For the first time in nearly a decade two candidates will fight it out for the post of Hamilton Mayor with the winner in charge of a $15 million budget and 110 employees.

Standing Mayor Lawson Mapp is being challenged by National Liberal Party vice chairman Graeme Outerbridge at the poll next Thursday. Mr. Mapp had previously said he would reluctantly stand down in favour of alderman David White.

But Mr. White did not run and is said to be upset by Mr. Mapp's stand.

The Knick Knack managing director told The Royal Gazette: "I didn't stand, after 20 years it was time to move aside.

"There was no pressure whatsoever, it was my own decision. I just didn't go up (to the nomination). I called it quits."

In April Mr. Mapp claimed he was being bullied out of office and announced he would not be standing after losing the support of Corporation members.

He said there had been an agreement, formally passed by a vote, that a Mayor can serve for two terms - but this had been reneged upon.

But senior Corporation members feared if Mr. Mapp took two terms they would be too old to get their chance and pointed out that the two previous incumbents had only done one term.

Asked about Mr. White's withdrawal Corporation Secretary Roger Sherratt said: "I don't think Mr. White wanted to be involved in competing with the standing mayor Mr. Mapp."

He said the last time there had been an election for mayor was when William Boyle beat Cecil Dismont in 1994 who was attempting to get a third term. Around 375 electors have the right to vote in Thursday's election at City Hall between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Business owners have one vote each while residential tenants and owners have one vote per household although joint owners of residential properties, such as husband and wives, can have one vote each. Mr. Mapp did not return calls but in an earlier interview he said Jubilee Park in North Hamilton was his best achievement and he had wanted to set up an antiques fair in Court Street.

Mr. Outerbridge said he had been surprised to find himself up against Mr. Mapp rather than Mr. White, but he said he would have stood anyway because he wanted to shake up the process.

He said contested elections led to better governance and he regretted the aldermen and councillors would be appointed unopposed.

Attacking the Corporation's electoral process, Mr. Outerbridge said it was wrong there could be five tenants living together but only one vote was given to that property.

He said the law should be changed to make Corporation meetings public and he agreed the obstacle to this - that members did not have privilege barring them being sued for comments as enjoyed by House of Assembly members - should be removed.

As well as moving container docks to the North Shore to free up Hamilton Harbour for nightlife and gambling, Mr. Sherratt wants to pedestrianise Reid Street, allow high rise blocks in valleys and expand the city boundaries to bring in Pembroke dump.

The project to turn that area into a park should be completed, said Mr. Outerbridge, who said it would act as a "green lung" for the city. Concession stands in that and other city parks would improve amenities and reduce taxes, suggested Mr. Outerbridge, along with fees from licensed gambling on the water front.

Households pay around $200 annual taxes while large businesses pay up to $100,000, said Mr. Sherratt. He confirmed that all the alderman and councillors would be appointed unopposed. Lawyer Sonia Grant becomes the Corporation's first female senior alderman. She is joined by small businessmen Reginald Minors and David Dunkley as aldermen.

AS&K CEO James Jardine has stepped down from alderman to become a councillor where he will work alongside Courtland Boyle, a director of Boyles shoes, Phoenix President George Grundmuller, Stevedoring Services President Bruce Lines and perennial PLP candidate Carvel VanPutten, who has been chairman of the North Hamilton Business Association.