District 3 hopefuls stress experience

PROVO — To the naked eye, the Provo City Council District 3 race features two rookies vying for a City Council position.

Midge Johnson and Melanie McCoard are relative political newcomers, unlike other district races where incumbents are fighting for another four years on the job.

But don't count them out just yet. Both candidates say they have plenty of experience to help them on the job.

"I've got a lot of learning to do, but I'm up to the task," said Johnson, a mother of five children. "Experience can work against you as much as for you."

Johnson has been an activist in the past. But after serving on the Planning Commission and as the vice president of the Provo Chamber of Commerce, Johnson took a 16-year break — a "hibernation" as she likes to call it — from local leadership.

During that time she ran a preschool in her basement, which is still in operation. Running for city council was never in her future plans.

"The best candidate is probably still out there," Johnson said. "They just didn't file."

McCoard unsuccessfully ran for City Council against Mark Hathaway four years ago in the last election. Although she holds no political office, she's a household name among Provo leaders.

She's pestered them for about six years now. McCoard attends every City Council meeting, study session, or briefing — just about any city meeting you could think of.

"My attendance has been better than some of the council members," McCoard said. "I have an education I can't waste. That's really the truth."

Johnson pledges more citizen involvement in local government. She says she has no agenda and is open to all ideas.

"I don't have a platform. I'm just trying to find out what the people want," Johnson said. "People don't feel like their voices are being heard."

McCoard said her opponent should take a stand on the issues.

"She has no idea where she stands," McCoard said. "I believe voters have the right to know where a candidate stands."

McCoard pushes a "neighborhood friendly" platform. She says investment landlords are driving out homeowners from the neighborhoods, leaving properties dilapidated and neighborhoods bare.

Growth is the No. 1 problem in Utah County, and McCoard said she plans on putting a rein on development.