Mayoral hopeful Graeme Outerbridge pledged to merge a city that his team believes switches from prosperity to neglect north of Victoria Street.His comments were made before about 25 area residents at a town-hall meeting in advance of City of Hamilton elections this week.Mr Outerbridge told North Hamilton residents he had pushed for the legislative change allowing them to vote for the first time on Thursday.The incumbents resisted the move with up to $500,000 in advertising, he said.“The old process was a closed process,” he said.“Look at something as fundamental as new traffic lights — are many are being built in Northeast Hamilton?”Those present included current Alderman Pamela Ferreira, who is not running in the upcoming election.Common Councillor candidate George Scott, the Bermuda Industrial Union’s chief organiser, told the gathering at the New Testament Church of God’s Heritage Hall: “The persons that run this city have done it for the last 200 years. There’s been a club, and some of us are not privileged to be in that club.”Mr Outerbridge promised if he was elected there would be “two committees at City Hall” — one for business, and one for residents.Among public safety proposals was cheap, optional CCTV for every residence and building in Hamilton with the cameras networked as a resource for tracking crime.The idea was suggested by Fort Knox Bermuda CEO and prospective Councillor Troy Symonds.It was also suggested a public “chess park”, modelled on New York City’s Washington Square Park, be created.Alderman hopeful Donal Smith, president of Bermuda Emissions Control Ltd, lamented the lack of entertainment.Team Hamilton hopes to unseat current Mayor Charles Gosling, in the increasingly heated competition for City Hall.Mr Smith said while canvassing in the area he noticed Mr Gosling also knocking on doors.“Nothing’s wrong with that, but the question I have for the mayor is, why all of a sudden are you canvassing north Hamilton? You never did before.”The reason was, he said: “They understand that the writing’s on the wall. It’s history in the making.”Women’s advocate and Alderman candidate Gwyneth Rawlins noted a decline in the city’s vibrancy and safety since her childhood on Union Street.Echoing a campaign catch-phrase, she pledged to help make Hamilton “the most vibrant spot in the Country”.Would-be Alderman Carlton Simmons of Youth on the Move, told the audience: “There are some parts of Hamilton, like Front Street or Reid Street, that are on their fifth or sixth version of sidewalk. Come to this side of town, to Ewing or Angle Street, and it’s still the first version. It’s never changed.”He added: “Treat the city as one city. Let’s make Hamilton the showpiece of Bermuda.”Common Councillor candidate Keith Davis called for a revival of Hamilton’s former vibrancy, saying it had been lost “not just by neglect, but by design”.And Mr Scott hit back at rumours that “someone from the other team is going around saying for me to run is a conflict of interest”, because of his union role.He said: “The conflict will be when decisions are being made differently from the way they’re made today.”Lawyer Larry Scott reiterated the theme, telling the audience he wished to see “a merging of the city”.Asked why the incumbent team would have campaigned against residents getting the vote, Mr Outerbridge said: “The residents’ vote would be diluted by having businesses included. That was the issue.”Self-described “disgruntled resident” Tracy Marshall said: “In 2006 I purchased property and met with the Mayor and [city secretary] Ed Benevides about a problem in my immediate area. They said they would get back to me. That was in 2010 and I haven’t heard from them since. Then two days ago the Mayor was on my doorstep and he asked for my vote.”Court Street business owner Judith Burgess said children in the area had resorted to chasing chickens for entertainment.“I am guilty because one of those children is my grandchild, running up and down the street because there is nothing to do.”She told Team Hamilton that, if elected she expected them to “get the chickens off Court Street”.Voters in Thursday’s municipal election will each get up to nine votes to cast. Each team is footing eight candidates: one each for Mayor, three each for Alderman and five Common Councillor positions.There are 687 registered voters. For the first time this year, Hamilton businesses will be excluded from the polls.