jsf - Getter called multiple times - selected item not retained in JSP -

i working jsf 1.2 , use little advice. have fmb (planfmb.java) contains array list of select items , single selecteditem.

when page loads, getprojects() method correctly called , displays projects expected. strange thing though, getselecteditem() method called 3 times (once of each project). not sure if typical behavior:

systemout     o getselecteditem = null systemout     o getselecteditem = null systemout     o getselecteditem = null 

also, have command link in jsp, when clicked same thing, calls getselecteditem() method 3 times:

<h:commandlink action="#{plandocbean.classaction}" id="classactionenlink"> 

planfmb.java

string selecteditem = null;  private list<selectitem> selectitems = null;  public string getselecteditem() {       system.out.println("getselecteditem = " + selecteditem);       return selecteditem; }  public void setselecteditem(string selecteditem) {     this.selecteditem = selecteditem;     system.out.println("setselecteditem = " + selecteditem); }  public list<selectitem> getprojects() {          if (selectitems == null) {     selectitems = new arraylist<selectitem>();     selectitems.add(new selectitem("project1", "project1"));     selectitems.add(new selectitem("project2", "project2"));     selectitems.add(new selectitem("project3", "project3"));   }   return selectitems; }  <h:selectonemenu id="items" value="#{plandocbean.selecteditem}">  <f:selectitems value="#{plandocbean.projects}" /> </h:selectonemenu>   

one last thing, actual selected item not retained in select menu when page reloads.

any feedback appreciated. thanks!