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SALT LAKE CITY — An evening of sometimes heated political discussion spilled into the hallway outside the City Council chambers late Tuesday night, with Council Chairman JT Martin shouting at a Salt Lake City resident.
Following the meeting, witnesses say Martin approached Kate Bradshaw, a volunteer with Millcreek FIDOS (Friends Interested in Dogs and Open Spaces), called her a liar, accused her of trying to ruin his life and threatened to sue her for defamation of character.
Moments earlier, Martin had been on the losing end of a 4-3 vote that allowed dogs to remain off-leash at Parleys Historic Nature Park. He was among the minority of council members who wanted to keep a portion of the park free of dogs.
Bradshaw said she "in no way attempted to address (Martin)" following the meeting and that Martin approached her and began yelling at her.
"He started yelling at me that I was a liar," she said. Martin called the incident "a personal issue between Kate and I," and that he felt she was taunting him that the vote had gone her way.
"I had to walk past her, and she made some kind of remark," he said. "That set it off. ... I do not believe that public officials need to take abuse. I just don't. I don't have to put up with personal abuse, and I won't."
I do not believe that public officials need to take abuse. I just don't. I don't have to put up with personal abuse, and I won't.
–Council Chairman JT Martin
Bradshaw says she didn't make any comment to or about Martin prior to being approached by the councilman.
Tuesday's altercation came roughly six months after an incident in which Bradshaw says Martin swore at her from his vehicle while she was walking her dog. The incident was reported by local media.
Martin said his three young daughters were in the car with him at the time of the alleged altercation, and no curse words were used. He said he told Bradshaw Tuesday night that "you know and I know that I didn't say it. And my children know it."
Bradshaw says Martin's children were not in the car, and she argued that point with him Tuesday night.
Martin said the insinuation that his children were being dishonest is what caused him to raise his voice.
"That makes a father angry," he said.
Martin says he believes Bradshaw made the story up "for political gain."
"She hoped to use that as a wedge to promote the FIDOS cause," he said.
Bradshaw, a registered lobbyist and a former public relations officer for the Utah House of Representatives, said her husband and two others witnessed the incident. She said Martin owes her a public apology, and that she will consider filing a complaint with the city.
E-mail: jpage@desnews.com
