Our Plaza +ART program, now in its fth year, continues to bring beauty and creativity to Taylorsville and, in particular, to Centennial Plaza. Once again, the program has brought together a stunning collection of sculptures by local and area artists, and I am delighted to share that the 2025–26 season is now on display.
This year’s Art Walk features 22 sculptures, including four permanent pieces, which residents and visitors can enjoy free of charge at any time — day or night. The sculptures are thoughtfully arranged along the lighted pathways at Centennial Plaza, making them especially enjoyable during the evening hours as well as in the sunlight of a crisp autumn afternoon. The mix of permanent and rotating works ensures that each visit offers something new to discover, whether you are returning for a second look or exploring the Art Walk for the rst time.
The rotating sculptures are generously loaned by the artists for the current exhibit at Centennial Plaza, giving our community a chance to enjoy a new collection each season. The 2025–26 exhibit was unveiled on Sept. 26, and the artists were honored that evening at a dinner reception recognizing their creativity and contributions to the program. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the talent and generosity of the artists and to thank them for sharing their work with our community.
Visitors to Centennial Plaza often comment on how the sculptures bring a sense of calm and inspiration, spark conversation and encourage reflection. The Art Walk has become more than just a collection of art — it is a place where people of all ages can connect with creativity, enjoy the outdoors and experience the joy of discovering something new around every corner.
You can learn more about the artists and the inspiration behind their sculptures on our website, www.taylorsvilleut.gov. Be sure to check out next month’s newsletter as well, which will include photos of the new sculptures and highlights from the unveiling event.
I hope you will enjoy exploring these new works of art as much as I do. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to Taylorsville residents Dan and Janean Toone for their vision in launching Plaza +ART and their ongoing e orts to oversee the program.
As the Plaza +ART team recently noted on their Facebook page (@PlazaPlusArt), art has the power to calm, inspire and bring joy. It brings people together, encourages engagement, and strengthens communities — a sentiment I wholeheartedly share.
—Mayor Kristie S. Overson
WHAT’S INSIDE – OCTOBER 2025
Frequently Called Numbers, Page 2
Council Corner, Page 3
TVPD News, Pages 4
Heritage Remembrances, Page 7
Environment, Page 8
Tombstone Tales Marks 27th Anniversary During Historic Week
Lanterns glowed among the headstones as voices from Taylorsville’s past returned to life at this year’s Tombstone Tales. The city’s signature living-history event, staged at the Taylorsville City Cemetery on Sept. 18, 19 and 20, marked its 27th anniversary and coincided with Taylorsville’s Historic Week.
Costumed performers stepped into the roles of early and recent residents, recounting the lives of those who helped shape the community. The guided tours led audiences throughout the cemetery, where storytellers shared memories that connected Taylorsville’s present with its past.
Mayor Kristie Overson, who performed in the program by portraying her mother and event founder Mavis Steadman, said Tombstone Tales remains a powerful reminder of the city’s roots. “It was truly moving to see our history brought to life in such a personal way,” she said. “The stories shared at Tombstone Tales honored those who came before us and deepen our sense of community today.”
Tombstone Tales, which began in 1998, has grown into one of Taylorsville’s most anticipated community traditions. While the cemetery served as the setting, organizers emphasized that the atmosphere was one of respect, remembrance and celebration.
“It is about preserving and honoring our Taylorsville history,” said Historic Preservation Committee Chair Susan Yadeskie, who also performed this year. “Every performance helps keep these stories alive for future generations.”
See the full cast list and their pictures on Page 6 of this section, and watch for video recordings of this year’s performances, coming soon at www.taylorsvilleut.gov
Taylorsville Recreation Center ......................................... 385-468-1732
Swimming Pool (Memorial Day to Labor Day) 801-967-5006
Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center 801-281-0631
UDOT Region 2 801-975-4900
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) 801-743-3882
EVENTS
OCTOBER 2025
Oct. 11 – 10 a.m.
Fall Festival @ Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center. The Taylorsville Historic Preservation Committee is sponsoring its third annual Fall Festival with games, pumpkin-decorating and pie-eating contests, quilt display and giveaway, committee booths and photo-opportunity areas. It's a free event!
Oct. 13 – All Day
Holiday closing. Enjoy the long weekend! City Hall and TVPD's regular o ces are closed on Monday for the holiday, reopening Tuesday.
Oct. 17 – 5 p.m. & Oct. 18 – 10 a.m.
Art Show @ Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center. The Taylorsville Arts Council has partnered with Salt Lake County's Art in Public Places to present the 2025 Taylorsville Art Show. As in past years, the show is free to attend.
Oct. 20 – 7 p.m.
Evening of Art @ Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center. This event is free and open to the public! This evening features three artists, Tyler Swain, Nate Brimhall and Ryan Tollstup, who will speak about their work and show some of their art pieces.
Oct. 23 - 25 – 7 p.m.
Quilters the Musical. The Taylorsville Arts Council will perform this musical at the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center. You won’t want to miss this beautiful story about the strength of womanhood!
Find our calendar of events every month on the city’s website, where you can also submit your own events for possible publication. Go to www.taylorsvilleut.gov
DASH DASH DASH
WHEN: October 25, 2025, at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Valley Regional Park
WHO000: A Family Friendly Event
Get ready for the first-ever Taylorsville Halloween Fun Run! Registered ghouls and goblins will snag some spooktacular goodies and treats! Each registered participant will be provided with a racespecific trick-or-treat bag, which is essential for collecting delightful surprises at various stations along the route. Once registered, bags can be picked up on the day of the race starting at 9:45 a.m.
Put on your best Halloween costumes! This is a 2K Fun Run, so leave the timing chips and trophy hunts behind — it's all about community fun!
Registration is FREE but required, and spots are limited to 250 participants If you weren’t able to sign up for this year’s run, be sure to watch for details and join us for Boo Dash 2026! n!
3-4
October 10
Express Dance Company presents Panic!
October 10
Lioness Records presents Liahona Album Dance Party!
October 11
West Valley Symphony Fall Concert October 19
Miami Show Productions presents Alberto Barradas
Taylorsville City’s Halloween Fun Run
COUNCIL CORNER
By Council Member Curt Cochran
Imagine for a moment you have ordered a rideshare to get you home after a sold-out Utah Jazz game or a BYU/Utah rivalry game at Rice Eccles Stadium. You’ve been at the game for hours; it’s crowded and loud. After all, we are known nationally for how loud we get at our games. It’s cold, maybe snowing, and you are cold. All you want is for that ride you ordered to pick you up as soon as possible so you can get home.
Now imagine that you see your ride pulling up. You are happy now with a grin from ear to ear. You open the door and quickly jump into the car to get out of the elements. Any warm car is better than waiting on a cold curb. You look up at the driver’s seat to con rm you have the right vehicle and WAIT… What the heck? ... There’s no driver!
Sounds unimaginable? Well, in some of our cities across the nation, it’s already a reality. In 1980, the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie “Total Recall” in that movie features a robotic taxi driver named Johnny Cab. The robotic driver interacted with the riders, but Johnny was in control. The riders just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Las Vegas a lot in the last few months. In April, I was near the airport and saw a strange vehicle with a lot of cameras all around it. I didn’t think too much about it at the time. Later, I picked up a copy of “Las Vegas Weekly”
No One at the Wheel: Would You Hail a Robot Taxi?
magazine (dated July 31 to Aug. 6) and the odd car I saw by the airport was on the cover. In that article titled “Nobody Take the Wheel,” author Geo Carter notes that there are a few companies in this space and that Vegas is just one city around the country experimenting with this concept. The article also describes the following:
Even Utah has won a contract to test drone air taxis in the next few years. With gasoline prices approximately 35 cents per mile and increasing insurance rates, many people are ditching their cars and moving more to public transportation and/or ride share programs. Most if not all the companies in this space do currently have a human driver driving the car.
However, the driver is not IN the car and rather is in a comfortable control center within a few miles. Amazon owned company Zoox is planning to go completely autonomous ride hailing later this year. Google has a company, as well. Uber has invested $300 million into this concept.
AVs (Autonomous Vehicles) don’t mind short trips. They don’t decline a trip because they won’t make any money. They don’t care if the pickup or drop o location is inconvenient. They don’t have to end their shift by a certain time to get home for a birthday party. If the people of Las Vegas embrace this and start using it in mass, there may be a huge decrease in personal cars, the number of cars on the roads, and the need for huge parking lots.
We just need to get over the psychological hangup of getting into a car driven by no one and convince ourselves it is safe. Think about this, the last time you took an airplane ride on a major airline, how much of the ight was piloted by a human and how much of the ight was on autopilot and you did not even know? Would you ride in a taxi that did not have a driver behind the wheel? It does give a new meaning to “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
Ballots Arriving Soon with New Rules for Election Day
It’s important to plan ahead for Election Day, which is Nov. 4 this year. Keep an eye on your mailboxes because ballots will be mailed to active, registered voters the week of Oct. 14. The o ces up for reelection this year are mayor and council members for District 4 and District 5. (Districts 1, 2 and 3 will be up for reelection in 2027). Incumbent Mayor Kristie Overson is running unopposed while candidates for District 4 are Meredith Harker and Martín Muñoz. Residents living in District 5 will choose between Robert “Bob” Knudsen and Paul Schulte. For information on the candidates, please go to taylorsvilleut. gov/government/elections or vote.utah.gov.
In years past, voters could ensure their mail-in ballot was
counted as long as it was postmarked by the day before Election Day. But a recent change in the law makes postmarks irrelevant. This year, mailed ballots must be in the county clerk’s possession by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on election night. When, you may ask, should I mail it in order to ensure it’s received on time? The law doesn’t answer that question, so if you want to mail your ballot, sooner is better. Otherwise, a ballot can be deposited into the ballot drop box on the south side of City Hall (or at any of the other drop boxes in Salt Lake County) up until 8 p.m. on Nov. 4. As of this writing, in-person voting was expected to be available on Election Day at City Hall, as well.
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Bob Knudsen, Vice Chair (District 5), Curt Cochran, (District 2), Anna Barbieri, (District 3), Meredith Harker, Chair (District 4) and Ernest Burgess (District 1)
Top Dogs Celebrate Birthdays at Taylorsville Police Department
Check this space each month for news about the Taylorsville Police Department (TVPD) and their valuable service to our community.
Two of Taylorsville City’s most beloved ofcers recently marked special milestones — complete with cake and plenty of tail wags.
The Taylorsville Police Department celebrated the birthdays of its K-9 partners, Koda, now 6, and Turbo, who turned 5. The celebration recognized not only their years of service but also the hard work that goes into maintaining top performance as crime- ghting dogs.
Koda and Turbo, along with their handlers — O cer Moore and O cer Wake eld, as well as former handler Sgt. Palmer — have built impressive résumés. Both dogs have earned numerous awards and are well known for their ability to track fleeing suspects and detect illegal drugs.
“Koda and Turbo have proven time and again that they’re essential to our work,” said Chief Brady Cottam. “We’re grateful for the dedication they and their handlers bring to every call."
The gathering this past month at the police station was a small but meaningful reminder of the important bond between the department’s o cers and their K-9 partners, as well as a chance to honor two “top dogs” whose work often goes unseen but is deeply appreciated.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to Det. Christensen, Taylorsville Police Department’s latest Employee of the Month! Since 2015, Det. Christensen has dedicated his career to serving the citizens of Taylorsville. He rst served with the Salt Lake County Sheri ’s O ce prior to its transition to the Uni ed Police Department. With the formation of the Taylorsville Police Department in 2021, he remained committed to serving the Taylorsville community.
Throughout his career, Det. Christensen has enjoyed working with the citizens of Taylorsville and has always admired the values demonstrated by the city’s administration and elected o cials. He has served in many roles, including patrol o cer, eld training o cer, tra c investigator, emergency vehicle operations instructor, rearms instructor and motor o cer. He is currently assigned to the Directed Enforcement Unit, which carries a wide range of responsibilities.
Det. Christensen was nominated for Employee of the Month by Sgt. Palmer and selected by Chief Cottam for his “exceptional contributions to the unit and dedicated service to the citizens of Taylorsville.” Sgt. Palmer noted that Det. Christensen has “gone above and beyond in fostering collaboration with Taylorsville City o cials, administration, code enforcement, businesses, property owners and other government and community organizations. His e orts have led to grant funding being awarded to Taylorsville, improvements to city ordinances and policies, upgraded equipment and the successful resolution of several nuisance properties within the city.”
One recent notable achievement includes securing a $40,000 grant from the Division of Natural Resources to support the department’s bike squad and fund patrols along the Jordan River as part of the State of Utah’s Jordan River clean-up initiative.
In his free time, Det. Christensen enjoys camping, boating, mountain biking and spending time with his family. Thank you, Det. Christensen, for your outstanding service to Taylorsville!
2025 TAYLORSVILLE ART SHOW
FRIDAY, OCT 17
SATURDAY, OCT 18
Taylorsville Honors SLCC Bruins for National Baseball Championship
The City of Taylorsville is celebrating the Salt Lake Community College Bruins after their historic victory at the Junior College World Series earlier this year.
Mayor Kristie Overson and the Taylorsville City Council recognized the team at a recent council meeting, issuing a proclamation that declared Friday, Aug. 22, as “Bruins Day” in Taylorsville.
“Their triumph in the World Series re ects the highest ideals of collegiate athletics and brings immense pride to Salt Lake Community College, the City of Taylorsville, the State of Utah, and the entire Bruins community,” the proclamation states.
The recognition drew cheers from those in attendance as city leaders highlighted the Bruins’ accomplishments, noting the national spotlight the team has brought to the community. Players and coaches were honored for their hard work, perseverance and for achieving a milestone never before reached by the program.
The championship win came in May, when the Bruins defeated No. 1 seed Walters State of Morristown, Tenn., with a 9-6 victory. Entering the tournament as the eighth seed, the underdog Bruins made history by becoming the lowestseeded team ever to win the Junior College World Series. It also marked the rst national title for Coach DG Nelson’s program.
“This recognition is not just about the win itself, but also about the spirit and determination the Bruins showed in earning it,” said Mayor Kristie Overson. “Their dedication, teamwork and heart reflect the very best of our city, and we were thrilled to celebrate their incredible achievement together on Bruins Day.”
AN EVENING OF ART
MONDAY, OCT. 20, 2025 AT 7PM
MID-VALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 2525 W TAYLORSVILLE BLVD, TAYLORSVILLE, UT 84129 FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The City of Taylorsville is thrilled to announce our next Plaza + ART Event: An Evening of Art!
Presenters will be:
Ryan Tollstrup, Wood Turner
Tyler Swain, Painter
Nate Brimhall, Sculpture Artist
Please email plazaart@taylorsvilleut.gov to RSVP for the event. Light refreshments will be provided.
Talented Cast Recreates History at Tombstone Tales
Cast members, many with personal ties to the community, stepped into the roles of residents from generations past, sharing stories that connect Taylorsville’s present to its roots. The event, held every five years, celebrated its 27 anniversary this year with performances on Sept. 18, 19 and 20 at the Taylorsville City Cemetery.
The event invites audiences to walk the cemetery grounds while hearing these portrayals. For many of the cast, it’s a labor of love — honoring the people who shaped Taylorsville while giving voice to the memories they left behind.
Jess Hansen as the Sexton
Dave Oldroyd as Owen Webster Frame
Aaron and Karina Christensen as James and Mabel Parker
Gideon Lemon and Lisa Caldwell as Harold Reid and Anna Matern
Mayor Kristie Steadman Overson as Mavis Steadman
Kregg and Julie Clemens as Gaylan and Debra Luke
SusanYadeskie as Mary Ellen Normington Cook
Taylorsville Bennion Heritage REMEMBRANCES
From Classroom to Stage, Remembering Mavis Hickman Steadman
This month's article spotlights longtime resident, beloved teacher and founder of Tombstone Tales Mavis Hickman Steadman.
Mavis was the rst child of Harry and Mae Hickman, born into this world by a midwife in the family home on April 8, 1926, in Tooele, Utah. Her brother, Bart, and sister, Cheri, were born shortly after. She began taking piano lessons at about age 9. She was considered a prodigy, entertaining people at church and family events.
Mavis attended East High School and worked on the school newspaper, “The Red and Black.” During World War II, Mavis worked at Hill Air Force Base, counting nuts and screws. She attended UCLA, graduating with a teaching certificate in speech and English in 1947.
Later during a teaching sabbatical, she returned to the University of Utah to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling. Her love of drama took her to the stage of the Salt Lake Theatre where she played the role of southern belle in “First Lady.”
At the Lyric Theatre, she met Stanley Glen Steadman who also loved the theater. The two would marry upon Stan’s return home from the Eastern States mission for their church. Stan and Mavis called each other “Juggy.” The two would later have children amid directing plays, as well as Stan’s singing with the Tabernacle Choir.
In 1962, Stan was involved in a car accident, taking him years to recover. Mavis used her teaching degree to support their family of six children, and taught for 24 years in Granite School District, including at Kearns Junior High, Kearns High School and Eisenhower Junior High. Mavis was named Utah’s Teacher of the Year in 1968.
Mavis actively participated in her community, producing Tombstone Tales twice in the Taylorsville City Cemetery, and helped found the Taylorsville Arts Council.
Don’t Miss These Library Events
The Taylorsville Library has planned several programs during the month of October. You’ll want to mark your calendar for these events:
LIBRARY CLOSURE — Monday, Oct. 13, all day. All libraries closed for the holiday.
VIRTUAL LECTURE | The Volcano That Created a Monster — Monday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m. Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries. A volcano erupts in Indonesia in 1815, and a year later, Mary Shelley writes Frankenstein. Discover how climate chaos helped spark one of literature’s most enduring monsters.
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE — Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1-7 p.m. Give blood to help others. Schedule your appointment: redcrossblood.org or 1.800.RED.CROSS
TEENS: MAGIC POTIONS WITH PROFESSOR LOCKHART — Friday, Oct. 10, 4 p.m. Gilderoy Lockhart entertains and educates guests with the secrets of alchemy and potion making.
DISCOVERY FRIDAY: PHYSICS — Friday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m. Learn all about physics this month. Each month, the library will have a unique combination of STEAM activities, crafts, games, movement and more!
VIRTUAL LECTURE | The Celtic Origins of Halloween — Monday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries. Many Halloween traditions are rooted in the folk customs of the Irish, Scots and Welsh. This presentation will explore the Celtic origins, creatures, traditions and customs of contemporary Halloween.
The Taylorsville Senior Center has planned a variety of classes every month. Classes are free for those over age 60. Among the activities scheduled this month: Bonsai Class — Every second and fourth Monday at 10 a.m. Discover the art and beauty of Bonsai with the center’s new Bonsai Class! This hands-on class is a relaxing and creative way to learn how to shape and care for both indoor and outdoor Bonsai plants. Just bring your own Bonsai. Great places to nd one include Lowe’s, Home Depot or Walmart. The Senior Center will provide all the other supplies you’ll need. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to grow something beautiful while having fun with friends. Find the center’s
ANNUAL COLLECTION DAY
OCTOBER UPDATES
WFWRD Welcomes New General Manager
Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District welcomes its new General Manager Evan Tyrrell. He succeeds the district’s founding director, Pam Roberts, who has retired after more than 28 years of public service leadership. Tyrrell was formally appointed by WFWRD’s Board of Trustees on Aug. 25 after a competitive nationwide recruitment process.
Tyrrell comes to WFWRD with vast experience in what he calls the “materials management” industry. He has served in a variety of public service leadership roles and is passionate about the materials management industry. He said he is “incredibly excited to serve WFWRD’s partner communities and continue Robert’s legacy of providing exemplary public service while leading with empathy, integrity and professionalism.” In his spare time, Tyrrell enjoys exploring the high desert and mountains throughout the Four Corners region, locating ancient petroglyph and pictograph sites, visiting history and art museums and attending performing arts events.
Leaf Bag Pickup Program
Fall is approaching and leaves will begin changing in no time! But don’t worry about them piling up — your team at Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District is ready to help with the cleanup.
Every autumn, WFWRD sets up convenient drop-o spots so you can clear your leaves without overloading your curbside waste containers. Free leaf bags will be available at designated locations from late September through early October.
When your bags are full, bring them to the designated leaf-drop sites that will be available from Oct. 15 through Nov.30. It is OK to set the bags on the ground near the WFWRD containers when full.
You can nd exact locations and dates for bag pickup and drop-o online at wfwrdutah.gov
Check Out These Convenient Ways to Pay Your Bill
TBID utilizes online bill payment to save you time and money. If you have an internet connection and an email address, you can pay your bill online. To make a payment or sign up, go to TBID’s website www.tbid.gov, select Pay Bill Online and Sign Up. You can also pay your bill using these other convenient options:
Drop Box — Place your non-cash payment in the conveniently located parking lot drop box. Drop o payments at 1800 W. 4700 South, just follow the sign.
By Mail — Mail check or money order to Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District, P.O. Box 18579, 1800 West 4700 South, Taylorsville, UT 84118-8579. A return envelope is provided with your bill. Just add the stamp, include your payment and drop it in the mail.
By Phone — Call 801-968-9081 with your credit or debit card or bank information to speak with a Customer Service Representative.
In Person — Visit TBID at 1800 W. 4700 South from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday to make your payment.
No matter which method you choose, paying your TBID bill is easy, convenient and designed to t your schedule.
If you have any questions, please contact Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District by calling 801-968-9081 or visiting www.tbid.org. Follow TBID on Facebook and X.
