Fayette town clerk throws name in hat for open mayoral seat

FAYETTE—Fayette Town Clerk Tyson Holyoak announced Tuesday, Aug. 18 that he intends to seek the town’s open mayoral position, adding another name to the field of residents interested in filling the vacancy created by Mayor Jed Bartholomew’s resignation.

Holyoak said he has given the decision considerable thought and ultimately decided to put his name forward because of his affection for the community.

The Fayette Town Council is set to select a new mayor at its Sept. 8 regular meeting.

“I don’t love politics,” Holyoak said in an announcement to residents, noting his opposition to what he considers excessive government. “But I will say that I love Fayette. I have grown to love this little community and its big heart.”

Holyoak said he would advocate strongly for Fayette’s needs if elected mayor.

His candidacy would create a vacancy in the town clerk position. Holyoak said he is confident the position could be filled by a qualified candidate and that he would help the next clerk learn the duties of the job if he is appointed or elected mayor.

The mayoral position became vacant after Bartholomew resigned Aug. 4. His final day in office was Aug. 5.

The Fayette Town Council appointed Councilwoman Melissa Mellor as mayor pro tem, with her term as acting mayor running from Aug. 6 through Sept. 8.

Mellor was previously the sole applicant for the position, according to Holyoak. She has served on the Fayette Town Council since January 2022.

Residents interested in serving as mayor may submit applications through the Fayette Town Office before the Sept. 8 council meeting. The person appointed by the council will serve until the next municipal election, when voters will elect a mayor to complete the remainder of the unexpired term.

Bartholomew resigned after accepting a position as a liaison between the state of Utah and a company implementing inmate tablet technology within Utah’s correctional system. He said the company asked him to step down because of a potential conflict with his role as mayor.

Bartholomew became involved in Fayette town government in 2019 after the previous mayor stepped down. He was serving on the Town Council at the time and was the only candidate for mayor. He was sworn in for a second term following the November 2023 municipal elections.