Dec. 15, 2025, marked the tip of an period for Kirtland Hills Village authorities.
That’s when Jack Turben wrapped up 31 years because the village’s mayor, and 40 years of service as an elected authorities chief in the neighborhood.
Turben introduced his resignation from the mayoral place at Village Council’s Dec. 15 assembly, The Information-Herald’s Bryson Durst reported. Councilwoman Alyson Scott was sworn in because the village’s new mayor, whereas the village additionally swore in a brand new council president, council vice chairman and police captain.
A village information launch stated he began as a council member in 1985, served as council president from 1989 to 1994 and have become mayor in 1994.
He was the one candidate on the poll when he received his most up-to-date election in November 2023.
“All through his tenure, Mayor Turben has labored to preserve the village’s many assets and has strived to supply its residents wonderful municipal companies in a fiscally accountable method,” the village information launch stated.
“Throughout this time, Mayor Turben was instrumental within the modernization of the village’s authorities construction with the adoption of a constitution type of authorities, drove the growth and renovation of village corridor with out extra taxpayer funding, and led conservation efforts that protected key village-owned properties, preserving the village’s bucolic nation setting for generations to come back,” the discharge added.
Turben stated that his election to council 40 years in the past was an honor.
“All through these years, our village has preserved its distinctive high quality of life, because of the dedication and spirit of the best residents I’ve ever recognized,” he stated within the information launch. “Our fantastic neighborhood has grown and thrived, but we’ve proudly preserved our five-acre minimal residential zoning, defending the character that makes this place so particular.”
On the assembly, he described his time in workplace as a privilege.
“I additionally suppose now we have the best police and highway departments that I do know of, and I feel that is about as homogeneous an operation, and no politics happening, and I’ve been very, very proud to be related to it,” Turben stated.
State Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, got here to shock and honor Turben. He offered an official commendation signed by himself and Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon.
“We’ve recognized one another for a very long time,” Cirino stated of Turben. “Earlier than I used to be an elected official, he was already well-ensconced as an elected official. We did a bit of enterprise collectively, and your dedication to your group has been excellent, and to Lake County as properly.”
He added that Turben is somebody who’s beloved by his group.
The village information launch additionally highlighted Turben’s work within the non-public sector.
“Past his public service, Mayor Turben loved a distinguished profession in funding banking and personal fairness, and is taken into account as a pioneer within the non-public fairness trade,” it stated. “He was a founding companion and chairman of Kirtland Capital Companions till his retirement in 2012.”
Turben additionally led boards at College Faculty and Lake Erie School, the discharge stated.
He was inducted into the Larger Cleveland Sports activities Corridor of Fame in 2025 for meritorious service.
The establishment’s web site describes him as “a builder of establishments and cultivator of alternative” and stated he has proven “many years lengthy dedication and generosity” to the corridor of fame. He’s additionally “a lifelong racquet sports activities fanatic.”
Turben stated within the information launch that he’s “delighted to move the mayoral torch to Alyson Scott.” He added that she “will probably be supported by an distinctive council and essentially the most devoted employees of our time.”
As certainly one of her first acts, Scott honored her predecessor by naming him mayor emeritus.
In accordance with the village information launch, Scott has served on council since 2017. She is the president of Fredon Company in Mentor and leads the Alliance for Working Collectively Basis. The Massachusetts Institute of Know-how invited her to talk on the symposium and launch occasion for its Initiative for New Manufacturing in Could.
“I’m deeply grateful to Jack for the dedication he has proven over the previous 30-plus years,” she stated within the information launch. “Dedication like his has helped form this village right into a group we’re proud to symbolize. I’m honored to be named successor to such an excellent man whom I think about to be each a mentor and a buddy.”
Scott’s colleagues on council voted unanimously to call her to council president on the Dec. 15 assembly, putting her subsequent in line to succeed Turben. She served within the position of council president for just a few minutes, earlier than Turben made his anticipated retirement announcement.
The Information-Herald’s believes that Turben had a profound and optimistic affect on Kirtland Hills Village throughout his 31 years as mayor. He deserves to be congratulated for his longevity and accomplishments on this management place.
