The candidates battling to become Mayor of Hamilton tomorrow are poles apart on key issues facing the city.

Sonia Grant and Sutherland Madeiros have different views on subjects ranging from controversial waterfront redevelopment plans to paying members of the Corporation.

Miss Grant, a former Deputy Mayor, would become the first-ever woman in the top job if victorious. Pundits are predicting a close-fought battle between her and Mr. Madeiros, who has used his close friendship with late Mayor Jay Bluck as a key aspect of his campaign. The winner will take charge of the city?s $20 million annual budget.

The election was prompted by the death on September 1 of Mr. Bluck, 65, who had only been voted into the top job four months previously. Miss Grant was narrowly beaten in that election, losing by just 21 votes. In a campaign leaflet, she listed her 13 years of experience on the Corporation as Acting Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Alderman as a key benefit. She said her first task if elected would be to ?ascertain where the Corporation is? with regard to policing, a new hotel, a traffic study, the review of building heights and the waterfront redevelopment.

Miss Grant is single, with no children. She lives in Devonshire, having grown up in the city. An attorney by profession, she declined to reveal her age.

Tomorrow marks Mr. Madeiros?s first bid for Mayor.

In his campaign literature, the 61-year-old stressed his ?shared vision? with Mr. Bluck. Currently serving as an Alderman, he rejoined the Corporation in April after a six year break, following an initial six-year stint. He listed top priorities as an increased Police presence in the city, strengthening its financial position, reviewing building height restrictions and promoting public artwork. He also wants the Corporation to be a drug-free workplace, backing mandatory drug testing for all 160 workers.

Mr. Madeiros is retired, having previously owned Hamilton stores Sportseller and Locomotion and spent 22 years with Bank of Bermuda. He lives in Smith's, and is married to Susan, with two grown-up daughters.

Lawson Mapp, who was ousted as Mayor by Mr. Bluck, expects the fight at City Hall to be tight. He refused to be drawn on which way he would vote, but making reference to the fact that Miss Grant would be the first woman Mayor, said he suspected ?black women at least? would favour her because of this.

Common Councillor Graeme Outerbridge, who lost the 2003 Mayoral election to Mr. Mapp, said he strongly supported Miss Grant as he believed she was committed to making the Corporation more transparent and inclusive and had ?a wealth of experience.? He predicted her to win by a margin of 30.

While Acting Mayor David Dunkley has thrown his backing behind Miss Grant too, high-profile property developer and former UBP Premier Sir John Swan has come out in favour of Mr. Madeiros.

He told The Royal Gazette earlier this month: ?I believe his proven and tested managerial skills together with the time and energy to fully devote himself to the job and his vision for the city of Hamilton makes him an ideal candidate for the post of Mayor.?