On Tuesday, I sat in my usual seat in the Biddeford City Council Chamber -- back row and closest to the door. With my back against the wall, I can see and monitor almost everything happening in the room. That perch also provides a quick exit in the event that the shit hits the fan. … Continue reading OPINION | A change will do us good?
Category: ARCHIVES
Mayor-elect shares his hopes and goals for the city’s future
A little more than two weeks ago, Biddeford voters sent a clear message that they wanted change and more accountability from City Hall. In fact, nearly two thirds of the people who cast ballots in the Nov. 4 municipal election chose candidates other than incumbent Mayor Marty Grohman for the city’s top job. Biddeford City … Continue reading Mayor-elect shares his hopes and goals for the city’s future
OPINION: City Hall hours should serve the public, not employee preferences.
By TED COHEN, Special to the Gazette If the new Biddeford mayor really wants to serve the public, he needs to revamp City Hall’s hours, which are an insult to every city taxpayer. “In an effort to minimize public confusion, the council will consider streamlining business hours at City Hall,” the Biddeford Gazette reported. Minimize … Continue reading OPINION: City Hall hours should serve the public, not employee preferences.
UNE students bring some holiday cheer downtown
A group of roughly 30 students from the University of New England gathered downtown Sunday to help string holiday lights along Main Street. This is not the first year that students have stepped forward to help with the annual holiday decorations. It is now part of an annual tradition that began in 2017, according to … Continue reading UNE students bring some holiday cheer downtown
Chamber hires new director
The Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce announced Saturday that Alex MacPhail has been named as the agency's executive director. MacPhail, the husband of Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail, is well known in the Biddeford–Saco region. According to a press release, MacPhail brings "strong connections with local businesses, community partners, and municipal offices. His familiarity with the Chamber’s … Continue reading Chamber hires new director
NEWSLETTER: Not Your Father’s Biddeford
New mayor; changing business hours at City Hall and approaching holidays The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping, but it feels good to approach the holiday season with some enthusiasm and contentment. This week, we are asking our readers to tell us what they believe were the Top-Ten news stories in Biddeford … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Not Your Father’s Biddeford
Zoning Board sides with UNE
The University of New England cleared another hurdle Thursday when the Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) voted unanimously to reject an appeal of the university’s proposed research pier. Although the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly approved the controversial pier in August, a group of private citizens – led by the former chair of the Biddeford … Continue reading Zoning Board sides with UNE
Veterans Day 2025
Scores of people braved chilly temperatures and biting winds to celebrate the annual Biddeford-Saco Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday. This year's ceremony featured the unveiling of the Gen. Wallace H. Nutting Memorial Bridge. RELATED: Cities will dedicate bridge on Veterans Day Gen. Wallace Nutting's children attended the dedication ceremony of a bridge named in their … Continue reading Veterans Day 2025
Back to the drawing board for UNE?
City attorney finds new info, says UNE pier should go back to planning board By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford City Attorney Harry Center says that the Biddeford Planning Board should reconsider its prior approval of the University of New England’s controversial research pier. Although the planning board narrowly approved the university’s proposal in August, Center … Continue reading Back to the drawing board for UNE?
McArthur Library names new director
The McArthur Library’s board of directors today announced that Nicole Clark has been hired as library director. Clark, who first joined McArthur Library as Adult Services Supervisor in December 2024, has been serving as Interim Director since earlier this year. Nicole Clark (Seaver Photo) “It is with great excitement that we announce the hiring of … Continue reading McArthur Library names new director
Champions offers friendly, relaxed atmosphere
If you’re looking for a friendly, relaxed place to watch the Patriots game; or if you just want to gather with some of your friends and enjoy a wide array of pub-style food, search no more because Champion’s Sports Bar in Biddeford is the place to be. Champions was first opened in Saco in 1993. … Continue reading Champions offers friendly, relaxed atmosphere
Cities will rename bridge Tuesday
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor On Tuesday – during this year’s annual Veterans’ Day ceremonies -- the cities of Biddeford and Saco will pause for a brief ceremony to dedicate and rename the York Hill Bridge in honor of General Wallace Nutting. The York Hill bridge connects Biddeford and Saco and sits at the bottom of … Continue reading Cities will rename bridge Tuesday
NEWSLETTER: Glad it’s over; I need a nap
Wow! What a wild ride it’s been. Although I am a junkie when it comes to local politics, I must confess I am quite relieved that Biddeford’s municipal elections are now over. This year’s election had a certain energy. There was a sense of enthusiasm among those waiting in line to cast their votes. Mayor-elect … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Glad it’s over; I need a nap
City will seek Attorney General’s advice about UNE pier
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Thursday to seek guidance from the Maine Attorney General’s office about a new wrinkle that was recently discovered in the University of New England’s proposal to build a large, research pier on the Saco River. In order to build their pier, the university needed approvals … Continue reading City will seek Attorney General’s advice about UNE pier
How much was raised, spent by mayoral candidates
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford Gazette has obtained copies of the preliminary campaign finance reports that were filed by each of the mayoral candidates in October. The final reports, according to state law, mut be filed no later than Dec. 9, 2025. The preliminary reports, however, cover the time period from July 1, 2025 … Continue reading How much was raised, spent by mayoral candidates
Mayor will issue ‘formal apology’
Just hours after losing the mayor's seat, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman said he will issue a formal apology to Mayor-Elect Liam LaFountain during Thursday's city council meeting. LaFountain narrowly won the three-way race with 42 percent of the vote (2,623). Grohman received 2,413 votes (38.3 percent). After the polls closed Tuesday, I offered Gazette readers … Continue reading Mayor will issue ‘formal apology’
Biddeford chooses new mayor
Biddeford voters chose City Council President Liam LaFountain to be Biddeford's next mayor. LaFountain edged incumbent Marty Grohman 2,623 - 2,413. City Councilor Norman Belanger placed third with 1, 272 votes. For the first time, the Biddeford City Council will include three women. Patricia Boston won her campaign in Ward One; political newcomer Abigail Woods … Continue reading Biddeford chooses new mayor
Election Day Updates:
Biddeford City Clerk Robin Patterson said Thursday that the number of absentee ballots she received had already exceeded the number of absentee ballots that were cast two years ago, in the 2023 election. As of Thursday (Oct. 30), more than 2,300 absentee ballots were casts, compared to a total of roughly 2,100 ballots in 2023. … Continue reading Election Day Updates:
OPINION: Mayor Marty reveals his true character, and it’s not pretty
I have to break a promise. A few weeks ago, Dennis “Duke” Dutremble invited me to join him for lunch. I seized that opportunity. If you’re into local politics, you already know that the Dutremble name is legendary and highly respected in the community. Duke’s father, Lucien ‘Babe’ Dutremble, served three terms as Biddeford’s mayor … Continue reading OPINION: Mayor Marty reveals his true character, and it’s not pretty
Belanger explains why he wants to be mayor
By NORMAN BELANGER, Special to the Gaztte I want to thank the Biddeford Gazette for giving each candidate an opportunity to address the voters and explain why they are running for mayor. Giving voters information so they can make an educated decision is crucial to our democracy. Voters need to know what motivated me to … Continue reading Belanger explains why he wants to be mayor
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 