Incumbent council members Midge Johnson (District 3), Barbara Sandstrom (District 4 ) and Steve Turley (Citywide District 2) are facing challenges from Melanie McCoard, Brian J. Smith, Sherrie Hall Everett, Howard Stone, V. Kay Van Buren, Coy D. Porter and Christopher Stowe.

Citywide District 2

Turley believes he deserves a second term because Provo's done well on his watch. He pointed to the city's improved financial state, better equipment for its emergency services and dispatch center. Plus, he noted that he has been consistent in his opposition to iProvo, a citywide communications backbone.

If the city does not come up with a better strategy for iProvo, which also provides cable services to subscribers, Turley warned that Provo may wind up selling the system at a substantial taxpayer loss.

Turley also has come under attack for appearing to have conflicts of interest on development issues. A roofer by trade, he said the only development issues he was involved in that have come before the council was changing the zoning on his own property.

Porter, 52, is no stranger to city service. He spent 30 years on the city's fire department, the last five serving as chief. That experience, Porter said, gives him familiarity with the city's budget process, and he's acquainted with many on the council. He's also has served as president of the Utah Firefighters Association.

Among the issues he sees facing Provo is growth. The city needs to adopt a system of orderly growth that wisely uses dwindling open space and encourages long-term family housing.

Stowe, 21, a student at Brigham Young University majoring in American Studies, sees his lack of political experience as an asset rather than a liability. This is first run for office; he previously worked on Christian Burridge's congressional campaign.

"I'm running because the [Municipal] Council has ignored students' needs - and not just students, but all the constituents," Stowe said.

The iProvo network is also concerns him. Like others, he sees its woes rooted in a lack of proper marketing. The city will not get the critical mass of subscribers it needs without promoting it better.

District 3

McCoard, 53, a former neighborhood chairwoman and a longtime council critic, said she is running for just one reason: to keep Johnson from getting on the November ballot. McCoard said Johnson's record is inconsistent, making her an ineffective representative.

"It's all over the place," McCoard said. "She votes this way and that way, and she's not consistent with what she stands for." The primary challenger has taken Johnson to task for not voting to approve a minimum house size while arguing that the city's west side needs larger homes.

Johnson, 57 doesn't perceive McCoard as a viable threat, especially since McCoard doesn't really want the job. Seeking a second term on the council, she said she wants to continue giving residents a voice in municipal government.

"I don't have a hunger for power. I don't want to be mayor," Johnson said. "I want to serve the people."

One of the things Johnson would pursue in her second term is managing the growth and development of the city's west side. She wants people to see that part of Provo as a desirable place to live - rather than just a place to buy a starter home.

Johnson previously worked for the Provo Chamber of Commerce and now owns a preschool.

Smith, 40 said he decided to run after hearing a church leader speak about the need for people to get involved. His strength, he said, lies not in being a politician, but a constituent.

Smith sees growth as the most pressing issue facing Provo, especially in the traditionally rural west side. It is important to develop the land wisely, said the business-integration analyst for NuSkin.

District 4

Sandstrom, 74, is seeking a third term because she believes she still has something to offer the city. She said she has attended many leadership meetings and conferences in the past two years and wants to use that knowledge to help Provo.

"When I first came on the council, someone asked me what is one of the biggest problems facing the city, and I said 'growth,' " Sandstrom said. "Growth is still a problem here," Sandstrom said, adding that the city needs to ensure that homes built on the west side sustain families, rather than just being transitional housing.

Everett, 46, a self-employed strategic marketer and Lakeview North neighborhood chairwoman, looks at service on the council as a way to help solve west-side problems. Specifically, the city should upgrade its general plan for the area and make plans for the time when the farms in the area are turned into housing.

Another concern is providing west-side residents with a place to shop in Provo.

When Smith's Food and Drug tried to open a store on Geneva Road, it provoked a battle among residents and members of the council. The store was never built, and west-side residents - and sales tax revenue - headed to Wal-Mart in Orem.

Stone, 48, believes that the council shows a lack of public service. He said council members should strive to make the community better, not pursue personal agendas at the expense of the public good.

Van Buren, 56, is a home builder and Grandview South neighborhood chairman. He said it's time for Sandstrom to retire from the governing body.

One of his concerns: preserving the west side as a livable area. He said many older residents are dying, and their property is becoming rundown. He would expand the Pride In Provo program to turn the situation around and make the area more attractive.

dmeyers@sltrib.com