Bankruptcy filings, violations in mayoral candidates' past

PORTSMOUTH

Two candidates for mayor have filed for bankruptcy protection, and four have been cited for property code violations, city and court records show.

D. Stefan Adams Sr. filed for bankruptcy protection twice, in 2001 and 2003, according to federal court records. The second filing was a continuation of the first case, which was interrupted because a payment was made about a week late, he said.

Adams said the financial difficulties stemmed from his wife's medical issues. Eunice Jeanette Adams is a joint debtor in the 2003 case.

"There are a lot of things that have been going on with my wife over the years," Adams said. "It was either take a stand and do something, or be overwhelmed by what we were facing."

The terms of the 2003 bankruptcy were fulfilled and all payments made, records show. Adams, a Portsmouth native and bishop at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Franklin, said the filings should not reflect on his fitness to be mayor.

"I do not believe, as some do, that that would have a bearing on the ability to lead and to govern and to make decisions about the money of others," Adams said.

Lee Cherry filed for bankruptcy protection in 1993. He said he sought the protection over a bank loan he received to develop Cherry Point Stables, a business for which he was vice president from 1988 to 2008.

Cherry said the bank wanted the money repaid when he left a family business, Cherry Carpet, following what he described as a disagreement with his brother.

"It was a strategic move where I had to use the law to defend myself, not because of reckless spending," he said.

Cherry went on to start Lee Cherry Carpet Sales in Norfolk, a business that he closed a few years ago to enter semi-retirement. He said he didn't have to pay off the loan because of bankruptcy protection, but he did.

A check with the treasurer's office showed all the candidates and their businesses, except for Adams, were current on city taxes and fees. He owed $64 in real estate taxes on a vacant lot and more than $700 in personal property taxes and license fees on two vehicles as of last week. Adams disputed the property tax delinquency and said the bill was paid. He said a relative was responsible for the real estate taxes and he did not know they were unpaid.

The Maple Avenue property also had repeated code violations for weeds from 2000 to 2004, and some for debris, according to online city records. Adams was cited in February for a debris and paint violation at his home.

Other candidates had code violations, too. Bill Moran's home address was cited in 2003 for debris and vehicles.

The address for Kenny Wright's engineering firm was cited for weeds in 2008. Wright didn't recall the notice but said he has people cut the grass there every week.

Billy Baker had violations for weeds in 2004 and debris in 2005 at his home, and for weeds twice last year at another property of which he listed as an owner.

"I try to keep things pretty clean," Baker said.

Dave Forster, (757) 446-2627, dave.forster@pilotonline.com

Cheryl Ross, (757) 446-2443,cheryl.ross@pilotonline.com