OPINION: Biddeford needs leadership that listens

Liam LaFountain makes his case about why he should be the city’s next mayor

By LIAM LaFOUNTAIN, Special to the Gazette

Biddeford stands at a crossroads. The decisions we make this November will shape the direction of our city for years to come. We can continue down the same path or we can chart a new course grounded in accountability, transparency, and a genuine commitment to the public good.

Over the past several months, I have knocked on thousands of doors, hosted weekly meetings in every ward, and listened as residents shared their hopes, concerns, and ideas for Biddeford’s future. Across every neighborhood, I’ve heard a mix of pride and frustration: stories about neighbors who look out for one another, about teachers who go the extra mile, and about the growing challenges of housing costs, property taxes, public safety, and aging infrastructure.

Through it all, one message has been clear: Biddeford residents want a city government that listens, plans ahead, and keeps the public interest at the center of every decision.

My vision for Biddeford is a city that grows with purpose: a place where people can afford to live, raise their families, and age with dignity. A city where progress does not leave residents behind. That begins with leadership rooted in accountability, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.

One message has been clear:
Biddeford residents want a
city government that listens,
plans ahead and keeps the public interest
at the center of every decision.

— Liam LaFountain

Accountability means making decisions grounded in evidence, not influence, with clear goals, transparent reporting, and follow-through when promises are made. Transparency means a City Hall where information is easy to find and residents are part of the process not afterthoughts to it. And data-driven leadership means using facts to guide investments in housing, infrastructure, and public safety, so that every dollar spent improves the quality of life for Biddeford residents.

This campaign has never been about one person. It has been about building a shared vision for Biddeford, one shaped by listening. In my four years representing Ward 7 on the City Council and two years as Council President, I have worked with tenants concerned about rising rents, business owners navigating complex city processes, and seniors on fixed incomes striving to remain in their homes. I have also listened to high school students and young families who see promise in Biddeford and want a city that invests in their future.

Those conversations, on doorsteps, in meetings, and across kitchen tables, have guided my approach to every issue. My goal is simple: to ensure the voices of Biddeford residents are reflected in our policies, ordinances, and budgets. The best ideas come from the people living them, and I believe the role of mayor is to turn those ideas into action with discipline, fairness, and transparency.

This Tuesday, November 4th, we have the opportunity to choose what kind of leadership we want for the years ahead. I believe Biddeford deserves leadership that is visible, steady, and grounded in service, a mayor who listens first, acts with integrity, and measures success by how well the city works for its residents.

That is the leadership I will bring to City Hall, and I would be honored to earn your support on Tuesday.

Accountability. Commitment. Transparency.

— Liam LaFountain

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Editor’s Note: The Biddeford Gazette offered all three of Biddeford’s mayoral candidates an opportunity to submit their own column.