The Royal Gazette yesterday took to the streets of Hamilton to find out what residents thought of Government's bid to take over the Corporation of Hamilton.

Most who talked to this newspaper were against Government's move to abolish the municipalities, reducing them to a ceremonial body. Others said they didn't know enough about the takeover or how it would affect them, including Khalid Davis, 29, an insurance auditor.

Mr. Davis said: "It is a concern but it is already done, it's not something that has been legislated. So its just a matter of how well the Corporation is going to be managed by Government and whether it is going to be managed efficiently.

"I kind of want to know how it's going to be managed and why it was a better plan to do it this way. There is a lot of background story to that.

"I would like to get some information on how it is going to function going forward because it is already done," he said.

Coeshea Cann, 18, working with Freisenbruch-Meyer as a temp, said: "I do not agree with it. I just feel that the Corporation's been running all this time and they have done a wonderful job."

Kyle McNeil, 17, working with his father installing security systems, said: "I don't mind the Government's takeover. I am not into all that really. I don't know."

A 52-year-old book-keeper said she agreed with Government's plan. "From what I understand it is private individuals who are controlling everything in town so if that is the case I am more for the Government taking care of it instead of private individuals."

Dean Douglas, 46, a courier said: "No, leave it the way it is because if it is not broken why change it. It has been run the way it has been run all these years, but I think there is more to it on the Government's side that they are not saying."

A 65-year-old construction worker said: "I think the (Government) should leave it alone. I think they should let the Corporation run their affairs and their system."

Another 34-year-old construction worker said: "I don't know enough details to make an informed decision so I can't say I agree or not.

"Some people agree some people do not. Some people in the Corporation are against it, but as the average person I am not sure how it necessarily effects me or why either of them feels the way they do."

Don Figueiredo, 46, said he wasn't in support of the plan to abolish the municipalities. He said: "No because the Government already has too much stuff going on and all the money they have been spending for no reason. I mean the Corporation has been doing a good job as it is. Once the Government gets a hold of it that is it."

Jared Pearman, 23, working in the I.T. industry, said: "I just think the Government have everything else. They do not need to get this and there is nothing wrong with the Corporation, I don't see no problem."

Hi co-worker Nicole Smith, 31, added: "The only Corporation I think Government can help out is St. George's. I do not know all the particulars."

A 63-year-old social service worker disagreed with the takeover. "If it worked up until now why change it? It isn't broke why fix it? Government just want more money in their pockets. They just need the extra money because they wasted so much," he said.

Andre Simons, 48, was not sure about the issue. He said: "I do not know. I haven't really thought of that really. What are the ramifications if they do take over. I heard about it but I do not really have an opinion."