When it comes to former city manager James Bennett, Mayor Marty Grohman is correct. The city needs closure from a nightmare that has been hanging over City Hall for several years.
After finally being “placed on administrative leave” in February, Bennet filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city.
Though the city countered Bennett’s claims in their filed response, ongoing litigation would have could have cost the city more than $200,000.
As part of the court-ordered mediation, the city agreed to a settlement of $90,000, which will be paid by the city’s insurance carrier.
Although it is not a direct cost falling onto the taxpayers, it’s quite possible that the city will see a modest increase in its annual premiums, but those potential increases will not come close to $90,000.
From a financial point of a view, the city made the logical decision.
The Bennett saga, however, should be learning lesson for the city. We should never again allow an employee to write their own contract.
Bennett was hired in 2015, long before Grohman joined the city council. Most of the current city council were not on the council in 2015.
But here is the good news for Biddeford.
Truc Dever, Biddeford’s new city manager, is a breath of fresh air. She is the exact opposite of Bennett. She is curious and she listens. She is friendly and transparent. She does not run rough-shod over the council. She is accountable and ready to lead. She is a coach, not a bully.
I swear to God, you can almost literally feel the difference when you walk into City Hall today.
Sadly, Dever, Grohman and many others are still cleaning up the mess that Bennett left behind more than eight months ago.
Hopefully, we all learned a lesson from this. Now it’s time for the healing to begin.
________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 