By MAYOR LIAM LAFOUNTAIN, City of Biddeford On Monday, March 2 at 6 p.m., the Institutional Zone Review Committee will hold its first public hearing at City Hall. The meeting begins the public input phase of a broader review of how Biddeford regulates institutional development. For many residents, the term “Institutional Zone” may not be … Continue reading OPINION | Mayor explains new UNE committee
Month: February 2026
LETTER | Let’s focus on collaboration, not division
City is on the right track in its thoughtful, measured review of UNE development plans I read the recent letter regarding the University of New England review committee with concern, but also with a sense that the issue deserves a more balanced perspective. What was city thinking? Biddeford Gazette, Feb. 28, 2026 It is important … Continue reading LETTER | Let’s focus on collaboration, not division
INTERVIEW | David Kurtz, city councilor, lawyer and hiker
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor David Kurtz takes in a deep breath – pauses – and looks away, toward the coffee shop’s window before answering one of our questions during an informal and candid interview. Kurtz, 39, is one of the three new Biddeford city councilors who were each first elected to office in November. Despite … Continue reading INTERVIEW | David Kurtz, city councilor, lawyer and hiker
READER OPINION | What was city thinking?
Weighted UNE committee is appalling and patently unfair to UNE By DIANE SNOW, Special to the Gazette A recent Portland Press Herald story regarding the committee set up to review the plans for University of New England [Biddeford Committee plans public hearing, Feb. 24, 2026] left me appalled because the committee is comprised primarily by … Continue reading READER OPINION | What was city thinking?
OPINION | Affordability is a concern for all
Rep. Marc Malon offers his latest monthly column By REP. MARC MALON (D-Biddeford) Affordability isn’t just some buzzword, nor the latest political fad or a hoax. It is a core concern of Biddeford residents and Mainers throughout our state, and it has been for years.. We’ve all witnessed how even folks with solid middle class … Continue reading OPINION | Affordability is a concern for all
BRCOT Students Place in Statewide Culinary & Hospitality Competition
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer With the pressure of a Top Chef-style showdown—and none of the usual kitchen comforts—Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT) Culinary and Hospitality students competed in the Maine ProStart State Invitational on February 24, 2026, placing second and third, respectively. Biddeford Regional Center of Technology’s Culinary Arts students place second in … Continue reading BRCOT Students Place in Statewide Culinary & Hospitality Competition
Offering Hope | ‘What they’ve done is not who they are’
By TAMMY WELLS, York County Government media ALFRED, Maine – On a recent Saturday as the Mass at York County Jail neared its end, those eligible for Holy Communion moved to partake. Others were asked by Bishop Robert Deeley if they would like a blessing, and several residents stepped forward with their arms crossed on … Continue reading Offering Hope | ‘What they’ve done is not who they are’
OPINION | Biddeford should keep Center
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain ran his campaign last year on a platform dedicated to restoring accountability and increasing transparency at City Hall. Those were good messages, and the voters agreed with LaFountain, giving him the edge over the incumbent former mayor. LaFountain pledged to hit the ground running, and he’s already … Continue reading OPINION | Biddeford should keep Center
Adams Point housing | ‘An exciting project’
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Guy Gagnon has been excited about this particular project for several years. The project is Adams Point, a 39-unit affordable family housing project on the upper end of Adams Street in Biddeford. Following more than three years of planning and construction, Adams Point is expected to finally open in April. The … Continue reading Adams Point housing | ‘An exciting project’
Salamone drops out of state senate race
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Political newcomer John Salamone, a Republican who recently moved to Hollis from Portland, announced on social media Monday that he is withdrawing from the Dist. 32 State Senate race. In a brief post on his personal Facebook page, Salamone wrote: "After a great deal of reflection and prayer, I’ve decided to … Continue reading Salamone drops out of state senate race
Biddeford sidewalks and snow
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Given recent complaints about the city of Biddeford's sidewalk snow removal policies, Jeff Demers, the city's public works director, recently sent the Gazette a detailed explanation regarding his department's priorities when it comes to clearing snow from city sidewalk policies. Jeff Demers, Biddeford Public Works Department director (Seaver photo) Demers said … Continue reading Biddeford sidewalks and snow
Heather Paquette: President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine
Heather Paquette, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine. Photo by Cy Cyr By CY CYR, Contributing Writer, Brick + Tides Outside the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn, the morning felt unmistakably like Maine. The sun was bright, the air was cold, the wind was sharp, and snow clung to the edges of … Continue reading Heather Paquette: President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine
OPINION: Life During Wartime, when reporters compete
When journalists compete, readers win | Good news for people in Biddeford Whether you’re buying a new car or just picking up the week’s groceries, you are always better off when you have choices and competition in the marketplace. It’s no different when it comes to the highly competitive world of journalism. Having choices about … Continue reading OPINION: Life During Wartime, when reporters compete
NEWSLETTER: ‘Looking for a place to happen’
New partnerships, expanding technology will help the Gazette stay connected to you I don’t believe this could have been a better week for the Biddeford Gazette. I am especially excited about several new partnerships that will allow us to give you more news and information about your community. Earlier this week, I was invited to … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: ‘Looking for a place to happen’
Republicans are using fraud scandals against Democrats in key races
By TORRIE HERRINGTON, NOTUS for The Maine Monitor Republicans are trying their best to tie Democrats to fraud this election cycle. President Donald Trump has spent months hammering Minnesota for its handling of a welfare scheme. The Republican National Committee has referred to Maine’s governor, who is now running for Senate, as “Fraudulent Janet Mills.” And the … Continue reading Republicans are using fraud scandals against Democrats in key races
UNE considers gas line extension project
From staff reports Representatives from the University of New England say they are now in “early conversations” with Biddeford city officials about the possibility of extending a natural gas line from the city’s downtown area, along the Rte. 9 corridor, to the school’s Biddeford campus. A UNE spokesperson said the potential infrastructure project could bring … Continue reading UNE considers gas line extension project
New UNE oversight committee begins work
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The first meeting of Biddeford’s revived Institutional Zone Review (IZR) Committee was held Thursday evening, giving members a chance to introduce themselves and to complete several organizational and administrative tasks, including scheduling their first public hearing. The committee was launched earlier this year, at the direction of Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain … Continue reading New UNE oversight committee begins work
Counties urge lawmakers to use state funding — not county funds — to subsidize shelters
By TAMMY WELLS, York County government media York County Commissioners understand the need to support the unhoused through shelter subsidies and are urging legislators to seek ways to support them within the state’s coffers, not the counties’ far slimmer purse. In testimony to the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee at a public hearing Feb. … Continue reading Counties urge lawmakers to use state funding — not county funds — to subsidize shelters
‘You can spread the blame like peanut butter’
City Councilor Marc Lessard falls on his own sword by saying he is partly responsible for some of the city's ongoing financial problems By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Tuesday’s meeting of the Biddeford City Council’s Finance Committee made one fact abundantly clear. The city is still struggling to clean up the damage done over the last … Continue reading ‘You can spread the blame like peanut butter’
Council splits on supporting state bill for emergency shelters
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Despite some misinformation floating about on social media, the Biddeford City Council did not vote Tuesday against funding for emergency shelters to assist unhoused residents. Instead, the council took up a resolution introduced by Mayor Liam LaFountain to express support for a bill now being considered by the Maine Legislature. The … Continue reading Council splits on supporting state bill for emergency shelters
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