One of Bermuda's more quietly spoken politicians is going head to head with one of the loudest as St. George's West voters get ready to pick between two outwardly contrasting characters.

Incumbent Progressive Labour Party MP Dean Foggo, a backbencher for the past four years, describes himself as a "quiet storm" — and warns people not to misjudge him because of his understated veneer.

His challenger, the outspoken Opposition Senate Leader Kim Swan, refers to himself as a "voice of St. George's" and says he has attempted to keep local issues at the forefront of national politics in recent years despite not being an elected member.

In 2003, Mr. Foggo pipped Mr. Swan by just 22 votes, and Constituency Two — like the other St. George's seats — is expected to produce another tight battle on December 18.

Voters speaking to The Royal Gazette this week reflected on the differences between the pair.

Kent Ming of Teenie Weeny restaurant at the Wellington Oval, said: "Dean Foggo needs a stronger presence. Kim is seasoned; he comes around here regularly. He's cool."

One man, a neighbour of Mr. Foggo in Suffering Lane, said: "Mr. Foggo has got to be more visible. He's really humble and quiet, but when it comes around to this time of the year you need to see him."

Local taxi driver William Tucker argued Mr. Foggo's demeanour did not render him ineffective: "They are different in personalities. I think Mr. Swan will work hard but I'm sure if there's an issue with his constituents, Mr. Foggo would have spoken up."

They may differ in styles, but both candidates agree on one thing: fear of crime is a crucial factor in an area where residents have been frustrated by the closure of their nearest Police station since January 2.

Mr. Foggo points to the pending revamping and reopening of the York Street facility, promised by Public Safety Minister David Burch earlier this week.

Mr. Swan argues the United Bermuda Party had been calling for a 24-hour presence at the Police station for months — and that Lt. Col. Burch's announcement came just days after the UBP pledged it would restore service if voted into power.

Residents speaking to us bemoaned recent Police response times to incidents and called for better street lighting to help people feel safe as they walk home at night.

Incidents this year have included an American couple getting robbed at gunpoint in an East End guesthouse in August. Police would not reveal the exact whereabouts of the incident, although St. George's Mayor Mariea Casey insisted it was not in the Town of St. George's. Prompting suggestions that East End visitors were at one stage being targeted, a 24-year-old American was mugged in Penno's Drive later that month.

One St. George's West resident said he would not currently venture into town late at night because of talk of troublemakers with machetes.

Mr. Tucker said: "At the moment the Police take in excess of five minutes to get where there's a problem. That's a major concern for all of us. This year there's been less Police presence. People can take liberties. There were attacks on visitors this year.

"The sad part about it from a residents' point of view is that there doesn't appear to be any activity going on at the old Police station with regard to fixing it up.

"Why would they close the building before having a plan in place to completely renovate it? Get the construction workers in, fix it, and get the Police back in."

Mr. Ming called for lighting in the Wellington Slip Road area.

"The ladies work late behind the bar sometimes, and they need street lighting when they leave," he said.

"We had an incident there one night — they had gathered out there but the light was out. A lot of residential areas need more lighting."

Dwayne Tavares, 23, who lives in a new home at Anchorage Villas, said: "It's pretty nice round here, but it's the really simple things like putting more lights. You could feel safer. They are putting houses here but, at night time, it's dark."

There are 16 units in the $4.5 million Anchorage Villas project, which was opened about a year ago as part of Government's attempts to tackle an affordable housing crisis. Mr. Tavares said he and his mother find the $2,200 rent reasonable, though he added more needed to be done on similar initiatives across the Island.

A long-running saga for the whole of St. George's has been the on-off plan to turn the former Club Med resort, which closed in 1988, into a new five-star hotel.

Last week, Premier Ewart Brown announced Government was in the final stages of negotiations with St. Regis — seven months after he called a press conference to reveal hotel operator Bazarian International had won the contract to carry out the scheme.

A string of developers have been lined up to transform Club Med over the years, but each has fallen by the wayside.

This year, further controversy has surrounded the site, on the boundary of St. George's West and North, after dozens of homeless people moved in as squatters. The Premier said eight to ten were still there last week.

Referring to last week's press call, Mr. Tucker said: "Residents in St. George's expected to see Dr. Brown standing up in front of Club Med. Everyone in St. George knew there would be an announcement for a hotel in Club Med. I think it happens before every election.

"But for whatever reason, the Government of the day is very good at coming up with why it hasn't happened."

He declined to say who he would vote for, but said: "I'll give you a hint: I own a taxi."

Mr. Tavares on the other hand suggested Mr. Swan and Mr. Foggo — and the two parties they represent — have a lot of convincing to do over the next few weeks.

"To me, it seems like it's the same UBP, PLP — who cares?" he said. "I haven't even seen anybody. It's all the same to me. I haven't decided. I don't think I'll vote."