The Corporation of Hamilton has invited a top scientist and educator from Colombia to give a series of lectures to Bermuda students.

But some councillors have questioned why the municipality is spending ratepayer dollars to fund the visit of Raul Cuero, who will make a number of presentations next Monday and Tuesday.

And one City Hall official has also questioned the legality of the invite, which was ratified at a special meeting of elected officials last week.

Dr Cuero is a professor of microbiology who claims to have carried out research work for the US space agency NASA. He runs the International Park of Creativity, which according to his website aims to “create young inventors/creative, under the mentorship of inventors”.

He was a keynote speaker at a World Summit of Mayors held in Colombia in September, where he addressed “contemporary economic development based on creative science technologies”. The Corporation of Hamilton sent a four-man delegation, led by Deputy Mayor Donal Smith, to that summit at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars.

Mr Smith put forward the motion that Dr Cuero’s trip be approved during a special meeting of elected officials last week.

Although Alderman Gwyneth Rawlins did not attend that meeting or vote on the motion, she had earlier written to Mayor Graeme Outerbridge questioning the proposal.

“I have given additional thought to the Deputy Mayor’s proposal in yesterday’s Board meeting to bring Dr Raul Cuero to Bermuda,” Alderman Rawlins said in her November 15 letter.

“Clearly this proposal was supported by other council members. Whilst I still think that the idea in and of itself is a good one because the people of this country would benefit, I believe that if we pursue this, we would be acting outside of our remit as a Council responsible for the affairs of the City.

“A proposal of this nature really falls within the mandate of the Government as it leans very heavily towards raising and educating our children and the ultimate state of our overall society. City taxpayer funds should not be expended to cover the cost of this venture.

“I suggested yesterday that we not approve the proposal in principle but rather slow down and really examine all the factors involved including looking at hard figures and bottom line costs. Experience should have taught us to not rush into things only to be seen but rather to allow common sense to prevail and make common sense decisions.

“However, I am now of the mind that the most we can do is to make the introduction of Dr Cuero to the appropriate persons in Government and let the Government take the idea up if thought beneficial. Most certainly I support partnering with the Government in building the relationship but I reiterate that we must act within our mandate and not use taxpayers money for this.

“Hopefully, our colleagues did not leave Columbia and Dr Cuero with the impression that his proposed visit is a done deal. I for one as a council member cannot support this.”

Councillor Larry Scott also questioned the decision, saying that because no minutes of the meeting were taken any decisions made during the meeting are “invalid”.

“The question that must be asked now is, how can the invitation be proceeded with if there was an invalid meeting from the start?” Mr Scott said

“There is no record of that meeting ever having taken place nor any resolution provided to staff to verify the action to be proceeded with.

“How now can the invitation be proceeded with and monies of the Corporation be expanded without the supporting resolution to management to proceed with it?

“What I do know is that management has been instructed to carry out this item, which requires the expansion of Corporation funds. Such an act is illegal, but I suspect that management will be instructed to get on with it or face suspension.”

Full details of Dr Cuero’s itinerary during his two-day trip have yet to be revealed by the Corporation. Hamilton Mayor Graeme Outerbridge said that his deputy Donal Smith was in the process of preparing a press statement that would be released to the media.