Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Kelly Miller has left City Hall — but the municipality would not say last night whether she jumped or was pushed.

Mayor Sutherland Madeiros issued a statement yesterday announcing that a new Secretary, Edward Benevides, was appointed with immediate effect.

The press release gave no information on why Ms Miller had left and Mr. Madeiros would not answer questions on whether she resigned, was sacked or had received a pay off.

"It's a staff issue and we really don't comment on staff issues," the Mayor said. "I just think what transpired is between the individual and us."

The Royal Gazette understands that discussions about Ms Miller's position have taken place among the city's leaders intermittently for the last few years.

There have been rumblings about her management style since 2006 with this newspaper reporting in October of that year that two senior staff members left because of alleged "unpleasant treatment" from her and alderman David Dunkley.

She was also heavily criticised in a letter of resignation from treasurer Geoffrey Bell last month. He alleged 12 senior or semi-senior staff had resigned in the three years he had worked there with "almost all citing the Corporation's most senior manager as their reason for leaving the municipality".

The departure of Ms Miller — who was appointed Secretary in 2003 after working at the Corporation since 1999 — comes less than a week before a by-election for four vacant City Hall seats.

Certified systems auditor Mr. Benevides, a former senior vice-president at Capital G Bank, will initially have his hands full with Monday's election but will then have to turn his attention to other ongoing problems at the strife-hit Corporation.

It has suffered a string of negative headlines in 2008, with criticism for some of its decisions and internal rows among members spilling out into the public domain.

The tangled affairs of the 213-year-old municipality — which holds all its meetings behind closed doors — are tough to keep up with for the average city voter.

Alderman William Black was removed from his post earlier this month for defects in his registration on the voters' list. His ousting came hot on the heels of councillor Carvel VanPutten being kicked off the Corporation for failing to attend meetings for three months.

Prior to that, councillor Graeme Outerbridge resigned following a complaint by Mr. Black about his registration details. He has now re-registered and is standing for election next week.

The same complaint led to alderman David Dunkley being told he was ineligible to serve, a decision he is appealing. Councillor George Grundmuller resigned his seat in February for business reasons.

Bermudian Mr. Benevides has been appointed Secretary for six months while the Corporation analyses its management structure. He will be responsible for day-to-day management and operations in the city.

He is an alderman of the Corporation of St. George's, chairman of trustees and vice chairman of deacons at Wellington Baptist Church and a member of Bermuda Hospitals Board.

Mr. Madeiros said of the appointment: "I would like to welcome Edward to the Corporation. He brings experience in team building and the talent needed to carry out the important business of this city.

"His role as alderman in St. George's has given him knowledge of the Municipalities Act and I am pleased to have him as a part of this team. I look forward to having him contribute to the running of the city."

He added: "I'd like to thank Kelly for the hard work and contributions she's made to the Corporation. I wish her well in her future endeavours."

Ms Miller could not be contacted for comment.