The Town of St. George's Mayor's election has turned into a two-horse race.

Now Lois Perinchief has been joined in the battle for the top job by Gladstone Trott.

For weeks there has been speculation that there would be no competition for Mrs. Perinchief.

And the other municipal positions of Alderman and Common Councillor have also turned into keenly-contested races.

Mrs. Perinchief, who served as deputy to outgoing Mayor Henry Hayward, yesterday said that an election made the process more democratic.

"If I should be lucky enough to get in then I shall feel more honoured,'' she said. "I'm just keeping an open mind.'' Mrs. Perinchief, now retired, is a well-known St. George's retailer with long-time Corporation service.

She said her campaign will be based on building on the plans already put in place by the Corporation.

"One of the things I would like to do is to do something with the old grey building on Ordnance Island so that we can utilise it,'' she said.

Mrs. Perinchief also spoke of the shortage of parking in the historic town.

Her rival, Mr. Trott, said he would give next week's election his all and planned to raise a number of issues during his campaign.

"I am in favour of the container dock at Marginal Wharf,'' he said. "And I'm also in favour of building a parking facility at the old prison on Rose Hill because the town is overloaded with cars and if you put one up there it will keep some of the cars out of the town.'' Years ago, Mr. Trott ran against but lost to Mrs. Perinchief for the position of Alderman.

And Mr. Trott lost to Mr. Hayward in the 1991 and 1994 municipal elections.

"I've been running for years, I've always been the opposition and I will continue to be as long as I've got the strength and health,'' he said. "If I didn't run then there would never be an election. They would all go in unopposed.'' Mr. Trott, a member of the Freemason and Hamilton Lodge, is a former businessman and contractor.

The Mayor's seat will not be the only position contested: there are four candidates vying for three Alderman positions.

Terrence Roberts, Delaey Robinson, Ross Smith and Noela Haycock will square off.

Senator Haycock, who is seeking re-election, told The Royal Gazette that she was pleased that 14 candidates were vying for the nine municipal positions.

"I think it is very exciting that there are so many people interested in St.

George's and pledge to give their time to the town,'' she said. "And I've seen elections where there hasn't even been an election for the positions of Aldermen.'' During the 1994 election, none of the three Alderman posts were contested.

And eight people will compete for the five vacant positions of Common Councillor.

Common Councillor contender Leon (Jimmy) Williams, a 15-year veteran, said he wanted to continue to make a contribution to the Town.

And fellow Council competitor E. Michael Jones said good senior Common Councillors were needed to put together a good team. Mr. Williams and Mr.

Jones were joined by Mariea Caisey, William Davis, Louis DeSilva, David Raine, Christopher West and Kenneth Bascome in the race.

Mr. Bascome, who was beat out in 1994 for a position as Councillor by two votes, said he planned a face-to-face, doorstep campaign.

"I will not be sending out any literature,'' he said. "I will be making direct contact with the constituents and seeking their support.'' The election takes place on November 4 with the polls open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lois Perinchief