Collected and calm, Carlton Christensen foresees a potential fourth term on the Salt Lake City Council as a road map.
It will take a steady grip, he reckons, to steer the planning of a groundbreaking airport TRAX train, the overhaul of North Temple and the massive Northwest Quadrant master plan.
Fiery and focused, his opponent Leslie Reynolds-Benns is less interested in the journey than short-term solutions for District 1. She wants to crack the gangs and crack down on the prostitutes roaming North Temple. "It's rampant" says Reynolds-Benns, a drug and alcohol counselor, author and religious minister. "If elected, I would declare it's a new day for the west side, because I'm not going to take it anymore."
Those odds seem long. Four years ago, Christensen, a community-redevelopment representative for Zions Bank, trounced Reynolds-Benns. September's 70 percent to 25 percent primary election margin nearly prompted Reynolds-Benns to quit the race. And, based on campaign-finance disclosures, Christensen holds more than a 3-to-1 money lead.
What's more, the moderate Republican who is endorsed by Mayor Ralph Becker, Democrat, enjoys a reputation across Rose Park, Westpointe and Jordan Meadows as an effective voice in City Hall.
Still, his plain-spoken challenger argues Christensen either has glossed over problems or failed to find a solution.
"He's a big deal in the larger Salt Lake City, while he's neglected the west side," she charges. "I'll stand up and shout."
And it starts with street walkers turning tricks. Reynolds-Benns bristles when recalling the day she and her husband saw a prostitute service two "Johns" near Wienerschnitzel. "We should not tolerate prostitutes in family neighborhoods," she says. "They could be moved west of 1900 West if the police wanted to."
The therapist pledges to fight for grants to get prostitutes into drug court and potentially off the streets.
She also vows to hold town-hall meetings, if elected, to familiarize families with the pressures placed on kids to join gangs. "Parents' denial is part of the problem," she says.
Reynolds-Benns praises the planned makeover of North Temple into a so-called "Grand Boulevard," a move she hopes will usher in investment and the end of negative stereotypes. She also is thrilled with the Northwest Quadrant master plan, a multi-year effort to guide the growth along the city's wide-open corner. "It's totally self-sustaining," she says of the document she helped craft. "Even the sewage system will make gray water to water our lawns. Hopefully, we protect the fragile lands around there."
Reynolds-Benns lived briefly in Mexico and speaks Spanish. She is active in a Baptist church and uses her therapist role for outreach in the community. She talks often of equal treatment: A district that ignores stereotypes based on race, religion or economic status.
Taking nothing for granted, Christensen has campaigned hard, raised more than $20,000 and won the support of power brokers from both parties.
He views responsible growth across the city's northwest neighborhoods and boosting public safety as top priorities. And the 12-year City Council veteran takes issue with Reynolds-Benns' suggestion that he has ignored gangs or prostitutes.
"Is your sole effort in just arresting them, or do you try to create an environment where they don't flourish?" he asks. Christensen argues the key on North Temple is fostering a "24-7 environment" -- with more business and housing -- so eyes on the street can help reduce the crime. He also advocates aggressive drug intervention to help remove the prostitutes. "I'm not turning a blind eye toward it," he says.
Christensen insists he repeatedly has voted to provide resources for police to tackle gangs. And he points to a record of fostering small business when the city's budget allows. "At the end of the day, they carry the bulk of the weight in our community."
The incumbent also raves about the Northwest Quadrant master plan. He says the capital suddenly has the tools to ensure responsible growth, protect wetlands, center development around transit and avoid sprawl.
"Here we have a blank slate," he says. "The challenge going forward is getting consensus. It's not something that is a one-night briefing."
Christensen is equally enthusiastic about airport reconstruction, anticipated in phases during the next decade. "It's a huge economic generator not just for the city," he says, "but for the whole Intermountain region."
On bringing business to the west side
Christensen » Says challenge is twofold in courting jobs and employers. "We are doing exceptionally well." Most of the economic growth in the city right now is happening on the west side, particularly in industrial parks west of Interstate 215. "We forget there are as many or more employees in those areas as downtown." Says the city needs to create better environment to nurture retail, but sees North Temple as key.
Reynolds-Benns » "It's absolutely essential -- I've been harping on this for the last four years." Been a vocal critic of neglecting North Temple, supports upgrades there. "We need stores, we need good restaurants, not fast-food restaurants."
On combating crime
Reynolds-Benns » "Nothing has been done to prevent gangs, and that starts in grade school." Is concerned about prostitutes cruising North Temple -- "it's a big issue," she says -- and is pushing City Attorney's Office to address the problem.
Christensen » "It's a never-ending battle." Recognizes budget constraints, but wants to push for more public-safety money. Says we must get kids involved in things besides gangs. "The scary part that I'm starting to see is how it's generational. We need to break that cycle."
On the airport TRAX line
Christensen » "It's clearly an incredible opportunity, the likes of which I don't think the west side's ever seen." Says the city needs to make sure plan and resources are in place to take advantage. Wants another term to bring that expertise and not put city through learning curve.
Reynolds-Benns » "I love it. This is the thing that will change this whole community. It's too bad it wasn't done when the Olympics came through and we wouldn't be talking about these issues now. It will bring more walkable communities."
Leslie Reynolds-Benns
Age » 68
Experience » Counselor who teaches alcohol, drug prevention and anger management to court-referred clients; decadelong chaplain at University Hospital; ran consulting firm for nuclear-power industry; served on Northwest Quadrant planning committee; two-time chairwoman of Westpointe Community Council.
Family » Husband Robb, three children, plus nine stepchildren; lived in Westpointe for nine years.
Fun fact » In late-1970s, lived in primitive Mexican village for 1 1/2 years -- accessible only by boat -- with no running water; calls it highlight of her life.
Carlton Christensen
Age » 43
Experience » Community-redevelopment representative for Zions Bank; former Utah Quality Growth commissioner; RDA chairman and ex officio member of Salt Lake Airport Board; serves on Associates Board for the Utah Museum of Natural History and on Utah's Solid and Hazardous Waste Control Board.
Family » Wife Cathleen, two daughters; lifelong Salt Lake City resident who lives in same Rose Park house he grew up in.
Fun fact » Dresses up for Halloween and tries every year to sneak into City Hall in a different costume; also has "embarrassing" monkey-sound routine that he performs for his daughters and their friends.
