From the older neighborhoods of Kalihi, Nu'uanu and Pauoa to the high-rise communities of Makiki and Kapi'olani, more than 91,000 people live in City Council District 6.

Many of the concerns of residents here resemble those across the island: Folks here worry about crime and rising property tax bills and want to see the roads fixed.

Because these communities border urban Honolulu, residents worry less about traffic than those who live in the suburbs.

This year they have a choice between re-electing a longtime lawmaker, council member Rod Tam, a tireless campaigner who doesn't shy away from controversial ideas and has faced his share of criticism, or Mike Wilcox, a businessman and first-time candidate, whose auto-racing hobby got him interested in the political process.

Both are longtime residents of the district, work in private business and say they make their decisions based on common sense.

A handful of residents gathered on a weekday afternoon at Booth Park had few complaints about the city's treatment of the district.

Roland Albarado of Nu'uanu coaches Pop Warner football. He said he believes the district is improving. Because he works with children, he worries about crime and drugs.

But he sees things getting better, not worse. "They're patching up the roads," he said.

Challenger Wilcox is a partner in a small family-owned business in Pearl City and has worked as a recording engineer in Hawai'i for more than two decades.

This is his first run for office. His hobbies include dirt track auto racing and motorcycles. Since the closing of Hawai'i Raceway Park he's become more politically aware, and decided to run for the City Council after attending neighborhood board and community group meetings.

"I bring no political baggage or skeletons in my closet," he said. "I'm honest, accountable and hard-working."

He belongs to Save Oahu's Race Tracks, a group formed to keep motorsports activity thriving, "and not on Honolulu's roads." Although the racetrack issue got him going, Wilcox said it's not going to be his main focus if elected.

He said he wouldn't support any new increases to sewer rates, property taxes and vehicle fees but understands that some costs must be paid to keep up.

In the past, Wilcox said, the city should have been keeping up with maintenance better. "They put off too many improvements," he said. "There was a lot of waste that should not have been going on."

He favors an expanded bus system and worries that a rail transit system now being debated for Honolulu will be too expensive and not help ease traffic congestion enough. He supports building transit in segments to keep costs down.

He'd like to see a ban on drivers using their cell phones on the road.

Tam has served as a lawmaker for 24 years, first elected to the state House in 1982 and later to the state Senate, and to the City Council in 1994.

He said his main focus is working to "maintain the family-oriented lifestyle for my family, neighbors and residents of my community."

Tam said his knowledge of government has helped him to fight against unwanted developments near St. Francis Medical Center, on Huna Street and in Pacific Heights and Nu'uanu as well as the plan to build high-rise condominiums on state land in Kaka'ako.

He wants to focus on communicating with those in his community about key city issues and preserving the residential lifestyle. Tam said he has been pushing for improvements in roads and sewers for the district.

Tam said he left state office to run in city government because of citizens' concerns about roads, sewers and other city issues.

He plans to work more to try to offer tax relief to property owners frustrated by higher taxes driven by market sales. "They have no plans to move and sell," he said.

Tam said the city could collect less in taxes and make up the loss in revenue by financial management that emphasizes short-term urgent items balanced with long-term goals.

He acknowledges that he's faced criticism for his sometimes surprising and outspoken stands.

Two years ago, the city Ethics Commission ruled that he violated ethics laws by appearing on behalf of private interests, including one that paid him $3,100 to get permits from the city Department of Planning and Permitting.

Tam said he wasn't using his office improperly but no longer helps others with their permits because of the commission opinion.

As a state lawmaker, his proposal to legislate naps and snacks drew ridicule. But he said the issue was misunderstood as one where he was standing up for the rights of government workers to take naps out of public view on their lunch hours.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.