One of the most used words during this year's Biddeford election cycle is the word "Transparency" It has a nice ring to it, and it sounds very noble when used by political candidates hoping to curry favor with disgruntled voters. I mean, really - - who is opposed to more transparency in local government? Abigail … Continue reading OPINION: Transparency? Not so much
Category: ARCHIVES
History meets present in Ward Four council race
The race for Biddeford’s Ward Four city council seat is rooted in some political upheaval that transpired roughly 18 months ago. Incumbent Dylan Doughty won a special June 11, 2024 election to fill the vacancy created by the sudden resignation of former councilor Bobby Mills. Today, Mills is hoping to reclaim his seat on the … Continue reading History meets present in Ward Four council race
McCurry, Woods vie for Ward Two council seat
Although Biddeford’s municipal elections are a non-partisan affair, the two candidates hoping to represent Ward Two on the Biddeford City Council each offer a stark difference in their campaigns. Former city councilor John McCurry is currently a member of the Biddeford School Committee. McCurry, 68, previously served as the Ward Two representative from 1997 to … Continue reading McCurry, Woods vie for Ward Two council seat
Boston, LaBelle both hoping for Ward One seat
Two candidates have stepped forward in hopes of representing Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods (Ward One) on the city council. Patricia Boston Jim LaBelle Pat Boston of Hills Beach is hoping to make a return to the city council after a 14-year hiatus. Political newcomer Jim LaBelle recently retired after serving seven years as the executive director … Continue reading Boston, LaBelle both hoping for Ward One seat
Behind the Maine ballot: Voter ID & Gun Control
By Emily Bader of The Maine Monitor Mainers will see two big questions on the ballot this year: one about election procedures, and one about a potential red flag law. Maine citizens can put proposed legislation directly before voters through a process called a citizen initiative. For a citizen initiative petition to be approved by … Continue reading Behind the Maine ballot: Voter ID & Gun Control
Kurtz unopposed for Ward 5 council seat
By JIM KRAUSE, Contributing Writer David Kurtz, 38, is running unopposed for the Ward 5 seat on the Biddeford City Council. Kurtz -- an attorney specializing in corporate law and debt restructuring -- grew up in the city and serves on the city's Waste Management Committee. He said his legal background gives him tools to … Continue reading Kurtz unopposed for Ward 5 council seat
Biddeford ‘Hall of Fame” award winners announced
Contributed Report The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) is pleased to announce the Eighth Annual Biddeford Hall of Fame Award Winners for 2025, bringing attention to those who have made significant contributions to the city and/or to the world at large. A ceremony will be held at noon on Saturday, October 4, in the … Continue reading Biddeford ‘Hall of Fame” award winners announced
New cookie business opens in Biddeford
In a modest, second-floor apartment on Alfred Street, Zimra Winters is making his dream come true. Winters, 29, has a daytime job working as a baker at Rover Bagel in Biddeford. But his real passion is cookies – cookies so delicious that after your first bite, you may think you have died and gone to … Continue reading New cookie business opens in Biddeford
City awards employees and volunteers
According to a press release from the City of Biddeford, the city recently announced its annual Employee and Volunteer of the Year awards. City Manager Truc Dever and Mayor Martin Grohman presented the awards at the annual Employee and Volunteer Banquet. Volunteer of the Year: Kim CochraneThis award is presented by the mayor to a … Continue reading City awards employees and volunteers
Three vie for two at-large seats in Biddeford
Two well-known political heavyweights and one newcomer to the city’s political arena are each vying for one of the two at-large seats on the Biddeford City Council. Marc Lessard Nasreen A. Sheikh-Yousef Lisa Vadnais Incumbent Marc Lessard, 62, has served on the council for the better part of the last 30 years. School Committee Chair … Continue reading Three vie for two at-large seats in Biddeford
Biddeford Politics: Another chapter begins tomorrow
Tomorrow, October 1, the Biddeford Gazette will officially begin its coverage of the 2025 municipal elections in Biddeford. It’s hard to explain why I am so excited about this time of year. I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning. After working at other newspapers, I began covering news in Biddeford during the month … Continue reading Biddeford Politics: Another chapter begins tomorrow
Pedestrian hit by truck on Turnpike while fleeing police
According to a press release from the Maine State Police Department, an Ellsworth man was struck and seriously injured by a large truck Sunday evening on the Maine Turnpike, near the Biddeford exit. Police say that Jared Felling, 39, was attempting to evade Biddeford police by crossing the Turnpike on foot when he was struck … Continue reading Pedestrian hit by truck on Turnpike while fleeing police
Fire Department connects with community
By JIM KRAUSE, Contributing Writer The clang of helmets, flashing lights of fire engines and the hum of excited families filled Biddeford’s Central Fire Station on Saturday as the city’s firefighters welcomed the public for their first open house in seven years. The department, founded in 1855, rolled out trucks, gear and demonstrations to give … Continue reading Fire Department connects with community
NEWSLETTER: Surgery & Local Politics
Greetings! I know this newsletter is long overdue, but I feel as if I have a decent excuse. As most of you know, I broke my right arm in two places while on vacation a few weeks ago. Since then, I have had surgery and am making good progress toward full recovery. The accident, however, … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Surgery & Local Politics
Residents collect enough signatures to invoke a special meeting
Members of a grassroots coalition that are pushing for a public airing of grievance meeting announced Thursday that they have collected far more than the 100-signatures of registered Biddeford voters they need in order invoke a “General Meeting of Citizens.” “It really wasn’t hard to get the signatures,” said Carole Alexander, the wife of Biddeford’s … Continue reading Residents collect enough signatures to invoke a special meeting
Bigfoot comes to Biddeford
Bridgestone/Firestone Auto Care opens its first Maine location Several Biddeford city officials joined with dozens of Bridgestone employees for Thursday’s grand opening event at Maine’s first Firestone Complete Auto Care location in Biddeford. The auto care store first opened its doors on Alfred Road to the public on August 11, according to store manager Amanda … Continue reading Bigfoot comes to Biddeford
Candidates, residents meet during roundtable event
Several city council hopefuls and one of the three candidates for mayor in Biddeford attended an event Tuesday that was billed as a “Community Roundtable” discussion between candidates and members of the public. The forum was held in an ante room at Pizza By Alex and was attended by 18 members of the public. Delilah … Continue reading Candidates, residents meet during roundtable event
OPINION: Are you ready to rumble?
Today is the first full day of autumn. Many people get excited about this time of year. They order pumpkin everything, pick apples, decorate their yards with mums and fret about having the cleverest Halloween costume for themselves and their kids. I get excited this time of year for an entirely different reason. I am … Continue reading OPINION: Are you ready to rumble?
Ongoing thefts hurt veterans’ club, others
Up until only a few years ago, the American Legion Post 26 in Biddeford was in danger of closing. The former schoolhouse building on Route One – almost directly across from the new courthouse complex -- was in serious disrepair with a leaky roof. Other non-profit organizations, such as the American Red Cross, could no … Continue reading Ongoing thefts hurt veterans’ club, others
Ordinance change catches resident off guard
You have probably seen the signs as you drive through the city of Biddeford, and unless you’re driving a big truck – you may not understand the impacts of a traffic ordinance that was revised by the city council four months ago. With very little fanfare, the Biddeford City Council voted 7-1 (Lessard) on May … Continue reading Ordinance change catches resident off guard
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 