Fairmount City Councilwoman Linda Sledge Johnson said she is happy that a judge threw out a recall petition seeking to remove her from office.

Judge William Boyette of Whitfield County ruled earlier this week that the petition, filed by Fairmount resident Shirley Boots, was not “logically connected” and lacked “particularity.”

Johnson, in a statement to the Calhoun Times, said the recall petition was the result of “small town politics.”

“When you’re on the city council, you have to make the best decisions for the people and the city, and sometimes people don’t like the outcome,” Johnson said.

Boots petition alleged that Johnson had committed an act of misconduct while in office and willfully misused, converted, or misappropriated public property entrusted to her. She also alleged in court documents that Johnson displayed behavior unbecoming of a city council member with a city employee which resulted in the employee’s resignation, misuse of items donated to the Mayor’s Motorcade, continued harassment of businesses resulting in loss of revenue for the city, failure to pay 2008 taxes, and suing the city resulting in taxpayers having to pay attorney fees for both parties.

Doug Flint, attorney for Johnson, argued that each statement lacked particularity or specifics required by the court, and Boyette agreed.

Johnson said she was pleased with the judge’s ruling.

“I did nothing wrong, and my reputation was on the line, but we had to follow due process,” she said. “Anybody can start a recall; anybody can twist the facts.”

Johnson said that despite the ordeal, she has enjoyed serving the people of Fairmount.

“I want to say thank you to my family and my friends for their support,” she said. “I also would like to thank the residents of Fairmount that I serve in the capacity of a city council member for their support.

“When I was elected, I took an oath to uphold the city charter, which I have done. I have also completed 42 hours of accredited continuing education in city government through the Georgia Municipal Association.”

Johnson said she was glad that the ordeal, which she called “very stressful,” is finally over.

When asked earlier if she planned legal action against Boots, Johnson referred the questions to her attorney.