According to organizers, the relief effort to help families that were displaced by last week's fire on Brackett Street has received wide and 'overwhelming support" from the community. Jessica Johnson, a downtown business owner and former city council candidate, has been coordinating the effort to help provide essential items and clothing for people who "lost … Continue reading Relief effort continues for fire victims
Author: Randy Seaver
Randy Seaver is a veteran journalist who has been covering news and politics in the city of Biddeford, Maine for nearly three decades. He may be contacted at news@biddeford-gazette.com
How Maine towns are regulating development in flood zones
By EMMETT GARTNER, The Maine Monitor Early last spring, while still cleaning up the wreckage of devastating winter storms, southern Maine towns began drafting new rules governing how they’d rebuild or develop on stretches of land that were widely inundated months before. The process coincided with the adoption of new federal flood maps and is … Continue reading How Maine towns are regulating development in flood zones
Biddo | an insult, or a term of endearment?
"And these children that you spit onAs they try to change their worldsAre immune to your consultationsThey're quite aware of what they're going through" -- David Bowie, Changes According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Biddeford is Maine’s youngest city, with a median age of roughly 36 years. Take a moment and think about that. Thirty-six … Continue reading Biddo | an insult, or a term of endearment?
NEWSLETTER: Big news, big changes
Looking back over the last few days, I have to tell you, I am really looking forward to spending some relaxation time with Laura during our annual vacation on Moosehead Lake. Spending time at Moosehead is always good for the head, heart and soul. Henry David Thoreau thought the same thing. Mount Kineo sits in … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Big news, big changes
Relief effort underway for Biddeford fire victims
Jessica Johnson -- a well-known community volunteer, business owner and former city council candidate -- is coordinating a community relief effort to help the families that were displaced by a significant fire Thursday near the corner of Brackett and Myrtle streets. “I know this community, and I love that so many people are rallying to … Continue reading Relief effort underway for Biddeford fire victims
Ex-city manager wants city to pay expenses for Shriner clown events
Former Biddeford City Manager Jim Bennett is asking the city of Biddeford to financially reimburse him for expenses he incurred while performing as a Shriner’s clown in June and July this year. According to documents obtained by the Biddeford Gazette, Bennett is asking the city for a total of $798.92 in expense reimbursements, including an … Continue reading Ex-city manager wants city to pay expenses for Shriner clown events
Biddeford shooter arrested
According to a press release issued Friday, Biddeford Police arrested Emil Girard, a 26-year-old transient, on multiple charges on Thursday, August 7, stemming from two shooting incidents. Girard was arrested on Elm Street in Biddeford, and is now facing multiple charges, including parole violations in Maine and New Hampshire. Girard is also being charged with … Continue reading Biddeford shooter arrested
City gives non-union employees a modest pay increase
The Biddeford City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to give the city’s non-union employees a one-half percent pay increase. Earlier this year, the council completed negotiations with union employees. Those negotiations resulted in a four percent cost-of-living raise. Meanwhile, during this year’s budget process, non-union employees were allocated a 3.5 percent increase. All city employees -- … Continue reading City gives non-union employees a modest pay increase
Rollin’ with the punches: 3 Ds Variety
This week's installment of Taking Care of Business features the three DiPietrantonio brothers and their popular Main Street convenience store in Biddeford ______________ While Three D’s Variety on Main Street in Biddeford relies heavily on foot traffic, owner Peter DiPietrantonio says his neighborhood convenience store is also being impacted by an ongoing sewer upgrade project … Continue reading Rollin’ with the punches: 3 Ds Variety
City gives final approval for UNE’s pier proposal
The Biddeford Planning Board voted 3-2 Wednesday to give final approval for the University of New England’s controversial proposal to build a research pier on the Saco River in front of their Biddeford campus. The board’s decision caps off almost two years of a somewhat complex regulatory review process that included both state and federal … Continue reading City gives final approval for UNE’s pier proposal
Lisa Vadnais, political powerhouse, seeks council seat
One of Biddeford's best-known and respected political leaders has decided that she is going to seek one of the two at-large seats on the Biddeford City Council. Lisa Vadnais, 64, has served on the Biddeford School Committee for 16 years, including four years as that board's chair. Over the last few years, Vadnais has demonstrated … Continue reading Lisa Vadnais, political powerhouse, seeks council seat
Planning board member blasts mayor, city council over UNE proposal: ‘something feels fishy’
In a surprise move, Roch Angers -- a former Biddeford city councilor and current member of the city’s planning board – told members of the city council Tuesday that he has serious concerns about the University of New England’s plans to construct a large pier on the Saco River. “Something about this whole mess doesn’t … Continue reading Planning board member blasts mayor, city council over UNE proposal: ‘something feels fishy’
BHS Champions recognized by city leaders
The Biddeford City Council Chamber came alive with excitement Tuesday as members of the state champion high school baseball team filed into the room amidst a buzz of respect and admiration. Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman said, "today is a proud day for Biddeford," as the players and coaches stood against the wall, holding the giant … Continue reading BHS Champions recognized by city leaders
OPINION: New idea for an old sign: move it
By JAMES KRAUSE, Gazette contributor In reference to the old gas station sign located at the Five Points intersection: Firstly, let me say that I love the idea as well as the submitted artwork. I can honestly say that as silly as it is, yes that sign is a landmark to the city as much … Continue reading OPINION: New idea for an old sign: move it
Should Mainers be concerned by shark sightings?
By JULIA TILTON, Maine Monitor John Chisholm has been interested in sharks as long as he can remember. Growing up in Plymouth, Mass. in the 1970s, he spent a lot of time searching for great whites on his dad’s commercial fishing boat. An adjunct scientist at the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean … Continue reading Should Mainers be concerned by shark sightings?
OPINION: Biddeford is craving leadership
Three weeks ago, I wrote an opinion piece about Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and what I described as a “missed opportunity for leadership” on his part. Understandably, the mayor was less than pleased by what I wrote about him in that editorial. How do I know the mayor was upset? After all, he didn’t contact … Continue reading OPINION: Biddeford is craving leadership
LaFountain joins mayoral race in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The race to become Biddeford’s next mayor has now turned into a three-way contest. City Council President Liam LaFountain told the Biddeford Gazette this week that he will give up his Ward Seven council seat to join the race for mayor. LaFountain now joins fellow city councilor Norman Belanger in opposing … Continue reading LaFountain joins mayoral race in Biddeford
Mooring owners to mayor: ‘We’re not budging’
A stalemate is brewing on the Saco River. Several private mooring owners in Biddeford say they are being ignored by city leaders and will not move their moorings on the Saco River to accommodate the University of New England’s proposal to build a new pier for its research vessel. The university’s proposal was given preliminary … Continue reading Mooring owners to mayor: ‘We’re not budging’
Residents share concerns about local news
Roughly a dozen people gathered Tuesday at the McArthur Library in Biddeford to discuss local journalism and a rapidly changing media landscape. The event was part of a statewide listening tour coordinated by The Maine Monitor, an online publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, and intended to collect public feedback about how … Continue reading Residents share concerns about local news
Old faces, new faces vying for office in Biddeford
Several potential candidates have taken out qualifying nomination forms for mayor, city council and school committee races in Biddeford. Some familiar names are hoping to make a political comeback, but there are also several people seeking office who have never served before. Former City Councilors Roger Hurtubise, John McCurry and Bobby Mills are all hoping … Continue reading Old faces, new faces vying for office in Biddeford
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 