One of the Corporation of Hamilton's senior councillors has announced her candidacy for Mayor days after the Government declared its intention to abolish the municipal body altogether.

Kathryn Gibbons had considered running for Mayor in the July 16 election prior to the controversial announcement, but told The Royal Gazette that the move "catalysed" her decision.

Mrs. Gibbons, who has served as a councillor for two years, said that the next Mayor will need to negotiate carefully with Government on the Corporation's future role.

"I am optimistic that we can establish a mutually respectful dialogue with Government to make our case," she said, adding that the Corporation has ample support for its cause.

Mrs. Gibbons expressed her surprise that the Government decided to abolish both the Corporation of Hamilton and the Corporation of St. George's without consultation or public input. She noted that she spearheaded a review of the Municipalities Act as a councillor, presenting recommendations to the Government in October 2008.

"It was completely ignored," she said.

Mrs. Gibbons currently chairs the legislative, communications and staff committees at City Hall, and serves on the finance, property and planning and development committees.

If elected, she will aim to protect the interests of Hamilton's employees and taxpayers.

"The Mayor must send a strong message that a democratically elected municipal government best serves the interests of Hamilton's residents and businesses," she said.

During her time as a councillor, Mrs. Gibbons was instrumental in creating a human resources department at the Corporation. She has also worked to improve transparency and tighten financial controls.

"I believe that my strong record of achievement on the Corporation so far is a good predictor of what voters could expect of me as Mayor," she said.

Mrs. Gibbons has served on the boards of a variety of local organisations, including Montessori Academy (now Somersfield), where she was chair. She has been a director of the Bermuda Health Alliance and a member of the Bermuda Hospitals Board. In the 1970s and 80s, while living in the US, Mrs. Gibbons held senior communications roles at large firms including pharmaceutical giant Squibb Corporation (now Bristol Myers-Squibb), where she was director of marketing services.

Mrs. Gibbons said she believes the Corporation will survive this attempt to shut it down, adding that municipal elections will be running as normal this month.

"While it may never be business as usual, the work of the Corporation will continue," she noted. "The next Mayor of Hamilton will establish the operating standards of the Corporation, and I will set that bar high."