PROVO — A Provo City Council candidate shifted gears from mere aggravator of the incumbent to serious contender Friday when she issued a list of action points she would address if elected in November.

City Council hopeful Melanie McCoard said she was disheartened when she learned Council Member Midge Johnson filed for re-election in District 3. McCoard initially decided to run only to challenge her, but now she's issued 12 action points she will address if elected to the City Council.

"When I began running in earnest I needed to make clear what I would do, not only what (Johnson) had done," she said. "I'm willing to put myself and my ideas on the line."

Among her initiatives, McCoard said she would ask for sustainability forecasts on Provo's air quality, water conservation, recycling participation, open space preservation and watershed protection. She also said she would initiate a serious discussion, including the public, about how big Provo should become. She doubts Mayor Lewis Billings' statement that the city can annex and reach a population of about 200,000.

"Well, that's interesting," she said. "Where is Provo going to get this land to annex?"

A complete list of her objectives can be found at provoelections2007.blogspot.com.

Council member Midge Johnson, who's received the brunt of McCoard's criticisms, said she hasn't had time to review the 12 action points. But she's glad McCoard is demonstrating she's serious about the election.

"I feel that up until this point she was an illegitimate candidate," she said. "At least it's more credible than what she's been doing before."

Johnson said she feels McCoard has been overly aggressive in challenging her service on the City Council. But Johnson said she's received a lot of positive phone calls because of McCoard's tactics.

"I see her as one of my best campaigners," she joked. "I'm like, 'You go, girl."'

If re-elected, Johnson said she will provide strong representation for the west side of the city. She will also focus on economic development and increasing the standard of living in Provo.

McCoard has pointed out "contradictions" in Johnson's voting record, but she also said Brian Smith, another City Council candidate for District 3, lacks experience. On the other hand, she said she's closely monitored the City Council for 10 years.

Smith said she's tooting her own horn. As a business analyst for Nu Skin, he said his apparent inexperience is a breath of fresh air.

"What I'm looking for is the things that pertain to my constituents," he said. "It's pretty simple."

If elected, Smith said, one of his focuses will be on maintaining open space in Provo.

"We're running out of space and if we don't use it correctly we'll have more and more urban blight," he said.

The primary election Sept. 11 will eliminate one of the three candidates. The general election is on Nov. 6.

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