Businesswoman Anne Kast yesterday resigned as a Corporation of Hamilton councillor — a move the Mayor described last night as a "travesty".

Ms Kast, owner of Kast Investment Management Ltd., told The Royal Gazette she stood down to avoid controversy about her right to be on the city's electoral roll — an issue that has already lost the municipality two members this year and is still hanging over one of the aldermen. Ms Kast, who was only elected in July, said: "I have spent 35 years in one of the toughest industries in business and I lasted four months in politics."

She said she was asked to run for the seat and took the position "very seriously". But she added: "For the good of the Corporation and the people who support me, I'm resigning."

Bitter in-fighting at City Hall hit the headlines earlier this year but seemed to have died down since the July election which saw Ms Kast and two other new councillors elected. But her resignation raises fresh questions about what is happening behind the scenes at the Corporation.

Mayor Sutherland Madeiros said of Ms Kast's decision: "I did in fact receive a letter from her and I tried to persuade her not to resign."

Asked if he was sad to see her go after such a short tenure, he replied: "Absolutely. She's been one of the hardest workers, one of the most enthusiastic workers on the Corporation, and I think it's a travesty." He said he would release a fuller statement today.

Those allowed to vote in city elections or serve on the Corporation of Hamilton have to either be a municipal elector, i.e. own a home or a company in the capital or be a nominee, i.e. nominated on behalf of an elector.

Ms Kast said she registered on the city's electoral roll — or municipal register — as a voter in 2006 when her application was approved by the Corporation Secretary. "Subsequently, there have been some discussions on my qualification as a municipal elector and the situation remains unclear," she added. "I regret that I have had to take this action and resign as common councillor with immediate effect."

Ms Kast, whose business is based in Washington Mall, would not elaborate on why there was an issue with her registration.

She said her resignation "relates to the manner in which the Corporation of Hamilton has dealt with the registration procedures for municipal electors".

An investigation into David Dunkley and Graeme Outerbridge's right to be on the voters' register, and therefore to serve as members, was launched earlier this year after a complaint by alderman Bill Black. Mr. Outerbridge stepped down as a councillor in May after the inquiry was "inconclusive" about his status, he said. Mr. Dunkley was told he was ineligible to serve but appealed the decision and has continued serving as alderman pending a court hearing on the issue.

Mr. Dunkley's lawyer Mark Pettingill said last night he had no comment on how the appeal was proceeding. Mr. Black himself was removed from the Corporation as an alderman in early July due to "defects in his position as a nominee" on the municipal register.