VINEYARD — It's no longer all in the family in Vineyard.

Randy Farnworth, who isn't a descendant of Shadrach Holdaway, the original grape farmer who homesteaded the lakeside land in 1860, has been appointed mayor.

Truth be told, he's not related at all to anybody in the tiny town of 134 residents, which incorporated in 1989.

"The situation was that everybody on the (town) council was already related. Because it's such a small town I'm really the only one not related to anyone else in town," said Farnworth, the 50-year-old businessman appointed to take former Mayor Rulon Gammon's place.

Gammon resigned in January. He sold his dairy farm and moved to Pleasant Grove.

Gammon talked to Farnworth before he left and asked him to consider putting his name on the table for consideration as mayor. He did — and was picked.

Farnworth, who has lived in Vineyard for 13 years, says he's just filling in for the next nine months — "but I see the next nine months as real critical," he said.

Fellow Councilman Grant Holdaway said he voted for Farnworth because he believes the man he's served with on the town council for the past seven years can grow into the job.

"I think he shares the same vision that we all have. I think he has a very good interest in what happens in the town," Holdaway said.

Vineyard is facing a number of challenges, most stemming from the bankrupt Geneva Steel.

Two Geneva creditors, Anderson Geneva LLC and Silver Point Capital L.P. of Greenwich, Conn., have filed competing restructuring and development plans in bankruptcy court..

One developer is proposing a major project that would put thousands of homes on the old steel mill property. Others want to see the site cleaned up and commercial growth go in.

In the meantime, Vineyard has to determine how to adequately prepare for the future.

"Our biggest issue right now is water and sewer," Farnworth said. "Geneva isn't really a player yet and won't be until the court determines who is the owner. There's a lot of rumors flying around, but nobody has never brought us anything yet."

He feels it's important to recognize the existing businesses and industries that provide the town's tax base, such as the pipe and gas plants in the Geneva area.

It's also critical to welcome the new power plant coming into the area, he says.

Farnworth discounts reports that he and his fellow officials are considering abandoning the township and perhaps annexing into Orem. "That's nonsense," he said.

Farnworth, who is owner of Randy's Mechanical in Orem and also works as a general contractor, plans on running for the election in the fall, if he feels he has the community's support.

"A lot of people feel they need an independent representative," he said. "Because of that, I can't see throwing in the towel."

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