There are plenty of changes in Salt Lake County this year, what with a change in the form of government and all, with lots of new races and new faces running.
As far as Tuesday's primary is concerned, however, not much is happening, with only one intra-party race being contested. J. Chris Cage and Pete Kutulas are vying for the Democratic nomination in District 6.
District 6 includes Cottonwood Heights, Big and Little Cottonwood canyons, White City, Draper and parts of Holladay, Riverton, Bluffdale and Midvale.
The race can be characterized as new vs. old.
Kutulas, 66, has been around for a while. He served three two-year terms as county commissioner from 1972 to 1978, ran for sheriff in 1994 and served as field commander and lieutenant with the sheriff's office for many years. He is still a reserve police officer for Murray.
"It's in your blood," he said of law enforcement. "You can't get it out."
Kutulas said he's running because he wants to make sure the change from three commissioners to a mayor and nine-member council goes smoothly.
"There are a lot of pitfalls, and I feel like I'm qualified enough and familiar enough with county government to get it off and get it started," he said.
Kutulas, who considers himself a political moderate, said one of his primary goals will be to help keep staffing levels low for the new form.
"I can guarantee you there will be a tendency for this to burgeon out of control," he said.
Kutulas grew up in Salt Lake City and has lived in Cottonwood Heights 35 years.
Cage, like Kutulas, has made his career in public safety, but in his case it's the fire department. He has been a county firefighter 15 years. One of his primary interests is community health and safety, particularly focusing on service consolidation between county and cities.
"Crime doesn't stop at a city's borders," he said. "I see the county's role as really bringing the leadership on how to bring these municipalities together."
But it's not only police and fire. Cage says he would like to see a countywide recycling program and other service consolidation.
Cage also wants to focus on underrepresented populations, including the poor and elderly.
"I think I have a good working knowledge of what the citizens are interested in," he said.
The 43-year-old recognizes that he's the new kid on the block politically, but says that would help him bring a fresh perspective. Nevertheless, "I was probably the most surprised candidate to come out of the convention against the likes of Mr. Kutulas."
"A couple of years ago we were asked as firefighters to become more involved in our local government," he said. "This is one of the ways I can do it."
Cage, who also lives in Cottonwood Heights, has been a Salt Lake County resident 23 years. He is married with two children.
E-mail: alan@desnews.com