Something happened at last night’s Biddeford City Council meeting that should be a template for all of us. In a time of seemingly unprecedented political tension on the national stage, two city councilors showed us all a valuable lesson about respect, collaboration and friendship – despite being almost polar opposites when it comes to political … Continue reading OPINION: Councilors offer us a lesson about respect
Category: ARCHIVES
UNE pier opponents ramp up their efforts
Even as the University of New England begins construction of its controversial research pier, opponents of the project are ramping up their own efforts and raising new concerns about how the City of Biddeford handled its review of the project. A group of Biddeford residents are now circulating a petition to require the mayor and … Continue reading UNE pier opponents ramp up their efforts
Biddeford scores another big land easement for public recreation
According to a press release issued Thursday, the Maine Water Company and Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) announced a partnership that will permanently conserve more than 250 acres of forest and open space in a key watershed area of the Saco River in western Biddeford. The signed agreement between Maine Water and MCHT has full … Continue reading Biddeford scores another big land easement for public recreation
Meet the new boss; Truc Dever takes the helm at City Hall
By JIM KRAUSE, Contributing Writer Truc Dever – Biddeford’s new city manager – took over the helm at City Hall just a few weeks ago. She sat down with us for a one-on-one interview and happily answered a wide range of questions about her background, hobbies and management style. Before taking on her new job … Continue reading Meet the new boss; Truc Dever takes the helm at City Hall
Mayor refuses to give up on plan to oust Angers
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman seems ready to take another bite at the apple when it comes to ousting Roch Angers from the planning board, despite broad public opposition. On Tuesday, Grohman presented the council with his recommendation to remove Angers from the Biddeford Planning Board. Only councilor William Emhiser was willing to take up the … Continue reading Mayor refuses to give up on plan to oust Angers
Angers will not go quietly into the night
The Biddeford City Council is expected to vote Tuesday about Mayor Marty Grohman’s request to remove a member of the city’s planning board. And now, another member of the planning board is rising to the defense of his colleague, saying a removal is not necessary and that a written reprimand would be more appropriate. Grohman … Continue reading Angers will not go quietly into the night
City alleges misconduct by former manager
Did Jim Bennett manipulate the tax obligations on his own home? According to court documents obtained by the Biddeford Gazette, former Biddeford city manager James Bennett allegedly used his position to lower the tax assessment for his personal property. Earlier this year, after being removed from his office in February, Bennett filed a civil lawsuit … Continue reading City alleges misconduct by former manager
A new bridge between Biddeford and Saco?
It is a community project that has been in the “conceptual phase” for nearly two decades, but now the conversation about a new 'multimodal' bridge connecting the cities of Biddeford and Saco is once again bubbling to the surface. On Tuesday, the Biddeford City Council will hear a proposal about the multimodal bridge that would … Continue reading A new bridge between Biddeford and Saco?
Turning addiction into something positive
Ryan Paige grew up in Biddeford, and he has now taken the worst part of his life and turned it into a resource that has helped hundreds of people achieve sobriety all across Maine. Paige, 43, has been sober and drug-free since 2019. Flash forward six years, and he is now running a statewide non-profit … Continue reading Turning addiction into something positive
Biddeford charity will finally get compensated by a national company
After almost two years of frustration, mixed signals and delays, it appears that a local charity will finally receive the roughly $35,000 that they raised to help develop a playground in Biddeford’s downtown area. Roxi Suger, a well-known business owner in Biddeford, is also known as the driving force behind the annual Biddeford Ball, a … Continue reading Biddeford charity will finally get compensated by a national company
Get on the bus! Check out ‘Childish Things’
Why run from your problems, when you can drive? Although they are not yet as famous as the Coen brothers, Cash and Nick Cassidy are already making quite a splash in the world of independent (indie) filmmaking. Their latest film – Childish Things – will kick off this year’s Vacationland Film Festival at City Theater … Continue reading Get on the bus! Check out ‘Childish Things’
Dupuis Hardware: A local staple trying to survive
One of Biddeford’s most beloved local businesses is also located in the epicenter of the so-called ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’, the six-month-long sewer upgrade project that has significantly interrupted traffic flow on Elm Street. Dupuis Hardware is an old-fashioned hardware store, where knowledgeable employees can help you figure out what parts you need to repair … Continue reading Dupuis Hardware: A local staple trying to survive
OPINION: Texting while driving | The epidemic we’re ignoring
By GAIL TOUSSAINT, Gazette contributor I see it every day. Someone behind the wheel looking at their cellphone and not the road. Do you want to know how I spot them? They are unable to stay in their lane, veering into mine. This makes my blood pressure soar…they callously have a complete disregard for my … Continue reading OPINION: Texting while driving | The epidemic we’re ignoring
OPINION | Should age matter in Biddeford elections?
Age has – apparently -- become a factor in Biddeford’s upcoming municipal election. Today, the Biddeford Gazette published an update to its ongoing updates of potential candidates, pointing out that two more former councilors are hoping for a political comeback: Patricia Boston in Ward One and at-large candidate Clem Fleurent. Former city councilor Clement Fleurent … Continue reading OPINION | Should age matter in Biddeford elections?
Relief effort continues for fire victims
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
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 GAZETTE 