A Hamilton County judge has dismissed a petition for ouster against East Ridge Mayor Mike Steele.

In a decision issued today, Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Don Poole said “a city officer’s violation of a city charter or statute does not necessarily constitute a grounds for ouster, clear and convincing proof of knowing or willful misconduct or neglect of an official’s duty is necessary.”

A group of East Ridge citizens had filed the petition to remove Mr. Steele from office, saying he’d overstepped his legal bounds as mayor on several occasions.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press