Marv Hendrickson studied carpentry at a technical school, then launched a career in construction and, ultimately, real estate.

Both value hard work, have an easy rapport with "real people," and have precious little experience in public office.

Yet, as they face off for the Salt Lake County Council District 6 seat, both candidates find themselves on the defensive against that crucible of politics: conflict of interest.

Cage, the Democratic challenger, has a long tenure with the Salt Lake County Fire Department, now called the Unified Fire Authority. If elected, he would become the second county firefighter serving on the council if Republican Michael Jensen wins a second term. Cage calls it a benefit.

"I view this as a continued extension of service to the community," says Cage, who served as a paramedic during the Olympic hockey games at West Valley City's E Center. "I feel like it may be beneficial to have someone who understands the inner workings of service delivery."

Hendrickson, the Republican incumbent, has spent four decades as a general contractor. He also is a 30-year member of a home builder's group but doesn't consider either a conflict.

"There are those who seem to think because you are a developer, you are in the pockets of the politicians," Hendrickson says. "After being in the business for 40 years, I can speak with knowledge about regulations."

However qualified both hopefuls purport to be for the District 6 job - representing the southeast corner of Salt Lake County including Cottonwood Heights and parts of Midvale, Sandy and Draper - there are stark differences.

They disagree, for instance, on the impacts of growth and the role of open space.

"For too long, big business has dictated the growth of our communities," says Cage, an advocate of more open space and more neighborhood parks.

"We can only afford so much open space," Hendrickson counters. "As soon as you go into the canyons, you have open space."

Hendrickson also backs private property rights on the benches and says he opposes more limits on foothill development. Salt Lake City's Capitol Hill and Marmalade districts, he notes, would not exist under today's regulations.

For his part, Cage would promote the county's tourism industry, particularly area ski resorts.

Cage also pledges to:

* Address services for the poor and elderly, including Meals on Wheels and year-round homeless shelters.

l Meet the needs of the county's labor force. "That way, you're participating in the community and you're able to go buy the washer and dryer."

Hendrickson vows to:

l Help the county diligently create and enforce master plans.

l Address the issue of townships in unincorporated areas. "That's something that was put together to stop annexations," he says. "But annexations are the lifeblood of the cities."

Both candidates support expanding the Salt Palace, renewing the ZAP tax, requiring lobbyists to register and creating a countywide police district.

djensen@sltrib.com