A former Hamilton councillor plans to arrange more events along the city’s Waterfront should he be elected mayor.

Michael Branco and Elmore Warren are vying for the mayoral position and registered their candidacies last month.

Mr Branco was elected common councillor during an extraordinary municipal election last year and also hopes to host more events in North Hamilton, where he canvassed last weekend.

He explained: “For decades we’ve talked about how we want to change [The Waterfront] from parking lots to more of an al fresco-style waterfront that everybody can come to.”

Mr Branco said this could begin with shutting down the area from the Birdcage to Pier Six to traffic on a Friday night, so restaurants can extend onto the street.

He added: “As we learn from that, then we know what we can do for Waterfront projects moving forward, what will resonate and where the investment should be made.”

Mr Branco, founder of investment company Celeste Ventures and ticketing firm Ptix, decided to run for mayor after Charles Gosling chose not to seek re-election.

He explained: “You can just talk to any walk of life in Bermuda in the city; that, for me, is the heart of Bermuda.

“That’s why it’s so important that we continue to run it well and help businesses and people in the city thrive — because ultimately that helps Bermuda”.

He said North Hamilton residents have been receptive and even invited him for codfish breakfast.

Mr Branco said: “Very quickly they figure out who my family is and it’s been really heart-warming to go through North Hamilton and just meet some friends of my parents and talk about some of the issues.”

He added: “It’s on us to bring more business into North Hamilton so that we can help that area thrive, because if we get North Hamilton thriving even more, that helps the city overall.”

Mr Branco plans to work with the Government to expand the capabilities of parking enforcement officers, address issues with the voter roll and have the Corporation of Hamilton directly collect parking fines.

He said: “I’ve had some great meetings in the city council on all those topics and it’s all possible. I think we can put it all into the reform and go to the House together to the help upgrade what we can do in the city.”

Mr Branco believes municipal elections keep leaders accountable for their actions more than having an appointed mayor and councillors, which the Municipalities Reform Act 2026 aimed to do.

He explained: “If you’re appointed then you’re not accountable to the residents and users of the city, where if I do a bad job as mayor, I’ll get voted out, so I think this is the right mechanism to have for both [Hamilton and St George].”

Mr Branco urged Hamilton residents and business owners to make their voices heard tomorrow.

He told the voters: “With me you get both the business and the dedication to the residents in North Hamilton. That’s why I’m out there knocking on doors, pounding the pavement and introducing myself to people who don’t know me. I really want to see the city grow and thrive.”