Here's a rundown of the Oct. 4 primary hopefuls and their goals if elected. The races officially are nonpartisan, though party politics can play a role.

District 1 is the northwest side of the city and includes the Rose Park, Fairpark and Jordan Meadows neighborhoods.

Leslie Benns - 64, counselor and Democrat - would focus on implementing an existing revitalization plan for North Temple. She said the plan calls for transit-oriented development and high-density housing around a future TRAX line to the airport.

Carlton Christensen - 39, business analyst and Republican - is running for a third four-year term. His main aim would be completing a master plan for the city's northwest quadrant, which includes 6,000 acres west of the airport. "This is a one-shot deal to do a truly master-planned community."

F. Joseph Irish - 60, industrial engineer and Republican - said his main priority is "getting rid of these narcotics dealers."

Terry W. Jessop - 53 and business owner who says he supports both parties - would focus on reducing crime by requiring pawnshop owners to take photos of all items being pawned, as well as fingerprint and photograph people pawning goods. "People steal things, they pawn them, and they turn them into drugs. We've got to break that cycle."

Arnold M. Jones - 41, former restaurant manager and Democrat - eventually wants to run for U.S. president. His top priority is to "bring the community together" with activities that draw residents from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. He also wants to find more money for police and after-school programs.

District 3 is the northeast side of the city including the Avenues and Capitol Hill neighborhoods.

Edward James Aho - 63, business owner and Republican - said he would want to analyze the budget. He also wants to "look at the reasons why the council and the mayor's office don't seem to be able to get anything done without bopping heads."

Derek Dyer - 30, artist and Democrat - is running to "add a more progressive voice to the City Council," saying the incumbent is too conservative. Dyer's top priorities are revitalizing downtown with art uses and protecting the environment by expanding recycling and protecting open space.

Janneke House - 23, Salt Lake County open-space coordinator and Democrat - said protecting open space is a top goal, along with addressing monster homes in the Avenues by possibly expanding the neighborhood's historic-district boundaries along with other zoning changes.

Eric Jergensen - 46 and a business owner who said he leans Republican - is running for a second term. His goals include addressing monster homes, calming traffic and encouraging downtown housing. He is eyeing a run for city mayor in 2007. "What is important right now is this race."

District 7 is the southeast side of the city including Sugar House and Liberty Wells neighborhoods. Incumbent Dale Lambert decided not to run for a second term.

Matt Dalton - 35, who works for a commercial flooring company and is a self-described political moderate - said a priority is making Sugar House more pedestrian-friendly by adding more bike lanes, for example. "When you do that, you increase the safety factor in neighborhoods."

Amy Jordan - 30, stay-at-home-mom and Republican - said her goals include forging "more constructive relationships with our neighboring communities," calming traffic and preserving open space. "I'm a wife and a mother. I see a lot of what goes on in this community on those levels."

Gordon Poulson - 39, business owner and Republican - said his main goal would be revitalizing downtown. "There are places downtown, they need to be picked up. We need to be a more business-friendly city, attract businesses to downtown." He said there is too much gridlock between the council and mayor.

Gary A. Riehle - 40, concrete worker and Libertarian - said the council has been too conservative. His main goal is continuing to make the city more green-friendly and he supports purchasing wind power and replacing lights with more efficient bulbs. "Utah is known for its natural beauty. We should do what we can to keep it that way."

Soren D. Simonsen - 37, architect, urban planner and Democrat - would focus on neighborhood preservation, from addressing monster homes to protecting local businesses when commercial centers are redeveloped with city money. "I would like to use my expertise to help my own community."

Danny Walz - 33, Midvale Redevelopment Agency director who is unaffiliated politically - once worked for the capital's RDA. One goal would be finishing and implementing the master plan for the Sugar House business district. "I've got experience as a public servant."

hmay@sltrib.com

Available candidate

Web sites:

District 1: Carlton Christensen: http://www.votecarlton.org/

Leslie Benns: http://electlesliebenns.com/

District 3: Derek Dyer: http://derekdyer.com/

Janneke House: http://votehouse.org/

Eric Jergensen: http://voteforeric.org/

District 7: Gordon Poulson: http://poulsons.net/

Soren Simonsen: http://vote4soren.com/

Danny Walz: http://vote4walz.com/

To see who is donating to the candidates, go to http://slcgov.com/recorder/elections.htm and click on "Campaign Finance Reporting."