The 50-year-old businessman wants to grab one of two common councillor vacancies. And, if successful, he has vowed to breathe new life into north Hamilton.

He put his name forward just 24 hours before today's 1 p.m. nomination deadline for the April 19 elections.

Former banker and Sportseller owner Mr. Sutherland Madeiros has also entered the fray.

But it is believed president of the Business and Professional Women's Association Mrs. Dolores Darrell will drop out of the running.

Last week she hinted at withdrawing if a third candidate came forward. This would allow Mr. Minors and Mr. Madeiros to be sworn in today -- unopposed.

Meanwhile, there are also two aldermen posts up for grabs.

One vacancy follows alderman Mr. Neville Conyers' decision to step down after 22 years on the Corporation.

And the other vacancy has been opened up by senior alderman and deputy Mayor Mr. Bill Boyle's bid for the Mayoralty.

He has decided to run against the 78-year-old Rt. Wor. Cecil Dismont on April 19 -- setting up the first such contest in 60 years.

Senior councillors Lawson Mapp and Knick Knack owner Mr. David A. White have declared they want to fill the two aldermen positions.

And it is expected they will be sworn in today.

Mr. William Frith should hold on to the third aldermen post.

Yesterday Mr. Minors revealed several people close to the Corporation had pressed for him to throw his hat into the ring.

He believed he could be a powerful voice on the organisation for north Hamilton -- known as "the back of town''.

As the general manager of Tools & Equipment -- which has premises in North Street and Ewing Street -- he knew the area well.

"I pledge to fight for their interests.'' He added he would battle to target a bigger slice of the Corporation's budget to north Hamilton.

"This part of town is desperately in need of many things, and needs upgrading. There are a lot of derelict buildings.

"I will go out and solicit the views of people who are in that part of town, but I have no goals set in concrete at this time.'' Mr. Minors, a father-of-two, was a senator between 1988 and 1992.

He was Parliamentary Secretary for three ministries -- Education, Community and Cultural Affairs, and Environment.