Five candidates will vie for three Alderman's positions in the Corporation of St. George's elections next week.

They include common councillor Clarence Minors and Board of Education member Garth Rothwell.

Mr. Minors, who has served in the role of common councillor for six years, is now hoping to make a difference as an Alderman. "I would like to play an integral part in turning this town around," he said. "As one of the constituents told me, St. George's is a sleeping giant."

He believes more work needs to be done to bring back cruise ships and establish hotels at the East End.

"We've been promised a hotel for 28 years now. Any municipality the size of St. George's without a hotel and a golf course is going to suffer."

Mr. Minors hopes to reintroduce a Police station in the Old Town to fight crime, which he says "has gotten completely out of hand".

And he said the Corporation needs to become more vocal if it wants to see things accomplished. "We appear to be Government's unforgotten stepchild," he said. "They spend millions and millions in Dockyard, and here we are a world heritage site recognised the world over.

"Over the last year we've heard so much about Bermuda's 400th anniversary. The truth is that St. George's is celebrating its 400th anniversary."

For change to happen the entire community must get involved, he said.

"I'm looking forward to getting in there and rolling up my sleeves."

Mr. Rothwell, co-owner of Robertson's Drugstore, said he intends to highlight the Old Town's past to help it move forward. "I don't think there's a single silver bullet to turn the town around, but our biggest strength is our history," he said.

He proposed the Corporation strengthen ties with The St. George's Foundation, The St. George's Historical Society and the Bermuda National Trust. And he suggested introducing historical walking tours.

Mr. Rothwell said: "We really need to complete the video surveillance system and get an increased Police presence, especially during the higher risk periods."

He conceded it could take some time to bring cruise ships to St. George's.

"We also need to talk to people in the local area, like the Grotto Bay Resort, Tuckers Point or even the airport to see what we can do to get those people into our town.

"We also need to promote St. George's more for the cruise ships that are visiting Dockyard, and make sure we have the ferries to bring them here."

The candidate said the Corporation needs to look into opening part of the St. George's Golf Course.

"We've already got a lot of things that other areas would give their teeth to get," he said.

"We've got beaches, forts and an excellent harbour. Right now we're losing our customer base, and we need to invigorate it again."

Former Deputy Mayor Louis 'Red' DeSilva, head of the St. George's Chamber of Commerce Kirby Brackstone and current Alderman Beau Evans are also running for the three positions.

The election will be held next Wednesday, December 2, between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the St. George's Town Hall.

Only voters registered in the municipality will be allowed to vote.