Mayoral candidate Carlton Simmons said that he wants a “complete review of city expenditure” and has promised he will bring fresh ideas and modern approach to business.

Mr Simmons, who remains an alderman of the troubled City of Hamilton administration, added that his campaign for the top corporation position has been three years in the making.

The candidate, who is the co-founder of Hamilton-based Youth on the Move Bermuda and Custom Clips Barber Shop, is a chess player and also a keen fisherman. “I am the most prepared candidate available to take on the role as mayor in this critical time,” he said.

He pointed to “a number of threats facing the city, including economic, political and organisational issues”.

His platform includes working towards a full cruise ship season for the port of Hamilton, the creation of improved berthing facilities to increase international marine traffic and a full review of parking in the city.

He would like to bring new affordable housing developments into line, citing No 6 and No 10 Dundonald Street as examples.

Safety, addressing vagrancy, homelessness and security measures, along with safe, clean sidewalks, roadways and the restoration of derelict infrastructure and facilities throughout the city are among other planks of Mr Simmons’ platform. He also wants to reintroduce a city apprenticeship programme for young people.

There should be clear rental policies on city buildings and residential properties, and public access to those policies, Mr Simmons believes.

The mayoral candidate wants to create a “log” to capture suggestions, complaints and inquiries, along with a bill of rights that will cite the standards and services that ratepayers should expect. He has undertaken to review the city’s organisational structure, and will also lobby Government to change the parking ordinances to return that revenue stream to the city.

Mr Simmons took aim at Mayor Graeme Outerbridge. “It has been proven time and time again that no matter how good the people around you, the mayor sets the tone for the entire council,” he said. “The administration that I was a part of made a number of mistakes as newly elected leaders.”

He said Mr Outerbridge did not introduce the newly elected council to corporation managers “to share our vision or to establish the management’s needs and concerns. Therefore, we never developed a working relationship with the management team from the onset; a critical mistake that plagued us throughout our administration”.

He added: “The title of mayor is no substitute for genuine leadership qualities.” Mr Simmons called his alderman role a unique stepping stone towards the position of mayor. “I have chaired and co-chaired on a number of committees, including property, governance and infrastructure,” he said.

Mr Simmons addressed the problems that have plagued the corporation and moved to distance himself from them. “I was against many of the positions taken by this council that affected the poor relationship that we have with the Government,” he said. “For example, I was against not sharing the Waterfront lease with the Government and, although I wish my colleagues had conducted the process differently, I strongly believe the procedure was carried out legally within the powers of the corporation.”

Mr Simmons has also talked about the Par-la-Ville debacle, where a corporation guarantee on a short-term loan was called in when the borrower defaulted. It has resulted in the Par-la-Ville car park going into receivership.

“Without going into great detail, initially, I did not support the Par-la-Ville loan,” Mr Simmons said.

“I was always sceptical about using city property to back a private business venture. If the current city rules and guidelines had been followed, this tragedy would have never occurred. Someone has to be held responsible.”

The municipal elections will be held on May 7 and Mr Simmons is contesting the position of Mayor of Hamilton against Charles Gosling.

“I’m not sure I have any clear advantages over Mr Gosling as a candidate for mayor,” Mr Simmons said.

“What I can say is that I believe that I would be a good mayor for the city and that all my motivations for running to be mayor are based on my vision to make the city an even better city than it is today.

“I want to create a more efficient city, using fresh and new ideas. As the owner of a number of small city businesses, a lifelong city resident and as a former city employee, coupled with my experience as an alderman, I know I have acquired the appropriate skills to effectively lead, listen and learn in order to run the city successfully.

“We live in a country where anything is possible. I want to show ordinary Bermudians that it’s not about where you start out in life; it’s where you choose to end up.”