N.H. Democratic Chairman Faces Foreclosure on His Home

Democratic State Chairman Chris Spirou says he is fighting a bank’s threatened foreclosure on his home, a further sign of the economic woes plaguing this leadoff presidential primary state.

“None of us has been spared, but that’s what happens when you live in a state that has been hit by an earthquake that registers 10 on the economic Richter scale,” Spirou said.

Spirou said his consulting business has gone to pieces because of the collapse of the real estate market. He said that has forced him to skip three months of mortgage payments and two years of property tax payments.

Spirou, the 1984 Democratic candidate for governor, owes more than $7,200 in taxes and interest on his home. He also has a $109,000 judgment against him in connection with his business.

Local officials across the state have reported late tax payments. Manchester’s tax collector, Felix Catudal, said the situation is the worst in 25 years.

Spirou said he doesn’t mind talking about his situation because he figures he is in good company: 150,000 others in New Hampshire also are behind on their home payments, he said.