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Some weeks ago, I had a conversation with a former long serving MP, who asked me about the current status of Government to repeal or reform the Municipalities Act 1923.

He shared with me that, as a supporter of the PLP he recalled 20 years ago, when Frederick L. Wade was Opposition Leader, the Corporation of Hamilton was held in contempt specifically for holding meetings in private.

It was a flawed electoral system that disenfranchised residents within the city boundaries from voting and reflected the Bermuda of old, where segregation existed and racial misbehaviour was practiced.

As a consequence, Frederick Wade often passionately promised that, on securing Government, the PLP would seek to rectify and remedy the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George's. I recall some of the comments made about the Corporations by Mr. Wade and supported them.

When I was elected as a member of the Corporation, I was pleasantly surprised to learn the Corporation of Hamilton was well advanced in seeking to change the Ordinances that govern Hamilton and, indeed, all of the offensive Articles have been removed.

Our new, diverse team is committed to the following:

* Expand the right to vote in municipal elections to all Hamilton residents, without regard to property ownership, familial relationship or tax status;

* Open all Corporation board meetings to the public for the first time;

* Hold regular town hall meetings where the public can question the Corporation leadership team;

* Publish the Corporation budget so the public can see how their tax dollars are spent;

* Simplify municipal voter registration by using the Parliamentary Register as proof of residence for electors;

* Allow proxy voting to avoid disenfranchisement;

* Eliminate privilege-based leadership by expanding the number of councillors to eight and giving the three most senior councillors the honorary title of Alderman with no special voting privileges;

* Make it easier for anyone, regardless of personal wealth, to run for municipal office.

My friend, on hearing this, expressed his surprise and was generally disappointed that Government and the Corporation have not arranged to reach an accommodation, especially since we have advanced the same thing the Government wants for the City of Hamilton.

There is still an opportunity for both Government and the Corporation to work on reforming the Municipalities Act 1923 and avoid a very costly exercise, instead using these funds for much needed social programmes.

For example, in the last several months some of our streets have seen the use of firearms, resulting in unfortunate fatalities.

This violence must be addressed with urgency and I urge the Police Commissioner to keep a mobile station permanently in these areas until these attacks are a thing of the past. The Corporation still awaits approval for City Rangers, who would have similar powers to police.

I would have thought this would have been addressed as a high priority considering recent incidents.

Also, we need to take on the challenge of the rise in homeless persons, from food to shelter to giving them back their worthiness. Urgent action is needed to address the rejuvenation of our waterfront - one of the prettiest little harbours in the world requires a much-needed facelift.

The Corporation of Hamilton has had plans prepared and they will do Bermuda proud.

The Hamilton container docks should be removed and a comprehensive plan commissioned, which would reflect a promenade, housing, shops, restaurants, social outlets and other places for entertainment.

This can only be achieved if Government and the Corporation work together for the benefit of Bermudians.

Together we must develop a better waterfront. Our citizens deserve it, our visitors demand it and our businesses need it.

For many years, I have been involved in the people business, specifically in an industry that had many challenges and still does,

But in the last decade, I have found the most important ingredient in helping an industry under severe threat is to establish a working relationship with all parties involved.

This relationship must have respect, sincerity, transparency and trust.

The Corporation of Hamilton and our Government must work together.

JOHN W. HARVEY is a Hamilton Alderman.

Gun violence special report:

Here's how to beat the gangs

US jails ready to take our thugs

60-days jail for suspects 'Draconian'

Police patrols to be stepped up as public trust wanes

Governor's silence on recent bloodshed is deafening

Government and the Corporations must work together to tackle the gun violence

Drug barons, not gangs, are to blame for shootings

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