| Greeks mourn popular Orthodox archbishop
The charismatic cleric was often named Greece's most popular public figure but was also criticized as a reactionary. He died of cancer Monday at his home in Athens, leaving the race for his succession wide open. Christodoulos, 69, was credited with reinvigorating a church seen as distant from its followers in a country where more than 90 percent of the native-born population is baptized into it. Greece's Orthodox Church holds considerable sway among the world's Orthodox churches. Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I is the spiritual leader of the world's 250 million Orthodox Christians. Despite vigorous protests from Orthodox zealots who marched through Athens denouncing the pope as the anti-Christ, Christodoulos in 2001 hosted the late John Paul II — the first pope to visit Greece in centuries.
Officials: Epidemic of foreclosed homes vicious cycle
As these homes are left to decay and devalue, they become less attractive to potential buyers." Paletko agreed, and said that local leaders have been working with representatives at the state and federal level to develop an overall policy that will address the issue. "We need a comprehensive program that is accessible to all of our residents," he said. "We are not ready to announce anything yet, but we are working with the state of Michigan and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to find a solution to this growing problem." Members of the Michigan Legislature have also offered up plans to address the wave of foreclosures throughout the state. Earlier this month, Michigan Democrats unveiled a plan that called for making loans available through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
Loan problems less severe locally
The rate of mortgage-foreclosure filings rose 14 percent in Berks County from 2006 to 2007, according to the Berks County Prothonotary's Office. Part of the reason why the Berks rate is lower than the 75 percent increase in the rate reported nationally is because of the fiscally conservative mindset here, said Gary Yost, chief executive of the Reading-Berks Association of Realtors. For the most part, Berks lenders remained responsible throughout the housing boom, approving mortgages only to those able to repay them, he said. In turn, most buyers were careful not to purchase homes they couldn't afford, he said. Nationwide foreclosures are increasing mainly among two groups — those who borrowed more than they should have through subprime loans and those with adjustable interest rates that have risen, according to the National Association of Realtors.
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