Former councilman arrested over battles with city staff

A former Doraville city councilman trying to launch a recall election was arrested this week after confrontations with city staff.

Tom Hart called his Wednesday arrest on charges of disorderly conduct and simple assault politically motivated. He plans to submit the 100 signatures needed for a recall application on Monday, to begin a recall of Mayor Ray Jenkins and councilwoman Maria Alexander.

“It’s bullying. It is a method of intimidation that won’t work,” Hart said of his arrest, adding he was having “discussions” and not fights with city staff.

Jenkins, a former political foe of Hart, said he was not connected “in any way” to his arrest, which came as a result of a police investigation after an argument between Hart and building inspector John Calcaterra at city hall on Tuesday.

“Mr. Hart has made significant contributions to this city, but that doesn’t give him the right to hassle staff,” Jenkins said.

Hart allegedly pounded on the counter and reached through a glass partition for Calcaterra during a disagreement over a permit, prompting other workers to call police, said city spokesman Luke Howe.

Hart left shortly after the confrontation, but police looked into that incident and also a tussle on March 31 with city planner Scott Haeberlin. They decided to charge Hart, police said.

The city took out DeKalb County warrants on Hart through magistrate court, with Doraville police pulling him over as he drove Wednesday evening to deliver more sign-up sheets for the recall.

Hart stepped down from city council in 2007, when he ran unsuccessfully against Jenkins for mayor. He claims in his recall application that Jenkins and Alexander have violated city ethics regulations that require officials to act in the public interest and not personally benefit from city business. The documents do not provide any specific examples of wrongdoing.