today are pledging to tackle problems with the Old Town's tax system.

The failure of some residents to pay their taxes which was leading to a cash shortage in St. George's, they claimed yesterday.

The three candidates also said they were intent on resurrecting the old Club Med resort, saying it would bring much-needed business to the East End. Voters can cast their ballots today at the St. George's Town Hall between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Building contractor Mr. Louis DeSilva, born and raised in St. George's, said he felt residents concerns had been placed on the backburner while attention was being focused on tourism and the merchant community.

And St. George's travel agency owner Mr. Gary Kent-Smith said he would bring "modern thinking for the Old Town''.

"This is not to suggest that we should dispose of our traditional values,'' he said. "But rather, adopt an up-to-date approach to our municipal situation. St. George's is a 17th Century town with 20th Century problems.'' And businessman Mr. Terry Roberts, the son of former St. George's mayor Mr.

Norman Roberts, said he wanted to work with the Corporation of St. George's to ensure a "continued prosperous climate for the business community'' and "guarantee the quality of life residents deserve''.

Mr. DeSilva, a contractor for his family's business, Hi-Span Construction, said he would seek to meet with St. George's residents to see why taxes were not being paid, and how they could be better collected.

"A lot of people are reluctant to or simply haven't paid their taxes,'' Mr.

DeSilva said. "The Corporation of St. George's is always talking about a cashflow problem, but it doesn't seem to be addressing the tax situation.'' The vacant Club Med property and the state of roads in the Old Town were other problems in need of looking at, he said.

Many roads needed widening so emergency vehicles could gain access to homes and there needed to be "a general tidying up of the back of town'', he said.

Mr. Kent-Smith, who recently relocated his business, Travel Connection-Bermuda from Hamilton to St. George's, had concerns about "a lack of dialogue'' between the Corporation of St. George's and voters.

Mr. Kent-Smith said an easy solution to the town's cash problems would be to raise taxes but he was not in favour of such a move.

"A great number of tax payers in St. George's don't pay and this is leading to a shortfall in revenue.'' If elected, he said he would look into the problem and take a tougher stance on tax collection.

Another way of raising revenue, he said, was to be more "assertive'' with Government.

He said that to bring more business to St. George's, there needed to be more special activities in the year -- and greater participation by merchants.

And he said the new traffic system, which bars vehicles from Water Street between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays, was a "mess''. He claimed 99 percent of store owners on the street were unhappy with it.

Mr. Roberts, whose businesses include St. George's Hardware and Paradise Gift Shop, said the vacant Club Med property was a major concern, along with improving roads in the back of town.

But instead of "crying down'' the present administration, he wanted to help it, he said.

He pointed out tax collection in St. George's was of special importance because there were so many Government and National Trust-owned buildings that were exempted. The town needed every tax cent it could get, he said.

Mr. Roberts said the town should secure the funding it received from Government and then pursue other avenues of raising cash.

He said he decided to run for the post because he wanted "to put something back into the town''.

Tonight's winner will replace Mr. Ross Smith, who was elected Alderman in October.