so much from her.”
