Former St. George's Mayor E. Michael Jones hopes to return to office next month to help the town mature past a single industry economy.

Mr. Jones said yesterday that he would be running for Mayor in the Corporation of St. George's elections, which will be held on December 2.

Current Mayor Mariea Caisey has said that she will not be running in the election, but will lend her support to current deputy mayor, Kenny Bascome.

Mr. Jones, the current Chairman of the Tourism Board, said the town was filled with opportunities, but it can no longer rely entirely on cruise ships. "The days of having a six-month season, dependant of the cruise ships, is no longer reasonable," he said. "If we can find a new ship, that would be great, but I believe our fortunes lie elsewhere."

Mr. Jones suggested that St. George's make greater efforts in attracting locals, saying: "We should be looking into the resident community."

The town's economy, he said, was also likely to improve with the construction of a new hotel on the former Club Med site. He believes that more information about the hotel will be released in the near future, saying: "I expect, being involved in the project personally, that there should be an announcement any day now."

Discussing the issue of crime in the old town, Mr. Jones said that he was against the presence of a Police station in St. George's, arguing that the money could better be spent on bolstering Police manpower.

"I have already made my view to the Minister that I did not support a Police station in St. George's," he said. "It's a waste of money when we have a Police station five minutes away in Southside. "I have always said I've never seen a Police station arrest anyone. Get constables patrolling the town on foot and in vehicles."

He criticised the current staffing at the St. George's station, saying: "The Police station, as far as I'm aware, is not manned late at night, and that's when the problems occur."

Despite the difficulties in the town, Mr. Jones said that St. George's could improve its situation.

"I think St. George's is an amazing town, filled with amazing people and an amazing history.

"There is every opportunity to take a meaningful step in the right direction."

While Mr. Jones is running for Mayor, Head of the St. George's Chamber of Commerce Kirby Brackstone hopes to become an Alderman in next week's election.

Mr. Brackstone said that the Corporation needed serious reform in order to better lead the community.

"It's the natural entity that can provide leadership for all of the organisations in St. George's," he said. "A big problem in St. George's right now is that there is no leadership."

He agreed that St. George's needed to work to bring more businesses to the town, saying: "We need to add a second or third leg to the economy. We're a one trick pony.

"There's enough people in the East End that local service providers can be successful."

While some businesses in the town are suffering, he said that several new businesses are taking their places, including a fish market.

"We need to break this cycle of negativity around the town," he said. "There's a lot to be positive about.

"One of the highest operational costs of a business in Bermuda is the rent, and there are significantly lower rents in St. George's."

If elected, Mr. Brackstone said that he hopes to make more of an impact on the community, adding: "At the end of the day, the Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer job. The only power we have is the power of persuasion.

"The Corporation is the best organisation to join if you want to make an impact."