LaFountain hopes to be next mayor

Liam LaFountain says he’s running for mayor because Biddeford needs a “course correction.”

LaFountain, 28, was chosen by his fellow councilors as the council’s president two years ago, at the beginning of his second term as the council’s Ward Seven representative.

A native and lifelong resident of Biddeford, he is the son of former State Senator and school committee member Lloyd LaFountain. And the younger LaFountain says he was “intrigued” by politics at an early age.

Today, LaFountain works as a senior data analyst for Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine, “a collaborative non-profit of private employers and public trusts dedicated to lowering healthcare costs and improving quality.”

After attending Biddeford schools, including St. James, Biddeford Intermediate and Biddeford Middle School, LaFountain graduated from Gonzaga University, a Jesuit school in Washington state, where he earned a degree in international relations.

He and his wife, Eisha, have been married four years and own a home on Elm Street.

LaFountain says his campaign is built on a foundation of increasing public trust and repairing government accountability with a “back-to-basics” approach that will ensure the city’s residents know what is happening at City Hall with improved transparency.

In all his campaign materials, LaFountain uses ‘ACT” as an acronym to describe his priorities. Accountability, Commitment and Transparency.

“Biddeford is at a pivotal moment,” LaFountain said. “The choices we make today—about education, housing, infrastructure, public services and other priorities—will shape our city for decades to come.

“That future must be built with care, grounded in data, and rooted in what residents truly need,” he added.

LaFountain said his top concern is about “affordability” on many different levels.

“We have a situation now where people are paying more than 50 percent of their take-home pay on housing,” he said. “That’s just not a sustainable course for the city.”

LaFountain said it’s important to note that the issue of affordability also impacts small and mid-sized businesses in the city because people have less discretionary income for shopping or dining and said business are also grappling with skyrocketing rents and increasing taxes.

“Our future must be built with care,
grounded in data, and rooted
in what residents truly need”

— Liam LaFountain

As he continues his campaign, LaFountain says he has heard from scores of residents who are frustrated about a lack of responsiveness from city government.

“We really do need to get back to basics,” he said. “We have to make sure that we’re getting information to residents, but we also have to make sure that all community voices are heard.”

Over the last few months, Liam has voiced concerns about private development projects that offer little or no benefit to residents.

“We need development that serves us, not just development for development’s sake,” he said. “We seem to have our roles reversed, catering to private interest instead of the people we represent.”

As examples of development that relied upon public investments that offer scant benefits for taxpayers, LaFountain pointed to the Marble Block building on Main Street that is now home to a bowling alley and luxury apartments that are being rented for more than $4,000 per month.

“We provided that developer with nearly $1 million of credit enhancements, which will put residential taxpayers on the hook for many years to come,” he said. “What are we really getting in return? I’d rather see that money invested in our recreation department that offers safe after school opportunities for all kids, regardless of their ability to pay.”

“The gravy train has to stop,” he added. “Our focus needs to be on the public. We should be promoting things that offer broad public benefit.”

In addition to holding developers accountable, LaFountain says that the same standard needs to be applied at City Hall.

“We are still two years behind on our internal audit,” he said. “That’s just not acceptable. We have let things slide, and it is a disservice to our community.”

LaFountain says city leaders need to “meet people where they are,” whether through rotating, small ward meetings or open-office hours at City Hall.

“Biddeford residents are thirsty for information,” he said. “We cannot just focus on the good news. We need transparency and accountability especially when it comes to facing our challenges.”

When asked why he is willing to give up a lot of his time and energy as the city’s mayor, LaFountain said he is concerned that so many of the kids he grew up with can no longer afford to live in Biddeford.

“Biddeford is where I grew up,” he said. “This is where I hope to grow old.”

For more information about LaFountain’s campaign, please visit his campaign website: LaFountainForMayor.com

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Biddeford mayor wants another term

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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