It doesn’t happen very often, but this year Centerville City is canceling its General Election. With just one candidate for each open city council seat, there will be no contested races and no ballot propositions are planned either. Under Utah Code § 20A- 1- 206, the city is allowed to cancel a local election under these circumstances.

Originally there were six candidates running for the open positions but three dropped out. Heather Taylor withdrew on June 21; Adam Alba withdrew on Aug. 21 and Bill Ince withdrew on Sept. 5.

Incumbent Robyn Mecham is running for her own seat while Brian Plummer and Cheylynn Hayman are running for the seats which will be vacated by Ince and George McEwan who have chosen not to run for reelection. 

Mecham is a fifth-generation Centerville resident and is currently completing her second term on the city council. A former post office worker, she is a crossing guard for Centerville Junior High. 

Mecham has mixed feelings about running unopposed and not having to campaign, she said. “I think it's good for the candidates to have to get out and meet with the people to learn what’s important to them, and for the people to get to know the candidates and choose the people that are representing them. I think running for office is the hardest part of the job and sometimes brings negativity. So for that reason, I'm happy I don’t have to.”

She is excited to have the opportunity to serve the residents of Centerville for a third term, Mecham said. “I think that I’ve only learned in the last eight years. So I think I’m actually way better qualified now than I was eight years ago, to make changes and do the things that are best for the people. I also love it when people call me, and I can help them so I love that I can still do that – that’s probably my favorite part of the job.”

A former special ed teacher, Plummer is a Davis County deputy assessor. He also is a licensed real estate associate broker and certified general real estate appraiser. He served on the city’s landmarks commission from 2014 to 2021.

“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve on the Centerville City Council, albeit under unusual circumstances,” Plummer said. “I promise the people of Centerville that I will work to ensure our city retains its traditional values of faith, family and community. I look forward to supporting the Landmark Commission in its mission, Centerville Baseball and the planning commission as we prepare for future development that maintains our small-town tradition.

Hayman has lived in Centerville for 18 years and works as a labor and employment attorney. She is the chair of the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission, a member of the Utah State Bar’s Character and Fitness Committee and serves on the board of trustees of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company.  Since 2015 she has been a member of the Centerville Planning Commission.

“I decided to run for city council because I believe that I can do the job and do it well, not because I wanted to be a politician,” Hayman said.  “Now that the election has been cancelled, I can focus my time and attention on assuming my new role as a council member and the positive contributions I hope to make for our city.”  

“As an experienced employment attorney who served on Centerville City’s planning commission for more than six years, I will bring my education, background, and expertise as a professional problem solver and citizen planner to our city council,” she said.  “I intend to approach decisions as a member of the city council in the same way I would approach any legal issue – by carefully reviewing and considering all perspectives, researching and consulting with subject matter experts where appropriate, and weighing all evidence and viewpoints before making decisions that are in the best interests of our city.”