LETTER | What kind of city do we want?

Editor:

As Biddeford’s budget conversations take shape, I’ve noticed a framing of the conversation that doesn’t quite serve our community: the idea that we must choose between keeping taxes low or supporting the services and programs that make our city work.

That’s a false choice, and an oversimplification.

**DELILAH POUPORE** testifies earlier this month during a public hearing regarding Biddeford’s municipal budget. (Seaver)

Of course, taxes matter. Rising costs are real, and they are affecting everyone. And of course, our city council has difficult decisions ahead, balancing where to reduce, where to invest and how to ask a bit from each of us.

But in moments like this, there can be a tendency — both locally and nationally — for the conversation to narrow. For voices that advocate for community investment to quiet. As if the only responsible position is to cut, cut, cut.

I don’t believe that reflects the full range of what people in Biddeford value.

The Biddeford we know today was built through steady, shared investment: restoring our clock tower, filling once-empty storefronts, creating opportunities for students, artists, and small businesses, and building a downtown that welcomes people from all walks of life.

None of that came from choosing one value over another. It came from holding multiple truths at once.

Our city councilors need to understand the full picture of what our community values now. If the only message they hear is “cut,” then that is what they will do (and they are considering 25 percent cuts for community organizations). Not because that’s all they believe, but because it’s what’s being voiced more often right now, while others may be hesitant to speak up.

Does the City Council know what you value? Have you spoken up at a council meeting or emailed them using this Contact All Councilors form?

Speaking up doesn’t guarantee a specific outcome. There will be trade-offs. But without a broader set of voices, we risk losing more than we realize.

So, I’ll ask the question: What kind of city do we want to be?

And I encourage you to make your answer known, clearly and while decisions are still being made.

Delilah Poupore | Biddeford

Note: Ms. Poupore is the executive director for the Heart of Biddeford

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