The latest news about the city of Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor David Kurtz takes in a deep breath – pauses – and looks away, toward the coffee shop’s window before answering one of our questions during an informal and candid interview. Kurtz, 39, is one of the three new Biddeford city councilors who were each first elected to office in November. Despite … Continue reading INTERVIEW | David Kurtz, city councilor, lawyer and hiker
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Guy Gagnon has been excited about this particular project for several years. The project is Adams Point, a 39-unit affordable family housing project on the upper end of Adams Street in Biddeford. Following more than three years of planning and construction, Adams Point is expected to finally open in April. The … Continue reading Adams Point housing | ‘An exciting project’
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Political newcomer John Salamone, a Republican who recently moved to Hollis from Portland, announced on social media Monday that he is withdrawing from the Dist. 32 State Senate race. In a brief post on his personal Facebook page, Salamone wrote: "After a great deal of reflection and prayer, I’ve decided to … Continue reading Salamone drops out of state senate race
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Given recent complaints about the city of Biddeford's sidewalk snow removal policies, Jeff Demers, the city's public works director, recently sent the Gazette a detailed explanation regarding his department's priorities when it comes to clearing snow from city sidewalk policies. Jeff Demers, Biddeford Public Works Department director (Seaver photo) Demers said … Continue reading Biddeford sidewalks and snow
Heather Paquette, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine. Photo by Cy Cyr By CY CYR, Contributing Writer, Brick + Tides Outside the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn, the morning felt unmistakably like Maine. The sun was bright, the air was cold, the wind was sharp, and snow clung to the edges of … Continue reading Heather Paquette: President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine
When journalists compete, readers win | Good news for people in Biddeford Whether you’re buying a new car or just picking up the week’s groceries, you are always better off when you have choices and competition in the marketplace. It’s no different when it comes to the highly competitive world of journalism. Having choices about … Continue reading OPINION: Life During Wartime, when reporters compete
By TORRIE HERRINGTON, NOTUS for The Maine Monitor Republicans are trying their best to tie Democrats to fraud this election cycle. President Donald Trump has spent months hammering Minnesota for its handling of a welfare scheme. The Republican National Committee has referred to Maine’s governor, who is now running for Senate, as “Fraudulent Janet Mills.” And the … Continue reading Republicans are using fraud scandals against Democrats in key races
From staff reports Representatives from the University of New England say they are now in “early conversations” with Biddeford city officials about the possibility of extending a natural gas line from the city’s downtown area, along the Rte. 9 corridor, to the school’s Biddeford campus. A UNE spokesperson said the potential infrastructure project could bring … Continue reading UNE considers gas line extension project
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The first meeting of Biddeford’s revived Institutional Zone Review (IZR) Committee was held Thursday evening, giving members a chance to introduce themselves and to complete several organizational and administrative tasks, including scheduling their first public hearing. The committee was launched earlier this year, at the direction of Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain … Continue reading New UNE oversight committee begins work
By TAMMY WELLS, York County government media York County Commissioners understand the need to support the unhoused through shelter subsidies and are urging legislators to seek ways to support them within the state’s coffers, not the counties’ far slimmer purse. In testimony to the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee at a public hearing Feb. … Continue reading Counties urge lawmakers to use state funding — not county funds — to subsidize shelters
City Councilor Marc Lessard falls on his own sword by saying he is partly responsible for some of the city's ongoing financial problems By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Tuesday’s meeting of the Biddeford City Council’s Finance Committee made one fact abundantly clear. The city is still struggling to clean up the damage done over the last … Continue reading ‘You can spread the blame like peanut butter’
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Despite some misinformation floating about on social media, the Biddeford City Council did not vote Tuesday against funding for emergency shelters to assist unhoused residents. Instead, the council took up a resolution introduced by Mayor Liam LaFountain to express support for a bill now being considered by the Maine Legislature. The … Continue reading Council splits on supporting state bill for emergency shelters
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor During Tuesday’s city council meeting, several residents used the words “community engagement,” during a public hearing about how the city should prioritize funding of its neglected recreational assets. Several of those who testified before the council pointed to the principles and importance of community engagement, arguing that the council should prioritize … Continue reading Biddeford’s skatepark: ‘It’s a matter of trust’
A longtime fixture at City Hall, Roch Angers tells the Gazette he wants to follow in Richard Dutremble's footsteps at the county level By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Roch Angers – a longtime former Biddeford city councilor and a current planning board member – told the Gazette Sunday that he is seriously considering a run for … Continue reading Angers considers run for county commission
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor A small group -- including some other legislators -- gathered Sunday at Pizza By Alex in Biddeford to help State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Arundel) launch his campaign for a third consecutive term in the Maine State Senate. RELATED: State Senate race heats up in Biddeford State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (right) shares … Continue reading Ingwersen kicks off campaign in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor This year’s District 32 State Senate race could become a crowded affair. So far, three candidates have announced their intentions to seek the senate seat that represents Biddeford, Arundel, Dayton, Lyman and Hollis in the Maine Legislature. The Gazette learned this week that there is a possibility more candidates may be … Continue reading State senate race heats up in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Ryan Paige of Biddeford sits behind a desk in his Main Street office and carefully considers his words while talking about the upcoming “Black Balloon Day” event that will be held on Saturday, March 7. Black Balloon Day is an annual event to remember people who have been lost to drug … Continue reading Black Balloon event coming to Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford City Councilor Marc Lessard confirmed Friday that he is considering a challenge against incumbent State Rep. Marc Malon to represent District 133 in the Maine House of Representatives. District 133 includes the central and western area of the city. The upcoming election will be held in November. If he does … Continue reading Councilor Lessard considering run for state house
Revising a concept that received mixed results from the public two years ago, Biddeford city councilors who specifically represent one of the city's seven voting wards plan to host small, personal ward meetings to get resident feedback regarding various city issues. See below for details regarding dates and locations about the upcoming meetings. According to … Continue reading City councilors plan ward meetings for residents
A few Biddeford firefighters recently found themselves fighting a small fire on the second floor of the city's Central Station on Alfred Street.
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 