Feedback from our readers reinforces the Gazette’s mission statement
Wow! What a busy week it’s been.
In a few moments, I’ll be headed out the door and on my way to this year’s WinterFest activities in downtown Biddeford.
WinterFest is so much than just a giant man-made sledding hill on Adams Street. It is now three-days of various activities and fun for people of all ages. Over the last 14 years, WinterFest has grown and become one of Biddeford’s most notable community events.
But none of it would be possible without dozens of volunteers and community sponsors. Go here: to learn more about this year’s WinterFest celebration.
A peek behind the scenes at the Gazette
Speaking of celebrations, Laura and I — and some of our closest friends and supporters –celebrated a few milestones achieved this week by the Biddeford Gazette.
It’s mostly some little, housekeeping things — but they all reinforce the idea that the Gazette has grown from just a simple concept to a full-fledged media outlet.
This week, we received our registration papers as a non-profit media company and secured a PO Box for the Gazette. We also opened a business bank account at PeoplesChoice Credit Union. Things are getting real!
We also updated our website with a few new static pages, most notably a section that details our Standards and Policies and a page that describes our history, but there is another new page that leaves me almost speechless and close to tears each time I look at it.
Support from the community
If you get a chance, please check out our READER FEEDBACK page. We have archived some of the comments we have received from the community over the last few months.
If you want to know why I do this, what motivates me and keeps me going — check out some of the feedback we have received from our readers. From my perspective, these comments are more valuable than gold. Thank you so much!
Speaking of gratitude, last week we asked readers for their suggestions about a possible tagline for the Gazette. The suggestions are still coming in, and we will ask our advisory board to help us select the winning entry.
If we pick your suggestion, you will score a $20 gift certificate to Reilly’s Bakery on Main Street. Talk about motivation.
What’s ahead?
It’s election time again, and the Biddeford Gazette will soon begin our coverage of local legislative and York County races with the comprehensive approach that our readers have come to expect.
We also plan to do a deeper dive on several issues now brewing just beneath the surface in Biddeford. Stay tuned! We have some good stuff in the pipeline!
A quick review
During the past week, the Gazette has published several items, including news about Monday’s fire near the Hannaford grocery store and the former Sleepy Hollow motel.
We also updated our coverage regarding a controversial downtown parking plan; and provided our readers with a deeper look at how Biddeford is using its Opioid Settlement Funds. We also had some fun with City Manager Truc Dever – a transplant from the Seattle area – about who she is rooting for in this year’s Superbowl contest.
We were also honored to receive an op-ed this week from former Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman about the benefits of using artificial intelligence and a thought-provoking column about U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner.
From the “Very Good News” department: we posted an update this week, letting people know that the IRS has opted to waive more than $700,000 in penalties and fees dues to some missing health insurance forms on the city’s 2021 tax return.
The Gazette first broke that story last year, and it’s nice to see that it was resolved with a positive outcome.
Okay, now it’s off to WinterFest! We’ll be posting some photos of this year’s celebration later today.
Be safe! Stay Warm! Have fun and . . . Go, Patriots!
______________________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
You may view and learn more about our editorial standards and policies here:
Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies
c.) 2026 All Rights Reserved; Biddeford Gazette, Inc.
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