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Citizens seek East Ridge mayor’s ouster

By: Adam Crisp
(Contact)

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A group of East Ridge residents is trying to force Mayor Mike Steele from office, a court filing shows.

Forty-four residents from the Hamilton County city have signed an ouster petition that alleges Mr. Steele has usurped powers beyond those given him in the City Charter. The petition was filed Thursday in Hamilton County Criminal Court.

Among the allegations are that Mr. Steele, without City Council consent, set up an office, took a dedicated telephone line and began conducting the city’s day-to-day business, hiring employees and giving direct commands to city employees and spending city money. Those are duties meant for the city manager, petitioners argue.

“The citizens are mainly upset with everything that’s been going on in East Ridge over the last few years,” said Jacqueline Fulks, a petitioner. “Mike Steele is running the show in East Ridge, and according to the City Charter, he should not be running the show.”

Petitioning seems to have begun Aug. 23, the day Mrs. Fulks, Charles J. Jordan and Vernon Liston signed the petition. Other signers include Bill Brenemen and former Hamilton County Board of Education member Debbie Colburn.

The suit makes allegations against Mr. Steele similar to those leveled by former East Ridge City Attorney Cris Helton in an ouster effort filed in June 2007. A month later, the council voted to remove Mr. Helton as city attorney.

Mr. Steele, who said he hadn’t reviewed the complaint because he was in Atlanta on Thursday, said it sounds similar to the 2007 one, which eventually was dropped.

“Maybe I’m just different than what they are used to in a mayor,” Mr. Steele said. “I’m just a get-it-done type of mayor. Most people I talk to say, ‘Hey, go get it done, Mike.’”

He said no one has complained to his face, by phone, e-mail or at council meetings that he was doing anything inappropriate.

“When I first heard about this petition being circulated, I passed word that I’d like to sit down and talk to whoever had a complaint with me,” Mr. Steele said. “I’m not intentionally doing anything that I think is wrong. Do I make mistakes? I’m sure I do, but I was never afforded the chance to explain myself.”

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