If the Meet the Candidates night at the Provo City Library is any indiction, about 30 Provo residents will be voting in the general election comes Nov. 6.

The small Bullock Room in the library was about two-thirds filled Wednesday night to submit questions to Provo's City Council candidates. Issues raised included everything from downtown Provo and carbon emissions to the statewide voucher issue.

Most of the candidates emphasized their dedication to the city by the many years they have lived in Provo and seen its issues.

"I want to serve the city that has served me and my family so well," said Midge Johnson, the incumbent in the 3rd District.

One of the major issues of the night was the economic development in Provo. The candidates agreed that developing downtown Provo should be a priority and business should be encouraged.

Johnson emphasized the need for businesses in Provo that can serve the residents, and pointed out that they must drive to Draper to get to IKEA.

Coy Porter, who is running against incumbent Steve Turley for the citywide seat, said his priority is public safety, and he wants to ensure that downtown buildings are safe and functional. As density increases in the city, more services downtown will be necessary, he said.

Provo's downtown area deserves the chance to grow and thrive, said Sherrie Hall Everett, who is challenging Barbara Sandstrom for the 4th District seat.

"We definitely need a strategic approach to our downtown," Everett said. "One of the key strategies we need is to use our downtown for more hours each day."

The candidates also were asked to discuss the possibility of a commuter rail as a way to handle growth in the valley and increasing traffic in the city.

Turley said there is a need to be proactive about growing traffic problems, and he supports a commuter rail in the valley. Sandstrom agreed, saying the City Council is constantly working on traffic solutions. She cited cameras that have been installed at intersections to help control traffic.

Cynthia Dayton, the District 1 incumbent, said there is no question that there is a growing traffic problem and a commuter rail and mass transit system needs to be developed to alleviate it.

"As far as a commuter rail, that's a given," she said. "It's not only a thought out there. We must have a commuter rail."

Dayton's opponent, Mark Sumsion, tackled recycling in the city, saying it is up to individual residents to recycle. It costs money to recycle, he said, but it is the residents' attitudes that matter.

Melanie McCoard, who is running for the District 3 seat, said Provo needs to teach the next generation that recycling is important.

"The bottom line cannot be money," she said. "If it's the right thing to do, you do it even if it's going to cost money. If it's the wrong thing to do, you don't do it, even if it's going to cost you money."

Although the candidates were not asked to share their opinions on school vouchers and Provo's Downtown Business Alliance, they were asked to stand based on their opinions.

Johnson, Turley and Sumsion all stood in support of vouchers, while Porter and Everett remained seated. Sandstrom, McCoard and Dayton stood up only halfway.

The candidates all stood up in support of the idea for the city of Provo to financially support the business alliance.

A question that took some candidates by surprise was how to reduce carbon emissions and support clean energy in the city. Turley said the matter was not his priority, and he would rather focus on quality of life for Provo residents.

Other candidates supported the idea of solar panels to cut down on electricity use, and Sandstrom said many things are already in place, like roundabouts. The roundabouts at intersections cut down on idling cars and lowers emissions, she said.

The bottom line, most agreed, was to take steps where possible to use other energy sources.

"We have to make good decisions today to have clean air and good lungs in the future," Sumsion said.

• Janice Peterson can be reached at 344-2548 or jpeterson@heraldextra.com.