PROVO — There's an old story about Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

It's a familiar tale. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Provo's Mr. Nobody says he will do it.

Steve Turley, who is running against incumbent Stan Lockhart for the citywide City Council position, says he's the unknown who will get the job done in Provo government.

"How is it that Mr. Nobody — that's me — how can I come from nowhere and give Mr. Everybody a run for his money?" Turley said.

Turley said although he only received 33.36 percent of the vote in the primary, holding Lockhart to 50.41 percent is a victory in and of itself. The political newcomer said those figures show that Provo voters aren't happy with the current leadership.

But with five candidates splitting the vote during the primary, gaining more than 50 percent of the vote pretty much guarantees a win in the general election, Lockhart said.

"Fifty-one percent of the vote is, in political circles, very very good," Lockhart says. "It's normally a sign that you are going to win."

Lockhart seeks another four years on the job, where he pledges to make sure they are being spent efficiently. He said he has the experience — and connections — to get things done in local government. Lockhart and his wife, Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, reign as Utah County's political power couple.

Turley said it's time for a fresh approach on the City Council, and that the "old boy club" that exists must be abolished.

"Provo has become a bully," Turley said. "There is an awful lot of distrust in local politics."

The City Council must be as strong as the other arm of the city's government — the mayor's administration. The current council has failed to keep a proper check-and-balance role, he said.

Lockhart said he has done that while in office. He said he has disagreed with the mayor throughout his tenure as a councilman, and will continue to make educated decisions regarding the issues.

"I'm an independent thinker," Lockhart said. "When I see there is a problem, I have no qualms about addressing it, and I have on a regular basis."

Turley pledges to give neighborhoods the choice in how they should look in the future. He claims the council has a used a "one size fits all" approach to governing how the city is developed.

"I just think they are trying to manipulate the town so that it looks like the way they want it to look," Turley said. "Last time I checked they didn't own the town. The owners of the properties own the town, and we need to listen to the owners as well."

Most residents are happy living in Provo, and if re-elected, Lockhart said he will continue to make the decisions that keep the city smoothly running.

"I would suggest to you that the vast majority of people in this city appreciate the great deal of time and effort that is spent looking after their interest, providing them services and keeping their taxes low," Lockhart said. "Most people are very happy with how the city is being run."

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com