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This week the team at the ­Corporation of Hamilton ­unveiled a new look for the city.

This contemporary look is part of the commitment and dynamic vision for operating with openness, where we encourage all constituents to participate, get involved and make their voices heard.

Every city faces challenges with changing times, trends, the economy, growing ­demands and booming populations.

Our city faces these and more challenges but we embrace them and see them as an opportunity to improve the daily lives of our residents, retailers and our visitors, and not a deterrence or setback.

We are rolling up our sleeves and working hard to deliver quality and cost-effective services.

The City of Hamilton's vision will continue to be shaped by what serves the best interests of its constituents, while respecting and modernising the democratic principles of our 215-year-old city.

It is a place where entrepreneurs can realize their dreams of starting new businesses ­contributing to the economic and job growth of our city.

It is a city where tourism can thrive when we welcome cruise ships to our ports this summer.

Entertainment

It is where the people of Hamilton will greet tourists and make sure their experience is filled with visiting our shops and ­eating at our restaurants.

I truly believe Hamilton is the centre of our island. It really is Bermuda at its best.

It's where we enjoy dining, ­entertainment, shopping and ­relaxing in our garden and seaside parks.

Hamilton is where we can see and feel the excitement when the tall ships are in our harbour and enjoy the summer evenings with our friends and neighbours at the Harbour Nights events.

It is a city that brings us together like no other place.

The new team at City Hall is dedicated to supporting the ­retailers who continue to ­contribute to the vibrancy of our city's downtown life.

The City of Hamilton is ­committed to building a better port and port-side experience, where containers and car parking gives way to walking paths, ­waterside parks and entertainment to meet the needs of not only Hamilton residents and ­retailers, but of all Bermuda.

For the first time in your city's history, your new and diverse team is operating with unprecedented openness.

It is an operation that is cost-­effective and financially strong, where financial documents are made public on the city's website, www.cityofhamilton.bm, and where city government embraces and encourages participation. Citizens in Hamilton have the right to know what their elected city officials are doing for them.

They have a voice and we ask all of Hamilton to be heard. This is your city!

Since this is your city, I cannot be remiss in mentioning Government's attempt to repeal the ­Municipalities Act and take over our city government.

Optimistic

While we have held public ­meetings and town halls to share our thoughts on the issue and hear your ideas on how to ­improve the Municipalities Act, we continue to hear very little from Government.

As my colleague Alderman John Harvey wrote: "Hamilton and our Government must work together."

The new team at City Hall is ­optimistic this can happen so that together we can bring about ­sensible reforms for the Hamilton community and all of Bermuda.

The PLP have historically ­campaigned for an expansion of voting rights in city elections.

We not only endorse the expansion of voting rights but have been encouraging Government to help us to enact legislation that turns this commitment on our part into a reality.

The future of Hamilton need not be a source of political ­uncertainty or divisiveness.

We are happy to sit down with Government and work in collaboration to make Hamilton the best it can be.

This is why I ­campaigned with this team and I am proud to have been elected to serve. Such a ­diverse team can make a difference and instil positive change.

This is why now is not the time for Government to take away our ideas, our rights to participate in city government or our voices, or to threaten the vibrancy and ­financial wellbeing of our city.

This is the time for Government to support us and work with us to make Hamilton a city that reflects the best of ­Bermuda.

Marshall Minors is a Corporation of Hamilton councillor.[[In-content Ad]]

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