St. George's may be facing a three-way race for mayor after candidates for the Corporation of the old town are nominated today.

Former Mayor Henry Hayward, Alderman Ross Smith and Common Councillor and Town Crier E. Michael Jones have all announced their plans to run for the top job.

At stake is the responsibility for leading the town through its bid for world heritage site status by UNESCO -- a designation which could prove to be a boon for the financially strapped town.

And the victorious candidate would also face the task of trying to negotiate a new tax deal with the Bermuda Government.

Candidates for Mayor, Alderman and Common Councillor must report to the Corporation offices at the Town Hall in King's Square between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with their necessary paperwork.

While Mr. Hayward, Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith were all intent on becoming the replacement for outgoing Mayor Lois Perinchief yesterday, three-time mayoral candidate Gladstone Trott, who ran for the top post in 1991 and 1994 against Mr. Hayward and in 1997 against Mrs. Perinchief and lost each time, has ruled out running for the post this year.

When contacted yesterday, Mr. Trott said: "No. I am not running this year.

I'll let them fight it out against each other.'' Mr. Hayward, Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones are all emphasising the need for the town to have strong leadership as it pursues a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones have also underlined their desire to rid residents and businessmen in the town of the double tax they pay for services such as water and trash collection. Currently they are taxed by both the Corporation and Government. Mr. Smith has gone a step further and unveiled a 12-part economic revitalisation plan for the town which includes measures he said would increase revenue, improve management and promote St. George's. Meanwhile Mr.

Jones, who is also emphasising the need to increase residents' and businessmen's involvement in the running of the town as part of his platform, has announced that he will step down from his role as Town Crier today to concentrate fully on the mayoral post.

Also up for grabs are three Alderman posts. Common Councillor Mariea Caisey confirmed yesterday that she would be running for one of them.

Three-way race for mayor on the cards The other two posts look as if they will be taken over by Common Councillors Louis (Red) DeSilva and Kenneth Bascome, according to a Corporation insider.

Current Alderman Noela Haycock has reportedly stated she will be stepping down and Alderman Terrence Roberts yesterday said he had no plans to run this time around.

After serving on the Corporation for the past seven years, Mr. Roberts said: "I have done a lot of soul searching and looked at my whole situation and decided that I will not be standing for the Corporation.

"I won't rule out running again in the future but for the moment I am stepping aside.'' Names put forward by a Corporation insider as contestants for the five vacant Common Councillor posts are incumbent David Raine, East End businessmen William Davis, Christopher West and Beau Evans.

Mr. Davis, who lives in the town and owns Churchills, confirmed yesterday that he would be running for the position of Common Councillor.

He added: "I have had a lot of support this time around and a lot of people have urged me to run. I hope to make a positive contribution as a businessman in St. George's and a resident.'' Mr. Evans, the owner and operator of the Coral Sea , has also confirmed his intention of running for the post of Common Councillor.

Mr. West was said yesterday to be off the Island until October 17 so it seems unlikely that he will be running. His last attempt to earn a Corporation place fell through when his paperwork was found to not be in order.

Other names put forward as possible contestants for the vacant spots include Allison Outerbridge, perennial challenger Kingsley Francis, Delcina Dean Burrows, Ivan Smith and Government MP Delaey Robinson.

Henry Hayward Ross Smith E. Michael Jones