Former Corporation of Hamilton councillor Graeme Outerbridge will run for his old seat in this month's municipal election.

He sent a letter to city voters saying that he had "decided to help fight for the future" of the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George's after it was revealed last week that Government was to abolish both.

Mr. Outerbridge served for several years as a common councillor in Hamilton but resigned last May after an investigation was launched into his eligibility to be on the voters' list, along with alderman David Dunkley.

Mr. Outerbridge later re-registered on the municipal roll with different details and stood for election in July, but lost out on a seat.

The Corporations announced last week that Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque had written to them to say that their services were to be taken over by Government — a move they said they would resist.

Last Friday, Minister without Portfolio Walter Roban told the House of Assembly that the Municipalities Act 1923 was to be repealed and the operations of the municipalities transferred to Government.

He said it was "impractical" and "unwieldy" to have "competing arms of Government" on a small island.

Despite the plan, the Corporation of Hamilton is still holding its city election on July 16, when all seats will be for grabs.

Mr. Outerbridge's letter to voters says: "Everything is on the line and the most important thing is to make certain that both municipalities continue to exist as elected bodies."

He pledged that if elected he would ensure the Municipalities Act was updated so all parliamentary voters living in the city would be eligible to vote in municipal elections.

The same recommendation was made in a joint report submitted to the Government nine months ago by the Corporations.

Mr. Outerbridge, who last August blew the whistle on behind-the-scenes feuding at City Hall with a dossier revealing the extent of internal strife, told voters yesterday: "Meetings must be open and all parts of the city treated equally. North East Hamilton must be given the full service and attention that Front Street gets and safety and security throughout the city must be accomplished.

"We must improve basic access throughout the city so that no matter what a person's health and physical condition they can make their way through the city and its buildings."

Government originally pledged to overhaul the Corporations in its Throne Speech of February 2008, describing both as having served their municipalities well but adding: "The framework within which they operate is outdated and it can be argued that it does not reflect modern good governance."

The Opposition last week accused Government of orchestrating a "land grab" on Hamilton and St. George's after Mr. Roban's statement. The two municipalities came into existence more than two centuries ago and employ almost 200 people.

Mr. Dunkley was told last year that he was ineligible to serve on the Corporation of Hamilton. His appeal of that decision is still pending.