So much more than Mrs. MarketPlace!

Businesswoman, lawyer and potential Common Councillor for the Corporation of Hamilton — if there's one thing you can say about Pamela Ferreira, it's that she is not afraid of trying different things and then doing them well.

Most of us know her as the owner of Wheels Cycles and the MarketPlace Stores, but there is much more to her than that.

With such an active role in running Bermuda's largest supermarket chain, which she started in 1979 with her late husband Alvin, who would have thought she had time for anything else?

But that's simply not quite the case. In addition to being the mother of two children, Kristen and David, she also found time to qualify as a lawyer. She graduated from the University of Bristol in 1989 and then worked for the Bristol City Council providing legal counsel and support. Mrs. Ferreira believes this experience will be invaluable in working for the Corporation, if she is elected.

"Both my children are now also lawyers," she said.

"One of my proudest moments was when my daughter and I were called to the Bermuda Bar together in 2002 (pictured, right).

"We were the first mother and daughter to be called together."

She then worked with local law firm Mello, Jones & Martin.

She is also deeply interested in education and in preserving Bermuda's rich culture through the arts. She currently serves on several school boards, the Family Centre board, and is chairman of the Masterworks Foundation. She is also proud that in 2004 she was nominated and elected as an honouree of the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World, which is a not-for-profit organisation that was established to identify, honour, promote and encourage female entrepreneurial excellence.

So why now on top of all this, is she running for Common Councillor?

She said: "I am deeply concerned about maintaining the integrity of a city that is important to all of us; that, essentially, is the hub of the Island.

"We need to ensure that Hamilton grows into a 21st century city without losing the charm and character of all things that have made it as special as it is, and that includes our existing architecture."

Believing that strategic plans must be made today in order to guarantee the city's continued success and prosperity, she said: "In my view, some of the things to be considered are the reduction of traffic congestion and truly understanding how much commercial and residential development the city can sustain.

"I am equally concerned about the safety and cleanliness of our city, a city in which I have businesses and a vested interest.

"I would like to know that people can enjoy the City at any time day or night, shop in its stores, visit its restaurants, bars and cafés, and feel safe."

Mrs. Ferreira says that she supports more Police on the streets and the use of closed circuit TV to improve safety.

But it doesn't stop there, she also wants to be involved in the development of North Hamilton, a part of the city she feels has great potential. Another consideration that she would like to see is the possible pedestrianisation of Reid Street and/or other areas in Hamilton that may add to the city's character and increase overall use.

She knows that these are just a few of the issues that will determine the commercial viability and cultural vitality of the City of Hamilton for years to come. Does this mean that Mrs. Ferreira thinks she has all the answers for the City of Hamilton?

"Not at all!" she says. "Yes, I will use my energy together with my business and legal background for the betterment of the city.

"However, I realise that there is a lot to learn about the inner workings of the city and I believe that I need to become familiar with all of this before I can really be effective.

"I am a huge advocate of the 'ground up' approach."

Her down-to-earth nature is demonstrated in the way she has brought up her children. When her son David wanted a summer job in the Marketplace Stores, there was no privileged treatment for him. "I wanted him to learn the business from the bottom up," says Pam.

"So he was put in the basement area and now appreciates that no job should be looked down upon. That's quite an amazing career start for someone who became the 2004 Bermuda Rhodes Scholar!" She has committed not only herself but those around her to being an example of best practice principles and good management in order to effect positive change. But when it is all said and done, she also happily points out that, being in the grocery business, she is really just a "bread and milk" woman!

The elections for the post of City of Hamilton Common Councillor will be held today from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.