The Mayor of Hamilton assured voters yesterday that the city was in safe hands — despite a recent string of resignations from councillors and staff members.

Sutherland Madeiros told The Royal Gazette that the 213-year-old municipality would weather the latest storms, including councillor W. Carvel VanPutten leaving amid a claim of discrimination and alderman David Dunkley being found to be ineligible to serve.

But former councillor Graeme Outerbridge — who stepped down last month — told this newspaper yesterday that what was happening at the Corporation could best be described as "cannibalism".

"The board is sitting around destroying itself rather than getting on with the business of the city," he claimed. "Members are more interested in attacking other members than getting on with the business of the city."

Mr. Madeiros refuted allegations that the Corporation was in chaos, with members unable to get on. "I think the Corporation is, frankly, a very well run organisation," he said.

"We have some vacancies that will need to be filled. We have some disagreements but there are legitimate reasons for the absences of members right now."

The Mayor said Mr. VanPutten did not resign but lost his seat because he failed to turn up for meetings for three straight months — despite Mr. Madeiros himself visiting him at his job and advising him to attend.

"It was a few weeks ago. I told him he was conspicuous by his absence and that we were looking forward to seeing him at meetings and urged him to attend. He didn't give an answer as to whether he would or not.

"It's the responsibility of a member to ensure they know what their eligibility requirements are. I do want to make it abundantly clear with Mr. VanPutten that he disqualified himself."

Mr. VanPutten told this newspaper he stopped attending meetings because he was asked to leave a Corporation meeting about the Bermuda Industrial Union as he is a BIU member.

Mr. Madeiros said the request for him to step out was justified.

"Councillor VanPutten has consistently stated that he represents the union and we were having discussions regarding union recognition and we thought there could be a conflict of interest. I think it's been made into a bigger thing than it was."

He said he did not know what Mr. VanPutten meant by discrimination but he hoped he would stand again for election.

Mr. Madeiros said the issue of Mr. Dunkley's eligibility could take some time to resolve as he is appealing against the decision that he is ineligible and it will be decided in Magistrates' Court. Mr. Dunkley can continue to serve as alderman in the meantime.

An investigation into Mr. Dunkley and Mr. 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 in May with the intention of re-registering with different details and standing again for election.

He insisted yesterday that he was never told he was ineligible to serve but that he and Corporation members were given "seven different indications... as to the status of my registration".

"It was inconclusive," said Mr. Outerbridge, adding that he resigned rather than see the issue determined in Supreme Court. "I thought my registration was perfectly intact," he said.

The Mayor said in a statement on Tuesday that Mr. Outerbridge resigned before a final decision was given to him in writing and that his eligibility was no longer relevant.

Mr. Madeiros added yesterday: "If he wishes to run for a vacant position then the secretary will examine his registration to ensure that he is properly registered. I think we will be more vigilant when it comes to members' registration, in particular."