The fact there was a contested election for the mayoralty for the first time since 1934 may have broken with precedent, but it led to an informative debate on the City which has rarely been seen. That's good for everyone.

As outgoing Mayor Mr. Cecil Dismont said, it was a "fair battle'' and gave Hamilton's voters a good choice of who should lead the City in the near future.

Most people will be sorry to see Mr. Dismont leave Corporation politics.

When he was a Cup Match cricketer, he put his team first while playing with style and distinction. During his long tenure on the Corporation, he carried that philosophy to greater heights, putting the city's interests first, ruling by consensus and always behaving with dignity -- right up to his graceful concession on Tuesday night.

A trailblazer as the first black mayor of the city, Mr. Dismont can look back at several achievements of which he can be proud. He laid the groundwork for the Bull's Head carpark and commissioned the Dick Report on transportation.

He also provided leadership during the last docks dispute, working hard as landlord of the docks to ensure that the Island's "lifeline'' remained open.

Afterwards, his Corporation commissioned the Barbera Report which again is a good guide for the future of Hamilton docks.

It is perhaps befitting that as the Mayor who oversaw Hamilton's 200th anniversary, he has been an open mayor who has given attention tothe whole of the City -- and not just Front Street.

During the entire period, he ensured that the Corporation remained in sound financial shape -- no easy task when the recession was wreaking havoc with Hamilton's revenues. That may well have been his greatest achievement.

The new mayor has equally important challenges before him.

Mr. Boyle made several pledges in the recent election and now has the harder task of keeping them.

His commitment to remain no longer than six years is in the best interests of the City because new blood is needed to keep the Corporation vital and up to date.

This will be needed as the Corporation oversees the construction of the multi-million dollar Bulls Head car park, carries out the Barbera Report's recommendations and makes sure the city can handle what are likely to be growing demands on its ability to manage traffic, collect garbage on a daily basis and pipe sewage out of the City.

Mr. Boyle also pledged to make the Corporation more open and to dispel its image as a "club'' of businessmen.

He has said he wants to see the Mayor and his team of aldermen take more public positions and to make statements on behalf of the City.

His intentions are laudable and if they are carried through, they will help the Corporation manage the city better by drawing on the support of all the people who use Hamilton.

There is one step that will do more to open the City to the public than all the statements and press conferences Mr. Boyle may be planning. He can move to open the Corporation's meetings to the public.

This would benefit not only the Corporation's limited franchise but all the people -- and they make up the majority of Bermudians -- who live or work in Hamilton.

It would be a lasting achievement by the new Mayor and his new Corporation and one which would get the new administration off on the right foot.