St. George's Deputy Mayor Kenny Bascome believes the town needs not only a fully manned Police station but a fire station too.

Mr. Bascome said yesterday that he was formally in the running in next week's election for the position of mayor, against former Mayor E. Michael Jones.

If elected, he said his first order of business would be to organise a meeting with Police and Government officials to establish a Police station in the town.

"We have two banks in St. George's, and during the high season we have numerous yachts coming to Bermuda.

"I believe that a fully functional Police station would make the community far more comfortable."

He also said that because of St. George's position as a World Heritage Site, the town also needs a "fully functional" fire station.

"That was one of the conditions for becoming a World Heritage Site," he said. "The volunteer firefighters are just not working as efficiently as they need to be."

The Corporation, he said, needed to push for greater community involvement in the town, saying: "Once we convince residents of the value of shopping and being active in the community, the outside community will come automatically.

"I just don't think we're doing what needs to be done right now to convince people they need to come down here to shop."

Along with the two candidates for mayor, next Wednesday's election will see five candidates compete for three alderman positions, six candidates will vie for five common councillor positions.

In the running for alderman are Eric Garth Rothwell, Clarence Eugene Minors, Beau Evans, Louis Ricardo DeSilva and Kirby Brackstone.

Running for the position of councillor are Alfonso Harris, Steven Arthur Hollis, Eakin Carters McLaughlin, Renee D. Ming, Jamahl Snaith-Simmons and George Sutherland.

The poll will be held between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. in St. George's Town Hall.

Only voters registered in the municipality of St. George will be allowed to vote.