Mariea Caisey has completed her first job as the new Mayor of St. George's by assigning portfolios of responsibility to her three Aldermen.

At 10 a.m. this morning she will attend the Town Hall for the swearing-in of the three Aldermen and four councillors who will form her team for the next three years.

She is also due to reveal the identity of her deputy mayor.

And, in the near future, Ms Caisey is set to hold talks with Deputy Premier Dr. Ewart Brown regarding the future of the town wharf area after the pair met yesterday at a St. Luke's Church service for those lost at sea.

The Tourism Minister shook hands and congratulated Ms Caisey on her election success when the two briefly met.

When they have formal talks, she hopes Dr. Brown will be able to share some of the latest news on the Club Med resort developments following last week's revelation that a new developer has now been lined up to re-develop the hilltop site above the town.

Speaking of her first days as the new woman in charge, she said: "The Aldermen and myself have touched base over who is going to do what roles within the Corporation."

They had decided that one Alderman should be tasked with linking up the Corporation and the Police and Fire Services.

Edward Benevides has been assigned that role, and he will also look after the area's of building applications and property, while former Senator Kenneth Bascome will oversee the town's street maintenance and sanitation issues, and Beau Evans has the wharf and parks as his responsibility.

The top team have also decided that Wednesdays are the most convenient day to hold their weekly meetings.

In the short term Ms Caisey is re-integrating herself with the Corporation, having last been a member in 2003 when she was unsuccessful in her challenge for the mayorship, losing out to E. Michael Jones by two votes.

"I've asked for job descriptions for the staff so I know what their responsibilities are. I will touch base with that, getting up to date job descriptions and appraisals and tackling things that I have wanted to do," she said.

Before the election Ms Caisey spoke of her concerns about speeding bikes along Duke of York Street, uneven pavements, the damaged park gates and the introduction of pay and display parking in the Water Street car park.

Those issues remain her immediate priority list before she looks at other matters.

The level of support she has received since becoming mayor has also heartened her. She said: "The response has been favourable. People from all walks of life have been coming up to me and congratulating me, and saying that if I need any assistance to contact them.

"One resident told me she had heard me on the radio and was pleased that I was going to tackle the park gates because she goes past the damaged gates every day."

Upcoming major decisions for the town involve the future of the Club Med site, the question of Panamax size cruise ships negotiating the Town Cut and visiting the harbour and the redeveloping of the waterfront area.

Ms Caisey said she would not get excited about the rumblings surrounding possible re-development of the Club Med site until a contract had been signed with a developer, and with thoughts on what might need to happen if Panamax ships end up not being able to sail to the town, she believes there is mileage in the alternative ideas of bringing cruise passengers to St. George's by boat tender, fast ferry or buses.

Preparing for her first full week as mayor, bank manager Ms Caisey was optimistic that the town would appreciate a new style of leadership and the cohesion of her team.

"From my experience with the Bank of Bermuda, where everyone works as a team, I believe we have now a strong team for the town," she said.

And of her defeated opponent Mr. Jones, she said: "We are both passionate about St. George's. I wish him well. He has numerous businesses in the town and I'm sure they will keep him busy. We both have St. George's at heart and we gave the people a choice."

Ms Caisey won last Thursday's head-to-head mayoral election with 154 votes to Mr. Jones 151.

Only four candidates came forward for the five common councillor seats by the closing of the original nomination date. Clarence Minors, E. Anna Perry-Smith, Jill Raine and Erskine Calvin Simmons will take up their seats immediately.

The final councillor has yet to be either appointed or elected depending on how many candidates come forward by the revised nomination closing date of February 9.

If there are two or more nominations by the closing date an election will be held for the seat on February 16.