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Upper Arlington honors departing council members Jim Lynch and Vice President Brian Klose
Summary
In its Dec. 15 meeting Upper Arlington’s council adopted commendations and heard colleagues’ tributes for Jim Lynch and Vice President Brian Klose after eight years of service; both offered remarks about civic service, mentoring and community projects including the new community center.
Upper Arlington — At the final meeting of 2025 the Upper Arlington City Council read formal resolutions honoring council member Jim Lynch and Vice President Brian Klose for eight years of service and invited colleagues and family members to a series of tributes.
The council read a resolution recognizing Jim Lynch’s service from 2018 to 2026, highlighting his roles on local task forces and planning efforts, and citing his work on the community center feasibility process. Multiple council members praised Lynch’s mentorship, door‑to‑door engagement during campaigns and ability to bridge different viewpoints. In his remarks Lynch thanked family and staff, described running to help heal a divisive period in the city’s recent history, and advised new members to make decisions based on principle rather than electoral considerations: “if you wanna be a good city council member, wrap your mind around never running for reelection again,” he said, adding that approach helped him call issues as he saw them.
The council then read a resolution honoring Vice President Brian Klose for his leadership since 2018, noting his work on economic development, capital investment, parks and recreation planning and the Bob Crane Community Center effort. Colleagues described Klose as a bridge‑builder and mentor; in his remarks Klose reflected on institutional changes (broadcasting meetings, public comment) and on building trust with residents, telling new members that trust must be earned rather than demanded.
Both honorees were presented with formal documents and the council played a short montage of their time in office before adjourning for the final time in 2025. Council members indicated the departures represent a notable loss of institutional knowledge but urged continuity as new members take office.
What it means The resolutions and remarks acknowledge the two members’ roles in projects that shaped the city’s planning and community services over the past eight years, and provide an occasion for public recognition as their council service concludes.
Next steps Council took a group photo and closed the meeting; no formal action beyond the commendations was associated with these presentations.
