Month: February 2026

Biddeford’s skatepark: ‘It’s a matter of trust’

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

During Tuesday’s city council meeting, several residents used the words “community engagement,” during a public hearing about how the city should prioritize funding of its neglected recreational assets.

Several of those who testified before the council pointed to the principles and importance of community engagement, arguing that the council should prioritize projects that have received the most public feedback — most notably support for repairing or replacing the city’s former skate park that was located on outer Main Street as part of Rotary Park.

Tuesday’s public hearing was only the city’s latest effort to again seek public input and feedback about the city’s recreational facilities, and which projects should be a priority.

In November, voters approved a $6 million bond that is designated for upgrades and repairs to more than a dozen of the city’s recreational assets, including parks, playgrounds and infrastructure.

Anne Thompson of Biddeford tells the city council that the skatepark was a vital community resource, especially for at-risk youth who may not participate in more structured recreational activities (Seaver Photo)

The city recently released an online survey that asked residents to rank the projects that are the most important to them.

Over the next few weeks, city councilors from each of the city’s seven voting wards will be hosting individual ward meetings to solicit resident feedback about the recreation bond and other community issues.

Several people packed the council chambers Tuesday but most left quickly after the recreation public hearing.  

Despite several pleas and noting the importance of public engagement, there was absolutely no community engagement or public comment during a second public hearing regarding the use of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Kids got a ‘raw deal’ from the city

The former skate park received broad public support from a diverse and vocal group of city residents.

Several residents said the city “took away” the skate park, a popular social gathering spot for younger residents.

City officials, however, maintain that the park was closed because of “safety and liability” concerns created by cracked and crumbling concrete skating pads.

Steven Gudschinsky of Biddeford told the council that the city should have been maintaining the skatepark as opposed to letting it fall into disrepair (Seaver photo)

Several residents balked at the city’s rationale for closing the park, arguing the city has a responsibility to repair and maintain all of its public infrastructure, including the skatepark.

“We now have an opportunity to heal an old wound,” said resident Holly Culloton during her remarks in support of the skatepark.

Other residents were equally as passionate, saying the city should embrace “atonement” for its decision to close the park nearly two years ago.

Anne Thompson, an older resident, told the council that the skatepark was a vital community asset and a resource for “at-risk kids” who may not participate in more structured school sports programs.

Steven Gudschinsky of Biddeford didn’t mince his words.

“The kids and the voters got a raw deal,” he said. “That park should have been maintained all along”

Why was previous public input ignored?

Biddeford resident Samanntha Lance and her wife, former city councilor Neva Lance, drew rousing applause from the audience when they offered their comments to the council from the podium.

Former city councilor Neva Lance watches as Samanntha Lance tells the council that they are duty-bound to honor a commitment the city made more than two years ago about the former skatepark. This is a matter of trust, she said. (Seaver photo)

Samanntha Lance reminded the newer members of the council that her wife attended a previous public meeting about the skate park that was also attended by former mayor Marty Grohman and current mayor Liam LaFountain – before the skate park was closed for public use.

Lance told the council that a “large number of parents and young people” also attended that event.

“That meeting was not casual conversation,” Lance told the council. “It was a serious discussion. Families and kids showed up. They spoke about what the skate park meant to them. They shared concerns, ideas, and hopes for its future. Their input was documented. And the three sitting city officials present — including my wife — gave their word that their concerns would not be ignored and that the skate park was not gone forever.”

Lance said those words seemed to fall on deaf ears, despite continued robust community input during subsequent city meetings.

“The city later told those same families that funding was not available,” Lance told the council. “Residents were encouraged to pursue fundraising efforts — GoFundMe campaigns and other community-driven solutions — if they wanted to see the project rebuilt.”

Lance said the skate park should not have to compete among the city’s other recreational assets because the public already spoke out overwhelmingly in support of the skate park.

“The public showed up in numbers we have not seen for any other recreation issue in the past year. The community has already spoken,” Lance said.

“In a time when trust in government is fragile, keeping your word matters. When public officials give their word to families and children, that promise should stand — especially when the funding now exists.”

“This is about more than concrete and ramps,” Lance added. “It is about trust. It is about accountability. And it is about showing this community — especially its young people — that when they show up and speak, their government listens.”

CORRECTION: An earlier version of the story incorrectly listed Samanntha Vance as Samantha Vance. It has been corrected. We apologize for the error.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

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© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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City Theater presents: The Secret Garden

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Contributed Story

City Theater’s Spring production is the magical Tony Award-winning musical The Secret Garden, which will run from March 13 to March 29.

The book and lyrics are by Marsha Norman and music is by Lucy Simon.

Charlotte Van Ledtje as Mary and Nathaniel Cummons as Colin in City Theater’s magical production of The Secret Garden. (Photo by: Rich Obrey)

The Secret Garden is based on the novel of the same title by Frances Hodgson Burnett, considered a classic. It has elements of magic. It’s got nature. It’s beautiful and dark and quite wonderful.

The Secret Garden shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is no performance on Sunday, March 5.

Tickets are $30 & $35 (all fees included) and are available at www.citytheater.org or 207-282-0849.

Note: To learn more about other upcoming events, please visit the Biddeford Gazette’s COMMUNITY EVENTS page.

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Angers considers run for county commission

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A longtime fixture at City Hall, Roch Angers tells the Gazette he wants to follow in Richard Dutremble’s footsteps at the county level

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Roch Angers – a longtime former Biddeford city councilor and a current planning board member – told the Gazette Sunday that he is seriously considering a run for the District Two seat on the York County Board of Commissioners.

The county’s District Two seat is being vacated this year by Richard Dutremble of Biddeford who announced in January that he will not seek reelection after 20 years of service on the board.

Last week, former Biddeford City Councilor Doris Ortiz formally announced that she is hoping to replace Dutremble as the county commissioner representing Biddeford.

RELATED: Ortiz announces run for York County Commission

Angers, 73, is a well-known politician in the city of Biddeford. For many years, his family ran a small grocery store on South Street. He attended St. Louis High School and then graduated from Biddeford High School in 1971.

Angers has been a fixture at City Hall for more than three decades. His brother Luc was Biddeford’s city clerk in the 1980s.

Former Biddeford City Councilor Roch Angers (Contributed photo)

Roch Angers has served on the Biddeford City Council under four different mayors, including Lucien “Babe” Dutremble, Roger Normand, Donna Dion and Alan Casavant.

“I guess you could say that I have been around for quite a while,” he laughed during a telephone interview. “I still enjoy public service.”

Angers, a self-described moderate and fiscal conservative, said he wants to follow in Dutremble’s footsteps.

“I think he [Dutremble] is an outstanding commissioner,” Angers said. “When I learned he was stepping down, I picked up the phone and begged him to stay in the seat.”

Angers has served nearly a decade on the Biddeford Planning Board, and he became the center of controversy last year when he personally appeared before the Biddeford City Council to express his concerns about a controversial research pier being proposed by the University of New England.

In August – only days before the planning board narrowly voted 3-2 to approve the project — Angers told the council he was troubled by the review process.

“Something about this seems fishy,” Angers told the council. He was one of two planning board members who later voted against the proposal.

RELATED: Planning board member tells council UNE plan seems fishy

Planning Board member Roch Angers shares his concerns about UNE’s controversial plan to build a research pier on the Saco River during an August 5, 2025 council meeting. “Something about this feels fishy,” he said. (Seaver photo)

Former Mayor Marty Grohman was incensed by Angers’ move to speak publicly about the project while also serving as a member of the planning board.

Grohman later attempted to remove Angers from the planning board but got almost no support for that effort from the city council.

When Grohman brought the issue forward, the council remained silent and stone-faced. No one would second a motion offered by former Ward One City Councilor William Emhiser.

After several seconds of silence from the other eight councilors, City Attorney Harry Center advised the mayor that the issue was dead on arrival.

Grohman later told the Gazette that he would continue his efforts to remove Angers from the planning board. That never happened.

Today, Angers is enjoying his retirement after working many years in various management positions for Shaw’s supermarkets across Maine.

“I think I have something to offer,” Angers said, pointing out that he is concerned about the growing county budget and its impact on Biddeford and the city’s neighboring communities of Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

Angers said he hopes to make a final decision about running in the next few days. He said he has been calling several people throughout the community.

“Many people have told me that they would support me,” Angers said. “I am honored and truly appreciative of that support, but I want to make sure that I dot my I’s and cross my T’s,” he laughed.

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CORRECTION: This story contained an error, stating that Angers retired as a butcher from the Shaw’s supermarket in Saco. In fact, Angers retired from Shaw’s after many years of working in various management positions for Shaw’s supermarkets across the state. We have corrected the story, and apologize for the error.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE |A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

Our editorial standards and policies: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Ingwersen kicks off campaign in Biddeford

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By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

A small group — including some other legislators — gathered Sunday at Pizza By Alex in Biddeford to help State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Arundel) launch his campaign for a third consecutive term in the Maine State Senate.

RELATED: State Senate race heats up in Biddeford

State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (right) shares a laugh with State Rep. Malon (D-Biddeford) during Ingwersen’s campaign kickoff party in Biddeford (Seaver photo)

Among those attending were State Sen. Jill Duson (R-Portland) and Rep. Marc Malon (D-Biddeford). Biddeford City Councilor David Kurtz attended the event with him mother, and Richard Lambert, a former Biddeford City Councilor, said he was happy to be supporting Ingwersen.

“He’s been doing some good stuff in the Legislature,” Lambert said of Ingwersen.

Ingwersen chats with River Trudo (10) of Biddeford and her mother Rochelle Trudo (Seaver photo)

Kayla Lewis — an associate member of the Biddeford Planning Board — told the crowd that she is serving as Ingwersen’s “campaign captain” in Biddeford and drew rousing applause when she addressed the gathering.

“This meeting shows the collective power and the collective impact that happens when small groups gather,” Lewis told the crowd as she formally introduced Ingwersen.

Kayla Lewis (right) chats with a fellow supporter during Ingwersen’s campaign kickoff party (Seaver photo)

“It’s great to see so many friendly faces,” Ingwersen said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE |A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

Our editorial standards and policies: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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State senate race heats up in Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

This year’s District 32 State Senate race could become a crowded affair.

So far, three candidates have announced their intentions to seek the senate seat that represents Biddeford, Arundel, Dayton, Lyman and Hollis in the Maine Legislature.

The Gazette learned this week that there is a possibility more candidates may be coming forward in the near future for that seat.

The declared candidates now include incumbent Democrat Henry Ingwersen of Arundel; Republican newcomer John Salamone of Hollis; and Independent Jason Litalien, an unenrolled attorney from Biddeford.

Ingwersen
Litalien
Salamone

We spoke recently with Ingwersen and Litalien, but Salamone was unavailable for an interview at press time, saying he would contact us in the near future.

Ingwersen, a retired public-school teacher and a beekeeper, is now serving his second consecutive term in the senate. He is senate chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and also serves on the on the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.

He previously served one term in the Maine House of Representatives from 2018 to 2020, saying he got into politics because of his “frustration” with President Donald Trump, a brash and outspoken Republican.

Ingwersen, 75, says he hopes to win a third term in the senate in order to continue working on issues that matter to his constituents.

“I’m running to continue the work that I’ve always done to build a stronger, more affordable and caring Maine that brings our communities together,” Ingwersen said. “Now, in these impossible times, I feel more strongly than ever before that I am called to support affordable, accessible health care for all, fight for funding for affordable child care for Maine families, take on food insecurity by supporting universal free school meals, and much more.”

He said he enjoys listening to my constituents, and helping them when he is able. “It is what I do, and will keep doing.” Ingwersen said.

Litalien, 50, told the Gazette that he places a strong value on community service.

“Ever since I was a little boy, I have wanted to serve the public,” he said. “Right now, the political climate is so toxic, and that’s why I’m running as an independent candidate. We have to stop pointing fingers at each other and focus on meeting the needs of Maine people.”

Litalien, a veteran who served in the United States Air Force, made his name well-known in the city by running a very strong challenge against former Mayor Alan Casavant in 2019, losing that race by only 107 votes (2,234-2127).

Two years prior, Litalien ran against Casavant as a write-candidate and received only 78 votes.

In 2023, Litalien challenged and lost to former police chief Roger Beaupre for the Ward Three seat on the city council.

Litalien said his number one issue is public education.

“We need to take a serious look at why our students all across Maine are scoring below national averages,” he said.

But education is not Litalien’s only concern.

“It is an atrocity to see all the new taxes that our representatives are approving in Augusta,” Litalien said.

Litalien blames many of Maine’s problems on what he described as a fractured and dysfunctional two-party system.

“What matters to me is fixing the problem, not the color of your necktie,” he said. “Too many people are now blinded by party lines and party allegiance.”

Litalien said today’s publics school students are being taught what to think rather than how to think.

“We have some of the highest per-pupil costs in the country and some of the lowest student test scores,” he said. “That just doesn’t make sense to me.”

Both Ingwersen and Litalien are running as Clean Election candidates as opposed to traditionally funded campaigns.

“I don’t like owing anyone, and this way I am not beholden to anyone or any special interest,” Litalien said.

Ingwersen has previously described Maine’s Clean Elections program as “a valuable tool” that opens the doors to more candidates who might not otherwise be able to seek public office.  “It levels the playing field,” he said.

Ingwersen said he is proud of his accomplishments over the last four years in the senate, pointing to his commitment to fully funding MaineCare and sponsoring a bill to create a network of regional resource hubs to connect child care providers, employers, and families.

He also pointed to a bill he sponsored that would continue the Child Care Employment Award to help pay the child care tuition of those employed as child care professionals.

“I opposed proposed budget cuts to child care worker wage supplements, child care tuition coverage, and Head Start funding, making sure that they were put back into the budget,” Ingwersen said.

When it comes to Maine’s economy, Ingwersen said he worked hard to maintain the state’s commitment to cities and towns by keeping revenue sharing at five percent and funding 55 percent of K-12 education.

“Prior to 2018, revenue sharing was at two percent, and state funding for education was at 49 percent. We increased both of these things over the years and have embedded them in the budget,” Ingwersen said.

There’s a lot more that needs to be done to help the people of Maine, Ingwersen said.

Litalien said the Legislature needs to be “more creative” in addressing problems, and stop creating new taxes such as a recent new tax levied on streaming services such as Netflix.

“When it comes to Augusta, it’s just taxes, taxes and more taxes,” Litalien said. “It has to stop. It’s not sustainable for hard-working Maine families.”

For more information about Ingwersen’s campaign, you may visit his website, Henry for Senate.

For more information about Litalien’s campaign, you may visit his website, Jason for Maine

For more information about Salamone’s campaign, you may visit his website, Salamone for Senate.

This story will be updated as the campaigns continue and new information becomes available.

Correction: Prior to 2018, the state share local K-12 public schools was at 49 percent, not 55 percent which is today’s rate. It was a clerical error, and the story has been updated. We apologize for the mistake

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE |A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

Our editorial standards and policies: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Black Balloon event coming to Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Ryan Paige of Biddeford sits behind a desk in his Main Street office and carefully considers his words while talking about the upcoming “Black Balloon Day” event that will be held on Saturday, March 7.

Black Balloon Day is an annual event to remember people who have been lost to drug addiction and substance use disorder – and to raise awareness and offer hope to those who may be struggling, their families and other members of the community.

This will be the sixth year that the event has been held in Maine, and this year the event will take place for the first time in Biddeford, at the New Life Church on the Alfred Road.

Paige, 44, is the co-founder of the Access Direct Recovery Network, a statewide non-profit organization that provides “direction and connection to individuals suffering with substance use disorder through fast access into a network of treatment facilities and recovery resources” throughout Maine.

Ryan Paige of Biddeford runs the Access Direct Recovery Network and is excited that this year’s Black Balloon event will be held in the same community where he grew up, struggled and began his recovery journey (Seaver photo)

Paige is a recovering drug addict who is now on a mission to provide support, service and resources to other people, regardless of where they are on their own recovery journey. He and his wife, Cynthia, launched Access Direct six years ago.

RELATED |Turning addiction into something positive

The first Black Balloon event held in Maine took place on the Eastern Promenade in Portland six years ago. It was organized by Paige and his friend, Randy Beard – a fellow recovering addict.

“It was a really small event,” Paige recalled. “We had maybe 50 people show up and we had one table set up with information about resources, and it was freezing cold.”

Over the years, the event continually grew.

“In true addict fashion, we decided to try it again,” Paige laughed. “It’s always been a grassroots type thing, but by year two we had between 150 and 200 people.”

Last year, the event was held in Bangor and more than 500 people attended to hear musical performances and share the memories of those who have been lost to addiction.

This is the first year that the Black Balloon event will be held in Biddeford.

“Having it in Biddeford this year means a lot to me,” Paige said. “This where I live. This is where I struggled. I have a strong personal connection to Biddeford.”

Paige says the Black Balloon event is designed to allow people to grieve and share the memories of those who have been lost to addiction. But is also an opportunity for community members, families and others to learn more about available treatment resources.

“We’re constantly working to get rid of the stigma that surrounds so many of these battles,” Paige said. “This event gives people information about resources and a chance to see the power of recovery.”

This year’s event will feature a variety of food trucks and musical performances by artists in recovery from all over the country, including Skyler Ray from Seattle; Colicchie from Pittsburg; Jordan Meyer from Florida and others.

Several community awards – named after people lost to addiction – will be presented to individuals and resource providers.

But there will only be a minimum number of actual black balloons at the indoor Black Balloon event. No balloons will be released.

“During our first year, we heard some concerns from people about the negative impacts that balloons have on the environment and wildlife,” Paige explained. “We want to be good neighbors.”

The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 11 a.m. Performances begins at noon.

For more information, please visit Black Balloon Event

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE |A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

Our editorial standards and policies: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

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NEWSLETTER: Can’t touch this

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Wow! What a week it’s been.

Let’s get right to it. Things have been pretty much non-stop here at the Gazette since the beginning of February.

We set some new records, broke some big stories and had some fun along the way. More about all that in just a moment.

Our promise to you:

A lot of media outlets – large and small – often brag about their commitment to local, community journalism.

At the Gazette, community journalism is much more than just a slogan. It’s a proven track record of being embedded in the community; a promise to always be accessible to everyone on both our website and on the Biddeford Gazette’s social media pages, including our Facebook page.

Never a charge or fee for subscriptions.

We are the only news outlet in southern Maine that actively shares and promotes news about Biddeford from other professional media outlets, including Saco Bay News, the Portland Press Herald, MaineBiz, WGME-TV or WMTW-TV.

Why do we do that? Because we care more about you than about silly competition with other news outlets. That philosophy is embedded in our mission statement.

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to find news and information that impacts Biddeford, no matter where that news is generated.

And when we do share items from our news partners, we make sure those stories are clearly labeled and linked to their originating source.

Speaking of slogans:

A couple of weeks ago we asked our readers for suggestions regarding a potential tagline for the Gazette. We were looking for something unique, something that defines our mission and principles – what sets us apart.

We received dozens of suggestions from our readers: some funny, some serious. But each one of them showed that readers were willing to take time to connect with us for nothing more than the possibility of scoring a dozen donuts from Reilly’s Bakery.

I am pleased to announce that we have a winner. It was me.

Don’t worry, we’re still going through the suggestions to determine who was the runner-up, and who will get to enjoy the tasty treats we promised from Reilly’s.

In fact, it was thoughts about Reilly’s Bakery that inspired what will be our tagline going forward.

Reilly’s is a Biddeford institution built on a legacy that stretches over decades. It is a small, independent bakery focused on quality and customer service.

What sets the Gazette apart from all the others? Simply this: Experience and the community’s trust that has been developed over decades of covering Biddeford news and politics.

I have been covering Biddeford longer than any other journalist actively working today. Nearly 30 years of climbing those wooden creaky stairs at City Hall. No one else even comes close.

Hence, our new tagline:

THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

A media partnership with . . . you

Between Feb. 1 and Feb. 12, we published a total of 22 items on our website, including news and feature stories, guest columns and two weekly obituary updates. That’s more than a 250 percent increase over the same time period last year, and does not include things such as our EVENTS page and BUSINESS listings

But here’s the really exciting part: 40 percent of that recent news and feature material was generated by people in the community, not us.

The community is engaging with the Gazette, and that’s the way we want it. I am excited about this, very excited. All indicators show that we’re on a good trajectory, including our growing list of subscribers and increased traffic on our website.

Some irony, a political shakeup and what’s next

Most journalists go through their whole life without ever being able to write a headline like the one I wrote yesterday: Firefighters fight fire at fire department

Fortunately, no one was hurt but the smoke damage was extensive.

We were honored that the Speaker of the House, State Rep. Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford asked the Gazette if he could submit his column about recent ICE activity in Maine for publication on our site.

On a similar note, former mayor Marty Grohman asked us to publish his recent op-ed about artificial intelligence and its potential benefit for Maine communities. Both State Sen. Henry Ingwersen and State Rep. Marc Malon publish their monthly columns in the Gazette.

We sincerely appreciate their trust and confidence.

And in this corner . . .

Speaking of Marc Malon, it looks like he may face a challenge in his reelection bid for a third term as Biddeford’s District 133 representative. Veteran City Councilor Marc Lessard told us he is giving serious consideration to running for the seat as an unenrolled candidate. This could be the first time that Malon is challenged for his seat.

I think that’s good news. I like Marc Malon. I think he does a decent job and truly cares about the people he represents, but it’s always better for voters if they have options. And we care more about the voters than the politicians.

Two good guys going toe-to-toe. Could be interesting.

I’m outta room. Good stuff coming down the pike! Kiss someone today and celebrate Valentine’s Day!  

P.S. I talked a lot about journalism in this week’s newsletter. If you’d like to see a list of my 12 all-time favorite journalists, hop over to my personal blog Lessons in Mediocrity and check out The List. You will probably recognize some of the names and faces.

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE |A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

Our editorial standards and policies: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Councilor Lessard considering run for state house

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Biddeford City Councilor Marc Lessard confirmed Friday that he is considering a challenge against incumbent State Rep. Marc Malon to represent District 133 in the Maine House of Representatives.

District 133 includes the central and western area of the city. The upcoming election will be held in November.

If he does decide to run, Lessard says he will run as an unenrolled candidate.

“Honestly, I don’t feel that comfortable with any political party,” Lessard said during an exclusive interview with the Gazette. “Many people tell me they are tired of partisan politics.”

Biddeford City Councilor Marc Lessard (City Photo)

Lessard, 62, is a well-known fiscal conservative on the council and said there are several issues prompting him to consider running for state office.

“There are so many things that need our attention in Augusta,” he said. “Our public schools are underperforming; our utility costs are skyrocketing, and too many families are having a hard time just paying their basic bills. To me, this is unacceptable.”

In addition to serving as an at-large representative on the city council, Lessard also serves on the York County Budget Committee.

“I have a full-time job, grandchildren and responsibilities as a city councilor,” Lessard said, noting that is he planning to retire at the end of this year.

Lessard has served on the city council — off and on — for more than 30 years. He is historically one of the city’s biggest vote-getters in municipal elections

Lessard is planning to begin conversations with people who might be interested in supporting his campaign if he ultimately decides to toss his hat into the ring.

“There are a lot of things to consider,” he said. “Should I run as a Clean Elections candidate or as a traditionally funded candidate? I haven’t yet figured out all the details.”

According to state law, Clean Election candidates for the Maine House of Representatives must raise $300 in 60 individual $5 donations in order to qualify for the program.

Malon, a Democrat, is hoping to secure a third term in District 133.

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly 30 years. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

Our editorial standards and policies: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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City councilors plan ward meetings for residents

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

Revising a concept that received mixed results from the public two years ago, Biddeford city councilors who specifically represent one of the city’s seven voting wards plan to host small, personal ward meetings to get resident feedback regarding various city issues.

See below for details regarding dates and locations about the upcoming meetings.

According to a press release distributed by the city, councilors are hoping to hear from residents about their concerns, most notably how they think a recently approved $6 million recreation bond should be spent.

The meetings are scheduled to take place over the next several weeks.

Organizers say the meetings are designed to provide residents with an opportunity for open dialogue and direct engagement with their elected officials.

Pat Boston
Roger Beaupre
Dylan Doughty
David Kurtz
Jake Pierson
Brad Cote

Staff representatives from the city’s recreation department will also attend the meetings to hear input and questions about the city’s various recreational facilities.

Organizers say input from the community will help inform upcoming decisions about recreation investments and neighborhood priorities.

Schedule of Ward Meetings:

(All meetings will be held from 6 – 8 p.m.)

WARD ONE: (Councilor Patricia Boston) March 18, Biddeford Pool Fire Department

WARDS THREE & FOUR: (Councilors Roger Beaupre and Dylan Doughty: February 26, J. Richard Martin Community Center, Alfred Street.

WARD FIVE (Councilor David Kurtz) February 24, City Hall Council Chambers

WARD SIX (Councilor Jake Pierson) March 2, Club House at Rotary Park (Former Teen Center)

WARD SEVEN (Councilor Brad Cote) March 4, Biddeford Ice Arena

Note: The Ward Two meeting with Councilor Abigail Woods will take place in late March; meeting details will be confirmed at a future date.

Not sure of your Ward?

The city is divided into seven individual voting wards. You can use this document to search ward information by alphabetical street s addresses. https://www.biddefordmaine.org/DocumentCenter/View/145/Street-List-with-Wards-PDF

__________________________

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

You may view our editorial standards and policies here: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Biddeford firefighters fight small fire at fire department

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

A few Biddeford firefighters recently found themselves fighting a small fire on the second floor of the city’s Central Station on Alfred Street.

According to Fire Chief Lawrence Best, the small fire happened in the second-floor kitchen during the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 7 at approximately 3:15 a.m.

No one was injured in the incident, but Best said there was extensive smoke damage as the result of the fire.

Best said he is working with the city’s insurance company and estimates that the damage could total several thousand dollars because of smoke damage to ceiling tiles and the building’s HVAC system.

The fire broke out as the result of spontaneous combustion that occurred within a stainless-steel container of dish towels and cleaning rags, Best said.

“It’s actually not that uncommon,” Best explained. “Those towels — over time –soak up lots of oils and cleaning solvents. Thankfully, they were in a stainless-steel container. Otherwise, things might have been worse.”

Best said his employees regularly wash all kitchen towels in the department’s washing machine, which Best described as a “residential-type” appliance. Those types of units generally do not exceed 130 degrees of hot water. In order to effectively remain oils and solvents that build up over time, you need water that ranges between 160 and 170 degrees, Best said.

Because the incident happened in a fire station, Best said that the State Fire Marshall’s Office was notified and conducted its own independent investigation of the incident.

Best said such incidents also require review by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

“It’s an inconvenience, but we’re really lucky that the damage was contained and that no one was injured,” Best said.

______________________

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

You may view our editorial standards and policies here: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Biddeford man in jail, refused arrest

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Update from the Biddeford Police Department:

Wayne Roberts, 54, of Biddeford, was arrested by the Biddeford Police Department after officers were called to a Hill Street residence on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

According to a press release, the Biddeford Regional Communications Center received a phone call reporting that there was a physical altercation going on inside a residence on Hill Street with screaming heard.

The individual involved was identified as Wayne Roberts, 54, of Biddeford. The other involved individual was a protected party in a set of bail conditions belonging to Roberts from a previous domestic violence arrest.

Roberts would not answer the door when officers arrived. With quick thinking by the officers on scene, a Biddeford Police officer was able to obtain a search warrant for the residence. With safety and efficiency, officers executed the search warrant and located Roberts in direct violation of his bail conditions.

Roberts refused to submit to arrest or detention. The victim was located unharmed.

Roberts was charged with Refusing to Submit to Arrest or Detention, Physical Force (Class D) and Violating Conditions of Release (Class E)

Due to the underlying charges of Roberts’ conditions of release, a bail commissioner deemed bail was not an option. Roberts was brought to the York County Jail.

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OPINION | Speaker Fecteau: ICE activities in Maine do not match our state’s values

~ Randy Seaver ~ 3 Comments

By RYAN FECTEAU, Special to the Gazette

A new legislative session is now underway, and there are many pressing matters in front of us that impact Biddeford residents and Mainers from all over. Whether addressing Maine’s housing crisis to overcoming federal funding cuts to important programs like SNAP and healthcare, we have a lot of work to do to make sure Maine families can get ahead and stay ahead.

While our legislative work progresses with the normal cadence of public hearings, work sessions, and floor votes, what has been happening outside the State House, and in our own community here in Biddeford, is anything but normal.

I was dismayed by the surge of ICE agents in our state under the grotesque title of ‘Operation Catch of the Day’. These agents were shirking good policing standards in favor of warrantless, indiscriminate, and quota-driven detentions. I know their actions sowed fear in our community, especially for people of color. It was painful to hear from friends, including those who are lifelong U.S. citizens, who feared they could be profiled and detained based entirely on the color of their skin. So many are now carrying their “papers” (e.g., a birth certificate or passport). Is this America?

House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) Contributed photo

Moreover, the surge of ICE agents and their actions were completely inconsistent with President Trump’s campaign promise to “go after criminals”. The headlines told the true story: whether restaurant workers at Kobe in Biddeford, or corrections officers at Cumberland and York Counties, or a civil engineer with a work visa, this “immigration crackdown” appears less focused on criminals and more about inciting fear and terror among people who came here to chase the promise of America: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I was horrified at the news of a single mom snatched by agents after dropping her daughter off at Biddeford Primary school, and the arrest of Marcos Gaspar Da Silva, who worked on a home renovation project for me. He’s highly rated on the handyman app Thumbtack, because, as I learned, he is hardworking and diligent.

While politicians in DC may say that the “surge” or “enhanced operations” have ended, the devastation left in the wake of ICE’s actions is far from over. ICE agents are still operating in Maine. Families are still seeking information on loved ones who continue to be detained. Lawyers are still trying to connect with their clients as those clients are shuffled among detention centers outside Maine and across the country. Our neighbors are still fearful of going outside, of simply being seen in our community, because they worry they could be next.

_______________

“What has been happening outside the State House,

and in our own community here in Biddeford,

is anything but normal.”

__________________

If what’s happening in Maine wasn’t enough, a nurse who worked at the VA hospital in Minneapolis was killed by an ICE agent just a few weeks ago, at least the fourth shooting fatality linked to immigration enforcement since Trump returned to the Oval Office. The Trump Administration hurriedly made public comments that suggested Alex Pretti was going to carry out a mass shooting against ICE. Of course, this assertion unravels when you see with your own eyes the video of Alex with his hands down on the pavement, surrounded by six or more ICE agents, being shot. Alex is shot just moments after a different agent removes Alex’s gun from a holster. Alex was exercising his Second Amendment rights and had a permit to carry. It didn’t matter. He was killed.

These operations across our country are not making us safer. What we are seeing is inconsistent with safety. There is a reason why we are a nation of laws. There is a reason why warrants are required to conduct searches and arrests. These things demand precision and liability. The rogue, indiscriminate, inhumane, and brutish nature of these ICE operations means innocent and lawful people are being wrongfully detained. It means this agency’s credibility is now nonexistent.

In the legislature, we’ve taken action to protect the rights of Mainers. This fall, LD 1971 became law, ensuring that workers are not detained, investigated, arrested, or searched by state, county, and local law enforcement officers solely for immigration enforcement purposes. And this session, LD 2106 proposes to require a valid, judge-signed warrant for immigration enforcement in sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, daycares, and libraries.

These are uncertain and perilous times. I’ll be honest, it can feel hopeless to see such federal abuses of power and have little oversight. However, I am proud of the ways in which Mainers across our state are standing up for their neighbors, and making it crystal clear that ICE is not welcome to bring their reckless tactics here to foment fear and chaos. These are the moments where we show the best of who we are. These are the moments where we conquer hate with love, fear with hope, and stand strong against a tide that seeks to weaken the pillars of our constitutional republic. These are the moments that define us.

_____________________

Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford is currently serving as Speaker of the House in the Maine House of Representatives.

Mr. Fecteau represents District 132 in the House of Representatives.  He may be contacted at ryan.fecteau@legislature.maine.gov

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York County treatment center gets big boost from two local banks

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By TAMMY WELLS, Media Specialist, York County

ALFRED, Maine – Two local banks with deep roots in York County are leading the way in helping build the York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center.

Partners Bank, headquartered in Sanford, and Kennebunk Savings, headquartered in Kennebunk, have each contributed $150,000 to First County Foundation, the charitable arm of York County government, earmarked for the recovery center.

The 58-bed center under construction at First County Way in Alfred will provide observation, detox, short, medium and long-term residential treatment for people with substance use disorders.

Partners Bank and Kennebunk Savings have each contributed $150,000 to First County Foundation, Inc. earmarked for the York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center. York County Manager Greg Zinser, First County Foundation Board Chair Billy Shore, York County Chief Advancement Officer Rachel Stansfield, Partners Bank President and CEO Anthony Cataldi, Kennebunk Savings President and CEO Lex Meagher, and First County Foundation board members Candice Simeoni, Chris Burbank and Kathy Dumont. (Contributed photo)

Much of the project is funded through a portion of York County government’s ARPA funding, opioid settlement funds, county funding and reimbursements, but gaps remain.

“It’s a great cause,” said Partner’s Bank President and CEO Anthony Cataldi. “This strikes the right chord with us.”

Kennebunk Savings President and CEO Lex Meagher said the partnership representing the public, private and nonprofit sectors working together is an appealing model.

“(This facility) will have a huge impact on York County,” Meagher said.

The recovery center plan emerged as York County Commissioners sought projects in which to invest ARPA funds – projects that would make a long-term impact on the lives of York County residents.

Representatives of Kennebunk Savings and Partners Bank toured the York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center currently under construction in Alfred. Each of the two banks donated $150,000 to First County Foundation, earmarked for the recovery center. (Contributed photo)

“This is going to be an incredible resource for the county and probably a model for the state and the region,” said First County Foundation Board Chair Billy Shore.

“We thank Kennebunk Savings and Partners Bank,” said York County Manager Greg Zinser. “Your commitment to these projects and your sense of community is phenomenal.”

Construction of the 52,000 square foot facility is expected to be completed sometime this fall.

York County Chief Advancement Officer Rachel Stansfield said Kennebunk Savings and Partners Bank see the value in the projects, and believes other partners will emerge to help fill the gaps.

“They are the leaders,” she said of the two banks. “I hope these generous contributions from Kennebunk Savings and Partners Bank will help ignite support from others.”

______________

Tammy Wells is a media specialist who works for York County Government

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Ortiz hopes to be a county commissioner

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

The former Biddeford city councilor said she is excited about the prospect of returning to public service

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Doris Ortiz had to give up her at-large seat on the Biddeford City Council last year when she and her partner decided to buy a home in the adjacent town of Arundel.

During an interview with the Gazette this week, Ortiz said she missed being able to help her neighbors as a local government representative.

Today, Ortiz is hoping that she can once again have a meaningful impact on her community and another chance to help her neighbors.

Ortiz, 58, has formally announced that she is seeking the District Two seat on the York County Commissioners board. That seat is currently held by Richard Dutremble of Biddeford, who is now serving as the commission’s chair.

Former Biddeford City Councilor Doris Ortiz says there are a lot of similarities between serving as a city councilor and as a county commissioner (Contributed photo)

In January, Dutremble announced that he would not seek reelection after 20 years of service on the commission.

RELATED: Dutremble will lead and then step down

District Two includes the communities of Arundel, Biddeford, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

Ortiz says there are a lot of similarities between serving as a city councilor and as a county commissioner. Both organizations address many of the same issues, from regional housing needs to infrastructure updates and improvements.

“I found serving on the city council to be very fulfilling,” Ortiz said. “It was a tremendous experience, and I learned a lot during my almost six years of being a city councilor.”

One of the things Ortiz learned was that county government has a big impact on the city of Biddeford.

“Whether you’re talking about the city’s share of the county’s budget or about shared resources, including emergency services and other things, what happens at the county level makes a big impact on the city of Biddeford and other communities.”

Because Biddeford is the largest municipality in York County, Ortiz says the city shoulders a lot of the burden for people who live just beyond the city’s borders.

“Biddeford is a service center community in York County,” Ortiz said. “As a result, the city gets a lot of traffic and growing demands for a variety of services.”

Those services include a regional hospital and state services, including the county’s combined district courthouse, the Department of Health and Human Services and a plethora of popular retail outlets.

The county, meanwhile, offers municipalities several services and facilities, including operations of the jail, a full-time sheriff’s department and support services for both emergency housing options and a regional food pantry.

Ortiz said she was intrigued by some of the things she has seen the county take on over the past few years.

“The new First Responders Training Center got me really excited,” Ortiz said. “It’s an excellent opportunity for collaboration between the city and the county, and will help municipalities as they struggle to find, hire and train emergency first responders.”

RELATED: York County government, college celebrate training partnership

But Ortiz says the biggest reason she’s running again is because it could be another opportunity to give back to her community.

“It’s really a central part of who I am and what drives me,” Ortiz said. “I know it may sound weird, but I actually enjoy digging into public policy and finding innovative ways to help people around me.”

Ortiz is employed by Bernstein Shur, a Portland-based law firm, where she has worked as a client service specialist for nearly 13 years.

Ortiz was first elected to the Biddeford City Council in 2019 and was then twice reelected for successive terms as one of the city’s two at-large representatives. 

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

You may view our editorial standards and policies here: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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BHS art students earn statewide recognition

~ Karen Garnett ~ Leave a comment

By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer

Two Biddeford High School students are being recognized for their award-winning artwork in the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at the Maine College of Art & Design in Portland next month.

Junior Brynn Wilkinson earned a Silver Key Award for her “Drawn by Light”, an 8-by-10 acrylic still-life painting, and Sophomore Shayleigh Kennedy earned an Honorable Mention for her “Chromatic Shades of Me”, an 18-by-24 portrait. 

The program honors the creativity of teens at both the regional and national levels through awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarship opportunities.

Biddeford High School Junior Brynn Wilkinson’s artwork, “Drawn by Light,” has been recognized with the Scholastic Art and Writing Silver Key Award for her acrylic still-life painting.

Open to students in grades 7–12, the competition invites submissions across 29 categories in art and writing. All entries are reviewed through a blind judging process by leading professionals in the visual and literary arts, ensuring that work is evaluated solely on its merit. Evaluators look for pieces that demonstrate originality, technical skill, and a developing personal voice or artistic vision.

“I’m incredibly proud of these students—not just for the quality of their work, but for the courage it takes to share their creativity beyond the classroom,” said Elizabeth Ames, Biddeford High School Art Teacher. “Year after year, students from the Biddeford art program earn recognition through this program, reflecting the depth of talent, dedication, and creative risk-taking across our classes.

Biddeford High School Sophomore Shayleigh Kennedy’s artwork, “Chromatic Shades of Me,” has been recognized with the Scholastic Art and Writing Honorable Mention Award for her portrait.

“Their pieces demonstrate strong technical skills and emerging artistic voices, and it’s been a joy to support them through the process. Attending the exhibit at Maine College of Art & Design later this month is a meaningful way to celebrate their achievements and show them that their work truly belongs in the broader artistic community.”

Both Wilkinson and Kennedy will be honored at an awards ceremony on March 14, 2026, and their award-winning artwork, along with other Maine student artwork, will be on display at the Maine College of Art & Design in Portland from 9:a.m. to 5 p.m. between February 20, 2026, and March 14, 2026. 

Biddeford High School encourages the arts through an extensive Fine Arts curriculum, which includes Foundations of Art, Drawing and Color, Painting, Advanced Studio Art, Ceramics, Music (Theory, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir), Band (Symphonic, Concert, Jazz, Percussion, Guitar), Theater (Dance, Choreography), and Video Production.

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Karen Garnett is Director of Communications for Biddeford, Saco and Dayton schools.

She can be reached at kgarnett@biddefordschools.me

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OPINION: City showed no compassion for the sisters who have supported Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Dear Editor:

The moratorium on the sale of St Joseph’s convent by the city council took me by surprise.

It is not just that the city council appears so unwelcoming to the university, but it is their callous disregard for the plight of the nuns who so crucially need the income for their continued maintenance. Council unanimously halts UNE development

Have the members of the city council forgotten that these nuns spent their lifetimes giving the children of the city an exceptional education, permitted many of them to go on to graduate and postgraduate educations and professional lives? How many on the city council had their parents, themselves, or their children taught by the nuns?

The University of New England has expressed interest in purchasing the former St. Joseph’s Convent on Pool Road in Biddeford to be used for additional student housing (File Photo)

Do the city council members not realize that the plight of the nuns results from the fact that they worked without salary and do not receive social security benefits as the rest of the community which they taught?

You would think that there would be an outpouring of gratitude for the immense benefit to the community provided by these sisters. Instead total ingratitude and disregard.

I cannot believe the citizens of Biddeford who I grew up with would support this callousness. It leads me to wonder how representative of the community the city council is.

A second issue:  Most communities welcome a university campus in their city.  The professional management, teaching, and research staff enhance the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the community, not to mention the educational benefits available locally.  Many people looking for a community to relocate will consider a local university as a major benefit.

I also find it surprising that someone would bring up the value of the land the school sits on.  You can be land rich and finances poor.   

I myself had to go out of state to medical school because Maine was one of the few states with no in-state medical school at that time.  I’m also convinced that my education at St Joseph’s Gramnar and High School were a major factor ability in my admission to that most competitive of professions.  I also know how to be grateful. 

This brings up another question. Who are these people whose complaints have such an outsized influence on the council?

Are they on the council themselves? What is their relationship to the council members?  Who is the council representing?  Certainly not the community, and certainly not its most deserving and vulnerable members, women in their 80s and 90s who taught generations of children without pay.

The ingratitude shown by the city council cannot possibly represent the sentiments of the community and the entire process should be investigated and reviewed.

Shirley Roy, Biddeford

Editor’s Note: The city’s six-month moratorium on development at UNE’s Biddeford campus, does NOTHING to prevent the university from moving forward with its planned purchase of the St. Joseph’s Convent. The moratorium also does not apply to St. Joseph’s Convent, which is located nearly two miles west of UNE’s Biddeford campus.

_________________________

The Biddeford Gazette encourages robust community conversations and welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns submitted by our readers. For more information about submitting a letter or column, please click this link. CONNECT WITH US

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Bennett brings campaign to Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

In the very crowded race to become Maine’s next governor, former State Sen. Rick Bennett is hoping to stand out as an Independent candidate who is ready to tackle tough issues with a common-sense approach and a commitment to people rather than any political party.

Bennett, 62, brought his campaign to Biddeford on Saturday, at the height of the city’s annual WinterFest celebration.

Rick Bennett — one of five Independent candidates hoping to become Maine’s next governor — visited Biddeford and said the state’s leaders need to stop bickering and worrying about political affiliation. “The system is broken,” he said. “We need to focus on solutions.” (Seaver photo)

So far – according to the Maine Secretary of State’s office – there are seven declared Democratic candidates hoping to win the June primary and 10 Republicans running for their party’s nomination.

Bennett is one of five independents who are hoping to gain support and build a coalition from both sides of the political aisle.

Bennett is the most well-known of the five Independent candidates and leads that field in fundraising, raising nearly $530,000 for his campaign so far. His closest challenger, State Rep. Ed Crockett of Portland, has raised just shy of $10,000 for his campaign.

A former president of the Maine Senate, Bennett has a long history of public service that dates back to the early 1980s. As a teenager, he volunteered on various political campaigns and participated in the YMCA’s Model Legislature program, in which young people attend a three-day conference to learn about how the Legislature works and how ideas become state laws.

Bennett was elected to the Maine House of Representatives, representing the town of Norway in 1990 and was unopposed for a second term.

He didn’t wait long to jump onto the national scene. In 1994, he became the Republican nominee for Congress in Maine’s second district, narrowly losing the general election to John Baldacci, 46-41 percent with two other candidates in the race.

In 1996, Bennett was elected to the Maine State Senate where he later became senate president.

Described as a successful business innovator, Bennett served as chair of Maine’s Republican Party from 2013 to 2017.

Today, he says, Maine needs political leaders who are not focused on political affiliation.

His campaign website paints a picture of a man with a long history of reaching across the political aisle to achieve legislative goals in environmental leadership, consumer protection and campaign finance reform.

Bennett co-sponsored several laws targeting toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” and reforming Maine’s solid waste and recycling practices. He was an outspoken opponent of the “CMP Corridor” project and sought to end foreign ownership of Maine’s electric utilities. He also sponsored legislation to end “predatory practices” by payday lenders.

The candidate enjoys Winterfest

We met with Bennett and his wife, Karen, at the home of Biddeford resident Jason Briggs, a well-known community volunteer and local Republican leader.

While touring the Makers Market, Bennett couldn’t resist picking up some treats from Tabarek Alabbooti from Amira Cuisine in Biddeford. (Seaver photo)

Briggs described Bennett as “the real deal,” pointing out that they have known each other for nearly 40 years.

When asked why he is not running as a Republican, Bennett didn’t hesitate with his response. “Our government is broken, and political parties are a big part of the problem,” he said.

Bennett said partisan politics are becoming increasingly divisive in Maine, a rural state that is well-known for its hard-working, down-to-earth populace.

“Both parties have become very strident, focusing more on partisan bickering than the needs of Maine people,” Bennett said.

____________________

“Our government is broken,

and political parties are

a big part of the problem.”

— Rick Bennett

_____________________

When asked what he believes are the top issues facing Maine residents, Bennett pointed to skyrocketing and “outrageous” energy costs, underperforming public schools and a statewide housing crisis.

“These are issues that need and deserve a collaborative approach,” Bennett said. “We’re a small state. We know each other and take care of our neighbors. We need to find a better way forward.”

Bennett – who shared the Maine Senate President’s office with Democrat Mike Michaud when the senate was briefly evenly split – said today too many legislators are afraid to pick up the phone and talk to their peers on the other side of the aisle.

“We cannot afford to see bipartisanship as a weakness,” Bennett said. “The people of Maine have real needs, and they deserve a better approach.”

Bennett received a warm response as he toured Biddeford’s downtown area during the WinterFest celebration.

He spoke briefly with both Mayor Liam LaFountain and City Councilor Jake Pierson, telling them “we’re all in this together” and that local leaders play an important role in Maine’s future.

Rick Bennett (right) shares a laugh with Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain during Saturday’s Winterfest celebration in downtown Biddeford. Both men agreed that city and state governments need to be “solutions-focused.” (Seaver photo)

Bennett said he was “blown away” by the revitalization of the city’s downtown area, including the business incubator concept being used in the city’s former textile mill buildings.

“What’s happening here is really exciting,” Bennett said while touring the Makers Market event in the former Pepperell Mill building.

But Bennett wasn’t the only gubernatorial candidate visiting Biddeford on Saturday. Democrat Dr. Nirav Shah was also touring the Pepperell Mill building on Saturday.

“I think we can both agree that this is a pretty awesome community event,” Bennett told Shah.

“You are absolutely correct about that,” Shah replied with a big smile.

If elected as governor, Bennett said one of his first moves will be to convene a weekly “Legislative Leadership” dinner meeting with legislative leaders from both parties.

“We need to break bread together, and work together to develop meaningful solutions,” Bennett said. “That’s what people want us to do. That’s the Maine tradition.”

_______________________

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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NEWSLETTER: Warm thoughts on a cold day

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

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.

Good times return to Biddeford for annual WinterFest celebration. File photo: Devin Wright

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!

The Biddeford City Council discusses a controversial downtown parking plan that has been discontinued.

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!

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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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OPINION: Is Graham Platner more than image?

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Dear Editor:

Friday morning, I engaged with a post on the Instagram account of U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner. My comment was not a personal attack, but a critique of messaging and political culture. Earlier that day, I had been watching a panel of reporters, cultural critics and activists discussing a racist meme Donald Trump posted and later deleted about the Obamas.

Like many people, I’ve had a hard time disengaging from the nonstop dystopian news cycle. One point from that discussion stuck with me: a racist president does not emerge in a vacuum, but from history and cultural norms. It made me think about how often we focus on political figures as personalities or celebrities rather than the communities they are meant to serve. It also pushed me back to question how some people are more readily granted credibility, relatability and benefit of the doubt than others.

U,S Senate candidate Graham Platner visited Biddeford in November (File Photo)

That same morning, I saw a Platner post celebrating his status as a Senate frontrunner. Even though I wasn’t sure any good would come of it, I decided to speak up. My comment was sharp but focused: I may ultimately support his policy positions, but I questioned ego-driven messaging and the tendency to rally around someone simply because they feel relatable, even when others have long championed the same ideas.

My motivation was not that I dislike Graham Platner, or even that I don’t personally relate to him. I grew up in rural Maine. I’ve worked since high school to put myself through college. I have friends from many demographics, viewpoints, and walks of life, including veterans who are no longer with us. I’m outspoken, and in some ways I can see pieces of myself in Graham, as much as a woman can. I was initially excited about his candidacy and even defended his rugged, relatable rhetoric to my skeptical mother.

Later, I learned about past comments he made about sexual assault in the military and about Black people tipping. I was told those remarks were from 2012 by people I respect, but it has still been a lot to grapple with. Wanting to be fair, I attended an event where he spoke at Biddeford Middle School. In person, he was engaging and more humble than his social media presence suggests. He spoke about hardworking Mainers and real community issues (he also mentioned liking Kurt Vonnegut — hey look, not something I’m gonna base my vote on, but respect). I found him personable, but I also noticed him shy away from more specific policy questions. That mirrors what I see in his campaign messaging: broad themes, with far less discussion of specific legislation.

He does come across as an everyman. It’s admirable that he served as a Marine. It’s also great that he was able to fly his wife out of the country for IVF, and I fully support access to that care. But that level of access isn’t feasible for many Mainers. Is he really the everyman of Maine?

I also find myself questioning why many people readily frame him as inherently virtuous. Is it the polished image? But if I suggest it may also relate to who he is and how he presents, I risk being accused of “identity politics,” yet image clearly plays a role in how candidates are received. More than that, the tone of his campaign also gives me pause. Much of his messaging focuses on projecting confidence, bravado, and victory, while specifics go unaddressed.

I question why we so often elevate candidates based on relatability and image rather than depth of policy discussion. For me, this raises broader questions about who we instinctively see as credible and why. Is this result of a two-party system? Of our own ability to embrace nuance? Modern culture? Something else? 

________________

I question why we so often elevate

candidates based on relatability and image

rather than depth of policy discussion.

_________________

When I made my comment, perhaps not unexpectedly, I received dismissive replies from his supporters. One person, who said he was a friend of Graham’s, said I seemed “insufferable” and focused on defending Mr. Platner’s character instead of addressing the substance of my comment. Another person mischaracterized my argument in a way that echoed familiar tropes often used to trivialize women’s political voices, and suggested I must think Graham is unintelligent because he is a man. After several rounds in which he ignored my actual points and resorted to personal attacks, I checked his profile and saw that he does not appear to be a U.S. voter.

I continued monitoring the comments partly out of concern, because expressing political opinions online can invite harassment. I then noticed that Waukeag Oyster Company, an oyster farm business founded by Graham Platner, “liked” comments suggesting my critique was simply about him being a man, while my original comment went unanswered. Public “likes” may seem small, but they signal which messages a campaign chooses to acknowledge or amplify. I do not know whether it was Graham himself, a business partner, or a social media manager engaging with those comments. Still, liking a response that framed my critique as gender-based, rather than engaging with the substance of what I said, felt dismissive and unnecessarily divisive. Especially considering that this person, according to their Instagram bio, is not even part of Mr. Platner’s voter base.

I messaged Waukeag Oyster Company to point this out and received no response.

Look, if Graham Platner gets elected, I can live with it. I may end up voting for him if he is truly the frontrunner, and I will more than likely include him in my ranked-choice ballot in the primaries. But what concerns me is when supporters place personality and relatability over policy. In an age of rising authoritarian tendencies, we should be asking where solidarity turns into conformity, and why we tolerate brashness in some demographics while condemning it in others. Not for the sake of purity, but for equity and for preserving our own critical thinking, rather than saying yes to whoever is speaking the loudest.

Sincerely,

Victoria Gordon, Biddeford

Note: Victoria Gordon serves on the Biddeford Gazette’s Advisory Board, The Gazette welcomes letters and guest columns from its readers. More information here: CONNECT WITH US

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It’s all about the smiles: UNE and Rep. Fecteau both focus on Maine kids

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

UNE dental students again provided free care to local students; Rep. Ryan Fecteau introduced a bill to expand dental coverage for Maine children.

Contributed stories

Students from the University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine and Department of Dental Hygiene welcomed 85 elementary students from Old Orchard Beach to the university’s Oral Health Center on Friday, Feb. 6, for UNE’s fifth annual “Give Kids a Smile” event.

According to organizers, the Old Orchard Beach students received a full slate of preventive dental services at no cost, including cleanings, fluoride treatments, protective sealants, and oral health education.

Students from the University of New England’s dental school provided cleaning and other dental services to 85 Old Orchard Beach elementary school students. This is the fifth year that UNE has participated in the annual cleaning Give Kids A Smile event. (Contributed photo)

The services were delivered by UNE dental medicine and dental hygiene students working together in clinical teams. Each child also received a take-home oral care kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and educational materials to support healthy habits beyond the visit.

The one-day event provided more than $14,000 in free dental care, helping remove barriers to access while introducing families to ongoing resources available through UNE’s Oral Health Center, located on UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences — the only fully integrated health sciences campus of its kind in New England.

“Untreated dental disease can lead to severe pain that impacts a child’s ability to eat and drink properly, disrupts their sleep patterns, affects their concentration, and contributes to changes in behavior,” said Nicole Kimmes, D.D.S., dean of the UNE College of Dental Medicine. “By hosting events like Give Kids a Smile, we improve access and education for the children of Maine and decrease the number impacted by these conditions right in our home communities.”

The now-annual event is part of a national Give Kids a Smile initiative coordinated by the American Dental Association, during which dentists and dental students across the country provide care to underserved children.

At UNE, the program has grown steadily since its launch in 2020 and continues to reflect the University’s commitment to improving community health while preparing future providers through hands-on, team-based learning.

“This experience, with dental hygiene and dental students working together to deliver care to children, enhances communication and delivers more comprehensive oral health education to the children coming to visit the OHC today,” said Dianne Smallidge, RDH, Ed.D., director of the undergraduate Department of Dental Hygiene at UNE.

Alexander Dyke, a UNE student who is scheduled to graduate later this year, is planning to pursue a pediatric residency. He said events like Give Kids a Smile benefit both families and students.

“The work we’re doing today is extremely important in providing underserved populations get the care they otherwise wouldn’t have,” Dyke said. “It also means that I get experience, and it means other students get experience. “We get to work with faculty and see their input on the type of ways they would go about doing that — it broadens my horizons and increases the tools in my toolbox.”

Fecteau introduces bill to expand access to dental care

Earlier this week, State Rep. Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) introduced a bill to improve dental access care for children.

Fecteau’s bill – LD 2123 — seeks to modify the MaineCare Reimbursement Methodology for the provision of anesthesia for certain dental services.

Fecteau – who is currently serving as Speaker of the House – says his bill will hopefully address a growing backlog of children awaiting care for dental issues.

The legislation proposes a targeted increase to MaineCare reimbursement rates for anesthesia services provided to children at ambulatory surgery centers treating at least 50 percent for MaineCare patients. As a result, Fecteau said these centers will be able to continue their operations, increase capacity, and reduce wait times.

“Access to care is critical. Too many Maine children are suffering with tooth pain because of the limited options for care,” Fecteau said. “This bill is a key step that will help ease just a little bit of that suffering and make it more feasible for other ambulatory surgery centers to expand services for MaineCare patients.”

According to Fecteau, many children receiving MaineCare lack a “dental home,” meaning they do not have a dentist they see regularly for cleanings and other preventative care. Without this routine maintenance, curable issues – things like cavities – turn into surgical events, with long waits for care.

“No child should have to suffer in pain because of their insurance status when treatment is available,” said Becca Matusovich, Executive Director of the Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine. “LD 2123 is one important element of a comprehensive strategy to address dental disease among Maine children who have been unable to access dental care.”

The Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled to consider Fecteau’s bill in the coming weeks.

Note: This story was updated with a correction: The UNE event in Portland took place on Friday, Feb. 6, not Thursday. We apologize for the error.

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Alan Bennett, Assistant Director of Communications at the University of New England, contributed to this story

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