Published: July 04, 2008 12:22 am            

NORTH TONAWANDA: Council president finalizes bankruptcy

North Tonawanda Common Council President Brett Sommer announced in December 2006 he would be filing for bankruptcy.

However, the paperwork was only recently filed.

“A little over a year ago, I voluntarily informed the media that my wife and I would be filing for chapter 13. After additional attempts to rectify the situation, the paperwork on this matter was formally completed this past week. We continue to work through this personal financial situation and have accepted responsibility for our actions,” Sommer stated.

A notice regarding the matter ran in sections of area newspapers dedicated to public record June 28.

Sommer, who is also a teacher at North Tonawanda High School, originally said the situation arose for personal financial reasons, including the fact that his wife did not work for a period of time while raising the couple’s children.

She had been the “chief bread winner in the family,” he stated at the time.

His wife, Jennifer, is also a teacher at the high school.

Sommer said part of the expenses they’ve incurred have gone toward two master’s degrees.

Since the December 2006 announcement, he says he has taken a fair amount of criticism. Some have chided the politician for having a say in the budgetary process, accusing him of implied incompetence.

At the time, Sommer said he would step down from the council if a majority of the council members so wished.

They did not.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is designed to allow people with standard incomes to develop a plan for repayment, including mortgage payments, over a period of time.

Unlike other sections of the law, in which foreclosure is often mandated, chapter 13 deals with using available money until debts are resolved.

The nature of Sommer’s job as a public official has served as the basis for publication of the family’s financial situation. The Tonawanda News routinely prints all bankruptcy filings in its circulation, each Sunday.

“I think it’s unfortunate, I think people forget the impact that this has on my wife and my children in this town,” Sommer said.

Contact reporter Neale Gulleyat 693-1000, ext. 114.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.