Elections for Corporation of Hamilton posts are set for October 9 with nomination day a week earlier.

Mayor Lawson E. Mapp is stepping down after a three-year term while Senior Alderman David White is standing for the top job.

Corporation Secretary Roger Sherratt said Councillor Harriett Kenien was not standing for re-election for business reasons.

"Lawyer Sonia Grant will likely be standing for the vacant seat of an Alderman," said Mr. Sherratt.

"With Councillor Grant moving to Alderman, and Councillor Kenien stepping down, there would be two vacancies for Councillor."

Candidate nomination forms for the unpaid posts are available from the Secretary at City Hall, and must be nominated and seconded by two persons on the Voters' Register.

Candidates must be registered voters listed on the Corporation Voters' Register. There are approximately 500 voters on the current register.

Voters must either own a home or business in the City or be a residential or commercial tenant paying taxes.

The Hamilton Voter's Register will be closed once the official notice for an Election has been published which is at least ten days prior to Nomination Day. Unlike Parliamentary Elections there is no requirement to re-register on an annual basis.

Shower with your meal?

An enterprising Island eatery is offering customers the ultimate way to freshen up for a night out.

The prestigious Fourways Inn is offering dinner and a shower, or more precisely, shower and a dinner to help power-less customers through the post-Fabian era.

One of the cottages at the Middle Road inn has been set aside for washing with customers being allowed ten minutes to get cleaned up for dinner.

The altruistic offer began last night and the response to an advert in yesterday's The Royal Gazette was "very positive," according to catering manager Andreas Detzer.

"I was talking to the general manager this week and said that business was pretty slow," said Mr. Detzer. "I guess people don't want to come out for dinner when their power is out and they don't feel like it. Then it came to us, showers.

"That was it. We have set aside one cottage so if people come for dinner, they can shower. It is simple. If you are stuck at home without power and don't feel like going out, then this way you can go out, get cleaned up, and have a wonderful meal."

Fourways will keep the offer, which applies to both the $29.75 early dinner special as well as the outdoor Palm Garden, available until power is restored to more homes and demand for the service drops off.

Group business still drawn to Island

Despite the closure of the Fairmont Southampton for up to six months, Bermuda is still holding onto a lot of the group business that was booked into the Island's largest hotel.

Fairmont Southampton manager Norman Mastalir said a number of these groups have switched their bookings to Elbow Beach and the Fairmont Hamilton rather than rescheduling out of Bermuda.

"I have been pleasantly surprised that a lot of the group business we had to cancel has rebooked at Elbow Beach or the Fairmont Hamilton," said Mr. Mastalir. "It shows that people are still interested in coming to Bermuda and are choosing to use these two hotels, which is good news for them."

Advice for damaged homes

Planning are warning Fabian-hit householders should replace water damaged electrical wires to avoid possible shorting.

And they are advising replacement roofs be low-pitched, with closed in rafters and moulding. Hurricane clips should be used with two metal screws for each concrete eave slate and wall plates should be anchor bolted to ring beams.

Government say its best to stick with the same materials when replacing tiles on partially damaged roofs. For information call planning on 297-7755.

Don't keep gasoline in the home

People hoarding large stocks of gasoline for home generators are warned it could give out inflammable vapours.

They are being told to remove the gasoline from houses and reminded that hoarding is unnecessary as there is no gasoline shortage.

Chief Fire Officer Vincent Hollinsid said he had information the public were storing large amounts of gasoline for use in portable electric generators which is a hazard. "This also poses a serious danger to fire fighters," he said.

Household hoarders are urged to remove gasoline containers immediately and put them in sheds away from electrical devices that may spark such as water pumps and water heaters.

Gasoline should be stored in approved containers only. Glass containers, plastic jerry jugs and "clorox" type bottles should not be used.

Concerts in the Park rescheduled

After a brief but windy intermission, the Concerts in the Park series are scheduled to continue but with a different date, time and venue.

`Melodies of Summer' replaces the September 14 concert that was scheduled in Victoria Park but a Bank of Butterfield press release said the venue was changed because the park is under repair after the damage sustained from Hurricane Fabian.

The September 21 concert is scheduled to be at Barr's Bay Park and the tentative performers include Jahstice Reggae Movement, Tempo, Prestige, Gita Blakeney and Robert Edwards, Stephanie P, and The James Richardson Trio. The concert, from 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., is free and will include a variety of food vendors and face painting for children.

For more information concerning the Concerts in the Park series call 298-6421.