They're community leaders, neighborhood fixtures, passionate advocates for enhancing the quality of life in their district.

The denizens of District 3 in Salt Lake City will be well-served by electing Stan Penfold and Phil Carroll to four-year terms on the City Council in the Nov. 3 election. Trouble is, they'll have to choose.

After interviewing the candidates and critiquing their credentials, the Tribune Editorial Board can attest that the decision won't be easy. Both candidates are seeking their first elected office and come equipped with key endorsements, impressive resumes and the requisite service on the Greater Avenues Community Council, which often serves as a launching ground for the District 3 City Council seat.

Carroll, 65, is executive director of Community Housing Services Inc., a nonprofit organization that operates 1,200 affordable-housing units for Utah families and senior citizens. Penfold, 52, has been the executive director of the Utah AIDS Foundation for the past 10 years.

On the issues, the candidates are more alike than not.

Both view monster homes as a threat to the character and integrity of their neighborhoods, and the quality of life in their district. Carroll believes historic district overlays are the key to preserving streetscapes, and favors a review of city zoning ordinances with an eye to taming monster homes. Penfold wants the city to be proactive instead of reactive on planning and zoning issues, to create distinct micro-zones instead of painting all neighborhoods with the same broad brush, to rewrite the District 3 neighborhood plans over the next four years, and to conduct an extensive review and overhaul of city master plans and zoning ordinances to take McMansions off the menu.

Penfold and Carroll both support the bond issue on the fall ballot for a new public safety complex, but Carroll is not content with a proposed location just east of Library Square, preferring to build about three blocks to the west.

Each has reservations about allowing neighborhood bars, but Penfold supports small, neighborhood restaurants with liquor service.

And both back Mayor Ralph Becker's proposed nondiscrimination ordinance, which would afford the city's gay community protection against discrimination in housing and employment.

Penfold gets our vote, a decision based more on the energy, drive and personality he displays, speaking with passion about his plans to protect and preserve his district. But either way, we believe the winner will serve the district well.