Sonia Grant, who was narrowly beaten in the last Corporation of Hamilton election, will bid once again to become the city's first female Mayor.

Miss Grant lost to Jay Bluck by just 21 votes when Hamilton went to the polls in April. Mr. Bluck, 65, died of a heart attack on September 1 after just four months in the top job. A fresh election will now be held on October 26 for the position of Mayor, which brings responsibility for the city's $20 million annual budget.

An attorney by profession, Miss Grant told The Royal Gazette she decided to stand again because of "tremendous encouragement" to do so from the people of Hamilton.

Policing the streets of the city was a major topic of debate last time around.

Miss Grant said she was pleased there are now more officers on patrol, although sad this seemed to have been sparked by the gun murder of Jason Lightbourne on Ord Road, Paget, in July.

Former Major Lawson Mapp unveiled a controversial $639 million blueprint in March to redevelop Hamilton waterfront, which included filling in part of the harbour to create new land and moving the container docks away from the city.

Miss Grant said she was in favour of the part of the plan that would give Albouy's Point "a major brush up" and improve facilities for cruise ship passengers.

However, she said: "If the cargo docks are going to be removed, I want to know where is the (revenue) money coming from? The Corporation earns $10 million per year from goods that come across the dock."

Mr. Bluck had launched a review of the City of Hamilton Plan, with a view to reconsidering current regulations limiting the heights of buildings.

Miss Grant, who lives in Devonshire but was raised in the city, said: "I don't want ten storey buildings, but certainly seven storey buildings. I agree that buildings have to be somewhat higher in the city."

Corporation Alderman Sutherland Madeiros announced plans last month to run in the election. A long-term friend of Mr. Bluck, he said: "I've been encouraged to run. Jay Bluck encouraged me to run to support him when he was mayor and I share a lot of the vision that he did."

David Dunkley, who has been filling as Acting Mayor, has previously stated he was considering putting his name forward. He could not be reached yesterday.

Former Mayor Mr. Mapp, who served as mayor from 2000 until he was defeated by Mr. Bluck this year said he was unlikely to stand again. "I served on the Corporation from 1979 to 2006. It is a challenge to run a business and make money and do Corporation work. "I still have the City at heart but without some form of remuneration to be mayor I'm unlikely to stand, even though quite a few people have asked me to stand again."

The last Corporation saw saw just 231 people turn out to vote. Only 387 business owners and residents were registered to vote, out of an estimated 1000 eligible.

Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Kelly Miller, said around 40 new registrations were received in the weeks leading up to yesterday's election announcement, following a push by the Corporation.

Ms Miller said that now notice of the election had been given, no new applicants could be registered until after the election.

Nomination day for candidates is Thursday, 19 October at City Hall between 11 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. Nomination forms can be picked up from City Hall. Voting will take place on October 26, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.