Sandstrom initially waffled about running again. The septuagenarian had wanted to wait to see who might run and whether she would feel comfortable backing any of the other candidates.

She will again be challenged by Howard Stone. Sandstrom defeated him in a primary four years ago, 61 percent to 15, during an election cycle that cost her just $1,270. Other challengers might include Dave Griffith and Sherrie Everett.

Stone, Griffith and Everett have not filed.

"I have given it some thought, and I have some homework I have to do to determine whether or not I'm going to do this," Griffith said.

Everett is chairwoman of the Lakeview North Neighborhood west of I-15. Sandstrom lives east of I-15 on Grandview Hill.

"I really seriously have been considering it," Everett said. "The west-side issues are so important and with everything that's going on I think it's time we have some representation, but my tendency has been to see if Barbara's going to run or not, because she's been pretty responsive to our neighborhood."

The west side is facing I-15 expansion, Geneva Road expansion, a new neighborhood park and new neighborhood elementary school, plus a half-dozen new housing developments.

"We have the biggest tracts of developable land in Provo out here on the west side and we only have one opportunity to do it right," Everett said.

If more than two candidates file for a seat, a primary election will be held Sept. 11. The general election is Nov. 6.

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com