Click to enlarge photos.By Ashley Hungerford
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer
MARIETTA - Southwest Cobb Commissioner Annette Kesting filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy on March 3, but on Tuesday, in a brief phone interview with the Marietta Daily Journal, Kesting said, "I don't have to go through that."
"My mortgage company worked something out with me and put my payments on the back burner," she said. "I'm not in bankruptcy. I don't have to go through that."
When asked to elaborate further, Kesting reiterated that she "doesn't have to go through that," and would answer no other questions.
Kesting is in her first term on the Cobb County Commission and is seeking reelection this year. She earns $40,944 per year, plus mileage reimbursements, as a commissioner. Her job includes approving the county's $852 million budget. On her qualifying application, she lists no occupation, writing in that she is a "homemaker."
This is not the first time Kesting has filed for bankruptcy, and she has had several foreclosure filings against her and numerous citations for code violations on properties she owns.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court records show Kesting previously filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy - in which individuals promise to use available income to repay as many creditors as possible - in October 2007. That filing was dismissed in December, the court said.
The bankruptcy filing halts all foreclosure proceedings. A duplex Kesting owned, at 4506 Cemetary Street in Powder Springs, could have been sold Tuesday at the monthly foreclosure auction. Kesting and her husband, Christian, paid $90,000 for the duplex on Feb. 17, 2004. Citi Residential, a subsidiary of Citibank, had twice initiated foreclosure proceedings this year.
Last summer, Option One Mortgage Corporation started foreclosure proceedings against Kesting and her husband, Christian, on two more duplexes, at 4502 and 4504 Cemetary St. The Kestings purchased both of those properties in September 2005 for about $100,000 each.
None of the Kestings' properties have been sold at foreclosure auction, held at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of the month on the steps of the Cobb County Courthouse.
Option One Mortgage Corporation is listed as the creditor in the March 3 bankruptcy petition. Sidney Gelernter, with the Decatur law firm McCurdy and Candler, could only confirm he is representing Option One.
Powder Springs code inspectors have cited 23 maintenance violations for the three properties. Problems cited include needing improvements or replacements to roof and drainage, overhang extensions, protective treatment or paint, window and doorframes, and rotten or soft exterior boards.
Kesting was elected to the Cobb Board of Commissioners in 2004. On her 2004 candidate qualifying form, she listed her occupation as homemaker.
She is the only Democrat on the Commission. Two others, former Commissioner Woody Thompson and community advocate Clarice Barber-Page, have said they will challenge Kesting for the Democratic nomination.
ahungerford@mdjonline.com
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Posted Comments
This story is too invasive and personal.
Is this really the type of person we want managing a county with an $852 Million dollar budget, 4,000 employees, and 675,000 residents? Someone who can't even manage their own affairs and take responsible? Hopefully the voters will agree that we can do better in November.
Too invasive and personal??? This woman holds and elected position in county government that oversees an $850 million dollar budget and she can't even manage to keep her own financial house in order. Plus she owns properties that have had 23 county code violations. Too invasive and personal??? I say if she does not want articles written about her that question her basic ability to manage financial matters, she should stick to the private sector. It sure looks like she will have the opportunity to move back to the private sector VERY soon! That sure appears to me like it would be a good thing for Cobb County.
...now there's an honest politician for ya! (she's really turned dictrict 4 around, huh?)
Sorry but if I lived in this commission district I would be looking for a new Commissioner to elect. Its pretty sad but here is a woman who cannot manage her own finances but sits as a voting member of a Commission responsible for about 4,000 employees and millions of dollars of tax money. We are lucky to have 4 other Commissioners to keep a check and balance system.
...no, there are no checks & balances. The other commissioners just send all the illegals & unwanted trash to thrive in her district!.. and she doesn't understand,... IT'S NOT GOOD FOR PROPERTY VALUES!!
Put them on the back burner? When will politicians learn that being honest and forthright goes a long way in winning over voters.
If she can't manage her own personal finances then she shouldn't be the commissioner. Honestly, I can't believe she was elected in the first place. I will be voting for the person who runs against her.
Annette, I think there are a lot of "angry voters" in your district. Open mouth, insert foot! Doesn't our district deserve something better? Oh and by the way that question is rhetorical! Rhetorical means: of, concerned with, or having the nature of rhetoric. Rhetoric: (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast. Hope that helps!