From a field that was initially crowded with 10
hopefuls, Centerville voters Tuesday picked three city council members, returning the sole incumbent running. The biggest vote total, however, went to state political figure Francine Giani, an adviser and press aide to Gov. Norm Bangerter.Giani, making her first bid on the local political level, polled 1,238 votes, leading the six candidates who weathered the Oct. 6 primary vote.
Giani also led the polling in the primary election but said she didn't let down, attributing her margin of victory to active door-to-door campaigning.
Ken Brown, making his first foray into politics since his retirement from a business career, polled 1,009 votes to come in second. Michael Barton, the sole incumbent running for another term, made it in with 913 votes.
Unsuccessful candidates were David Hirschi with 841, M.C. Green with 801, and Nelden Maxfield trailing at 699. Eliminated in the primary election were Kent Roner, Kevin Merrill, Kim Peterson and Stephen Odysseus.
City Recorder Marilyn Holje said the vote totals are unofficial. The City Council will meet at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, to canvass the votes.
Only about 17 percent of Centerville's voters turned out for the primary election, but Holje estimates that doubled, to about 35 percent, for the general election.
Giani said she's grateful to the residents of Centerville who voted for her and promised not to let them down.
"There are important issues out there to be addressed over the next four years," said Giani, elected to the council of one of Utah's fastest-growing small cities.
"After the primary, I looked at the districts where I wasn't as strong as the others and made sure I hit them. I think it made the difference," said Giani, assessing her strong finish.
Her volunteer involvement also helped her, Giani believes. She's chairwoman of the parks and recreation committee, head of the annual Festival of Lights celebration at Christmas, and she coaches a girls' ball team.
Barton said he felt his name recognition and record as a council member helped him, especially his knowledge of the issues of growth and recreation funding, two major discussion items in the election.
Two incumbent council members, Nancy Gibbs and Bruce Erickson, chose not to run again.