Category: NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER: ‘Tis the season!

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Technically speaking, it’s still autumn but it sure feels like winter here in southern Maine.

We’re now deep into the holiday season, and you probably have a growing laundry list of chores and preparations for the season.

But there is also lots of fun and joy to be had in Biddeford. Check our EVENTS page for the latest updates, including Santa’s planned visit on Sunday, Dec. 14 at Biddeford’s Central Fire Station on Alfred Street.

Santa is expected to visit the Biddeford Fire Department on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.

We experienced the first significant snowstorm of the season and the Biddeford Public Works Department once again stepped up to the plate to make sure the roads were cleared as soon as possible.

I learned a lot this week about our city’s public works department from our exclusive interview with Jeff Demers, the city’s public works director.

Public works director Jeff Demers says his department is ready for whatever Mother Nature brings

For example, did you know that Jeff and his crew plow 292 miles of roadways in Biddeford? That’s the equivalent of driving from City Hall in Biddeford to Albany, New York. Also, the city is expecting to use as much as 250 tons of salt on roadways this winter season.

Tuesday’s storm also impacted local politics. For the first time, the city’s biennial inauguration ceremonies were not held in City Theater. The event was online only because of slippery driving conditions and an active snow parking ban.

The University of New England’s controversial pier project is back in the news. The city has filed a formal complaint against the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) in York County Superior Court.

Our in-depth story revealed that even SRCC commissioners did not know about the court action, almost two weeks after the city filed its complaint.

After reading several complaints on social media, Contributing Writer Jim Krause did some investigating about the frequency and volume of train warning whistles and horns.

And even single-digit temperatures didn’t stop this year’s ‘Merry & Bright’ night in downtown Biddeford, complete with a tree lighting ceremony and a visit by Santa Claus.

Speaking of holiday celebrations, consider yourself invited to the Biddeford Gazette’s first holiday party!

Actually, the party is an open-house, community event that Laura and I have held for eight years on Christmas Day.

We provide a fully-stocked bar, my famous Bloody Mary cocktails garnished with shrimp and bacon and lots of yummy food throughout the day.

Learn more about the Seaver Christmas Chaos party here. BIDDEFORD GAZETTE/SEAVER CHAOS HOLIDAY PARTY

We have more exclusive news stories on deck. We’re also working on a retrospective of the news and events that shaped 2025 in Biddeford, including our list of the year’s Top-Ten local stories.

Also, we are going to keep tradition alive, and publish our exclusive interview with Santa Claus on Christmas eve.

Stay warm and be safe!

NEWSLETTER: Catch you on the flip side

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

Although it may be hard to believe, we are now pushing up against the edge of the 2025 holiday season. Wow! Where did this year go?

Over the next 30 days, people in our community will celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice and Christmas.

For many people, this can be a stressful and lonely time of the year. So please try to be extra kind during these shortest days of the year.

The world could always use a bit more kindness.

Winter will soon knock upon our door

On the local news front, I am pleased to announce that the Biddeford Gazette will actually take a four-day break between today and Sunday.

We have been moving at a break-neck speed for a while now, so it will likely feel good to walk away from the keyboard for just a few days.

When I think about all the many ways I am blessed, I also think about all those who have helped the Biddeford Gazette get its sea-legs over the past year.

I am grateful for the hundreds of subscribers who want the latest updates and news (You can subscribe here)

But I also thankful for all the people who stop me at the grocery store, downtown or in one of my favorite haunts just to simply express appreciation for what we are doing. It means a lot to me and keeps me motivated.

A look back

My friend Craig Pendleton and I decided to attend a campaign rally for U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner at the Biddeford Middle School. I decided to go as an observer, not a reporter. I did not bring a notebook or pen.

Five minutes into the event and I was scribbling notes with a borrowed pencil and scraps of paper. It was a big crowd of more than 1,000 people. The energy in the room was unmistakable.

U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner brough his campaign to Biddeford last week (Seaver photo)

Bounce Pickle & Play held its grand opening and offered the Gazette a tour of its facility throughout the former Smitty’s Cinema at the Five Points Shopping Center.

We were honored to share news from the Biddeford School Department about a prestigious, national grant received by the Biddeford Adult-Ed program.

State Sen. Henry Ingwersen again shared with Gazette readers his perspective about some of the things happening in Augusta, including a good break down and list of various resources available to those facing food insecurity.

We also learned that Brian Phinney, the city’s chief operating officer, submitted his notice of resignation. Phinney served as acting city manager for several months after the city council opted to give Jim Bennett the boot in February.

We wrapped up the week with a story about the St. Joseph’s Convent on Pool Road and the plan to transform it into housing for University of New England students.

Monday night’s review of UNE’s plan before the Saco River Corridor Commission required sitting through more than three hours of mind-numbing discussion about 12 other items on the agenda.

If you think the seats in the Biddeford City Council chamber are uncomfortable, try sitting three hours on a metal, folding chair under the glare of fluorescent lights.

What’s on deck?  

Of course, we will continue our Sunday tradition of showcasing local obituaries.

We are also planning to publish an in-depth story about the Age-Friendly programs in Biddeford and Saco.

The Age Friendly program is a national initiative focused on helping seniors live independently in their own homes.

And, one week from tonight (Dec. 2), the city of Biddeford will celebrate the inauguration of Liam LaFountain as the city’s next mayor.

On Tuesday, December2, the city of Biddeford will celebrate the inauguration of Liam LaFountain as the city’s next mayor

On a final note, in terms of gratitude. Words cannot express my gratitude for all the people helping the Gazette from behind the scenes.

Gail Toussaint of Biddeford serves as a copy-editor on many (not all) of our stories. She always responds within an hour. News does not happen on a 9-5 schedule, and Gail is always ready to help.

She takes the time to meticulously scan each story, sending her edits back within minutes. She does this – always on call – because she “loves the Gazette and what we’re doing.” She does not get paid.

On a similar note, Contributing Writer Jim Krause is always ready to help cover a story or an event. He is a gifted writer and a news junkie. Again, all of his work is done without pay.

And let’s not forget the nine members of our advisory board who stand ready with input, ideas, suggestions and constructive feedback. They are a power-house team (Check their profiles here)

And we simply cannot overlook or take for granted our publisher, Laura Seaver. Laura is our biggest champion and staunchest defender. We literally could not exist without her support and guidance.

My apologies for being long-winded. Enjoy the holiday and the comfort of family or friends. Drive carefully and be nice to one another.

____________________

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

NEWSLETTER: Not Your Father’s Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

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 for 2025.

We are also soliciting ideas about holiday coverage and feature stories that you may enjoy learning about.

Of course, we expect to once again offer an exclusive, sit-down interview with Santa Claus, but we also want to highlight and celebrate the diversity of Biddeford’s holiday season.

This is a great opportunity for you or your organization to share news and events about the holidays and community celebrations. CONTACT US

Now that the local elections are over, we are returning to a much more manageable schedule, focused on original, in-depth reporting.

For the time period between Oct. 1 and Nov. 12, we published an average of more than one story per day. Now, we anticipate two-to-three stories per week, not including obituaries, public events or business profiles.

Former Biddeford Mayor Gen. Wallace Nutting

Our annual Veterans’ Day parade this year highlighted the strength of what can be accomplished by collaboration between the cities of Biddeford and Saco. The bridge at the bottom of York Hill was dedicated in honor of Gen. Wallace Nutting, a native of Saco and former mayor of Biddeford.

Nutting was always very bullish about both cities, and he was perpetually on the hunt for partnership opportunities. It seems only fitting that a bridge connecting the two cities would be named in his honor.

This week’s news highlights:

Despite a recommendation by City Attorney Harry Center to send the issue back to the planning board, the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals voted 3-0 to deny a citizen-based appeal of the controversial pier being proposed by the University of New England.

The council’s chamber was packed for Thursday’s ZBA meeting

Biddeford’s Policy Committee tackled both next steps for an updated Comprehensive Plan and a review of the council’s Code of Ethics.

From our friends at Saco Bay News, we learned this week that three former York County corrections officers were indicted on charges that they facilitated the delivery of contraband items to prisoners.

What’s on deck:

On Saturday, we sat down with Biddeford Mayor-Elect Liam LaFountain for an exclusive, free-ranging interview about a number of issues facing the city.

Biddeford Mayor-Elect Liam LaFountain

We also met with folks from the Age Friendly Saco program to highlight the many services they provide to seniors and how they hope to work closely with the Age Friendly Biddeford program.

On Tuesday, the Biddeford City Council will tackle the issue of business hours at City Hall.

Currently, City Hall is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 5 pm; and on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In an effort to minimize public confusion, the council will consider streamlining business hours at City Hall to 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Changing hours at City Hall?

And that’s a wrap for this week.

Remember: What do you think were the Top-Ten news stories in Biddeford this year? Drop us a line at BiddefordGazette@gmail.com

___________________

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

NEWSLETTER: Glad it’s over; I need a nap

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

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 Liam LaFountain (left) talks with his supporters on Election Night at Pizza by Alex (Seaver photo)

Unlike the 2023 election, this year’s contest saw seven council seats being contested. People were ready for a change.

There was also a big uptick in voter participation this year. In fact, a record was broken for municipal turnout. Typically, 29 to 33 percent of registered voters make the effort to cast a ballot in Biddeford’s off-year elections.

This year, roughly 43 percent of registered voters cast a ballot.

Speaking of numbers, I am proud of our in-depth and comprehensive reporting.

The Biddeford Gazette began its political coverage on Oct. 1. During the month of October, we published a total of 51 stories. Forty-three of those stories were connected to the election. We also created a special section on our website that provided easy-to-find news and information about the election.

Additionally, we organized and coordinated a public debate between the three mayoral candidates and encouraged letters to the editor.

Phew! It is time for a nap.

Next steps?

As many of you know, in late August I broke my right arm in two places and shattered my elbow. I am pleased to say that it’s getting better with each passing day, but it certainly impacted the Biddeford Gazette.

An X-Ray of my shattered elbow

Between my broken arm and my somewhat manic approach to covering the elections, I let a lot of other things slide.

So, I think it’s time for me to get back to basics and remind myself that the Gazette is supposed to be fun. It does not (as of today) generate any income or revenue.

We’re going to focus
on quality, not quantity

I don’t need to chase down every wailing siren. I have the luxury of deciding what stories I will cover.

When I formally launched the Gazette in January, I wrote that this project was designed to “fill gaps in local media coverage by developing and publishing original news and opinion pieces about the city of Biddeford.”

What does that mean? Basically, we’re going to focus on quality, not quantity. We’re going to be more selective and put more emphasis on publishing contributed stories from the community.

Thank you so much for reading the Biddeford Gazette! Please feel free to drop us a line to offer your thoughts about our coverage or to suggest story ideas and news tips.

This Week’s Top Stories:

Biddeford chooses new mayor, city councilors

City seeks guidance from AG’s office regarding UNE pier

State Senator working to help stabilize childcare costs

Brisk turnout for Biddeford’s election

______________

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

NEWSLETTER: An expanding team and more coverage

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to October!

The days are getting shorter. The leaves are dropping, and Halloween is right around the corner.

It’s also almost time to choose a new mayor, city councilors and school committee members in Biddeford. My favorite time of the year!

Autumn at Chez Seaver

Biddeford Mayoral Debate

Last night, I served as one of the panelists at the 2025 Biddeford Mayoral Debate. We had a really good turnout, especially when considering it was the Friday night of long, holiday weekend.

I’ll pat myself on the back here and say I put several hours and lots of effort into organizing and coordinating the event. I think it went well, and I really appreciated the kind comments from members of the public.

The candidates were candid and addressed a wide range of issues with civility and respect. More than 130 people attended the event. READ MORE

Many people asked me if there will be another debate before the election. I don’t know, but I do know that I won’t be organizing another one this year.

Upcoming Election Information

Absentee ballots are now available from the City Clerk’s office, and voting day is November 4. The Biddeford Gazette has dedicated an entire section of our website for Biddeford election information.

Here you can find comprehensive information about the candidates, the referendum issues, political events and general information about voting and this year’s election.

The profiles of the three mayoral candidates will be published over the next week. In alphabetical order, we will begin with Norman Belanger on Tuesday; Marty Grohman on Wednesday and Liam LaFountain on Thursday.

A team effort

It’s hard to believe that the Biddeford Gazette is quickly approaching its one-year anniversary, and I am very pleased with our trajectory. The Gazette is melding into its mission statement of being a community-driven media outlet.

When looking over just the past week, you may have noticed that we posted 14 original news and opinion stories. Of those, 12 were exclusive and seven of them were written by other people.

What does that mean? It means that 50 percent of what we published this week came from community voices. That’s exciting! Tom McPheeters offered a deeper look at coastal erosion issues. Jim Krause offered us a profile of David Kurtz who is unopposed on the ballot; and Rep. Marc Malon did a deep dive regarding the importance of vaccines.

We are also leveraging our media partnership with The Maine Monitor. And Gail Toussaint is still volunteering her services as the copy-editor for several of our stories.

“50 percent of what we published
this week came from community voices“

Send us your stuff and event notices

We want more community voices! And we are now accepting Letters to the Editor and Guest columns from our readers! We are also expanding our Local Events page

On a final note, you can learn more about our expanding and talented team in the OUR TEAM section of our website

Furthermore, our volunteer Advisory Board will have its very first meeting on Thursday, and I am feeling so grateful that the idea Laura and I concocted 11 months ago is really beginning to take shape.

Enjoy your pumpkin-spice coffee and the clean, brisk air of autumn!

___________

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

NEWSLETTER: Surgery & Local Politics

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

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, did impact the Biddeford Gazette in a big way, especially because I was not able to use a keyboard, but we’re getting back on track.

And yes, Laura and I got a new puppy two weeks ago — as if we didn’t already have enough pets. To introduce Moose, I offer her as the featured photo for this newsletter installment.

We have a lot to get to, so let’s get started.

Campaign Coverage:

The local election season is upon us. Every two years, Biddeford voters choose a mayor, city councilors and school committee members. This year, voters will also be asked to decide two significant bond questions and a referendum regarding whether Biddeford needs a fresh look at the city’s charter.

For your convenience, the Gazette has created an entire section of our website to be a landing page for detailed information about the upcoming election. Here, you can find Frequently Asked Questions about the election and profiles about the candidates and issues, as well as a list of related public events.

Parts of this section are still under construction, and we plan to officially launch our comprehensive campaign coverage on Oct. 1 (We sure do love alliteration!)

Advisory Board:

I am happy to report that we are now in the process of scheduling and coordinating the very first meeting of our Advisory Board. I am so honored that these nine community members are willing to help the Gazette achieve its mission of being a trusted, community-driven news source.

Continued Growth/New Faces:

Our subscriber list continues to increase by leaps and bounds, but we are also experiencing some internal growth.  I would like to introduce you to Jim Krause, a Pennsylvania native who lives in Biddeford. Jim has written a few pieces for us including our recent profile of Biddeford’s new city manager.

Jim Krause, contributing writer for the Biddeford Gazette

The thing that amazes me is that Jim is willing to work without financial compensation. Look for more stories from him in the very near future.

We have also forged a relationship with the Maine Monitor, a statewide, non-profit digital media source that is dedicated to in-depth reporting and media collaboration with independent journalists across the state.

Recent/Exclusive News Stories:

Despite my broken arm, I am proud of the fact that the Gazette has still been able to bring you several exclusive and important news stories over the last few weeks, including:

Biddeford’s former city manager and questions about his own property tax assessments

A grassroots group of citizens collected enough signatures to force a special citizens’ meeting before the city council.

A roundtable public forum that included several of the candidates hoping to be elected in November.

A deeper look at Biddeford’s revised ordinances regarding engine braking.

A story about ongoing thefts of bottles and cans collected by local veterans.

On a final note, I want to offer a really big shout out to the Gazette’s publisher, my wife Laura. Laura is the reason we were able to keep publishing over the last few weeks. She has been a typist, a therapist and something else beginning with the letter ‘t,” that I can’t think of now. (Yes, we really do love alliteration)

Take care and be good to each other!

_____________

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

NEWSLETTER: The power of the press

~ Randy Seaver ~ 3 Comments

Edmund Burke, a member of British Parliament, once described the press and news media as the “fourth estate” of government during a 1771 speech.

Burke reasoned that the press had broad and significant power to influence government and public policy.

At that time, the other three estates of the realm were assigned to the clergy, the nobility and the commoners.

Last year’s selfie at our campsite on Moosehead Lake

From time to time, people ask me why I put so much time and effort into running the Biddeford Gazette. After all, this project does not generate any revenue.

No paywalls, no ads and free subscriptions.

I do it because I really love doing it. I love telling the stories of people in our community. I love holding elected officials accountable, and I especially love being able to champion the needs of those without a voice.

Being a journalist is the most fulfilling career I can imagine, but it also comes with a very big responsibility. I do my best to live up to that responsibility with every keystroke on my computer.

This week, I was able to leverage the Biddeford Gazette as a resource to help a local non-profit agency finally get the restitution they were owed by a large, national corporation that had been ignoring the situation.

I have been doing this for more than 30 years. I don’t recall a more satisfying story than the one I wrote this week about Roxi Suger and her struggle to collect funds her charity was owed.

On the other end of the spectrum, I had an absolute blast interviewing Cash and Nick Cassidy about their indie film, Childish Things, which will kick off this year’s Vacationland Film Festival at Biddeford’s City Theater.

Hearing the brothers talk about their cross-country adventure sparked my own memories of a cross-country trip that my friend Dale and I took in 1986, carrying a black velvet painting of Abraham Lincoln along Route 66 in an attempt to get on the David Letterman show. You can read about the Lincoln Tour here.

We were also able to spark a conversation this week about age and whether it should be a factor in local elections; and we dug a bit further into the discussion about the term “Biddo.”

This week, the Biddeford Gazette was also able to raise awareness about the struggles facing Dupuis Hardware, a beloved downtown business; and we reported on the progress of a grassroots community effort to help the victims of a terrible fire earlier this month.

Finally, I was honored to share the story of Ryan Paige, a Biddeford native who overcame a drug addiction and is now leading an effort that is helping hundreds of Mainers achieve sobriety from Kittery to Caribou.

With any luck, 24 hours from now, Laura and I will be sitting on the shore of Moosehead Lake for a much-needed break over the next few days.

We’ll catch you on the rebound. In the meantime, stay safe and be good to each other.

NEWSLETTER: Big news, big changes

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

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 the distance of Maine’s largest lake

But back to Biddeford.

We’ll talk more about some big developments here at the Gazette, including our newly formed advisory board and our new media partners, but let’s start with some of our recent headlines.

LOTS OF NEWS: Click here to see my 30-second video update

Biddeford police arrested a transient who is now facing multiple charges in connection with two shootings near the Pearl Street parking garage.

Sadly, a significant fire on Brackett Street displaced two families who are now faced with the daunting task of putting their lives back together.

Biddeford’s former city manager was back in the news, asking the city to reimburse him for expenses he incurred while performing as a Shriner clown in other communities – roughly five months after he was shown the door at City Hall.

A two-year saga regarding a controversial pier proposed by the University of New England appears to be coming to an end. The planning board voted 3-2 to grant final approval of the project.

After a rather sleepy 2023 municipal election, this year’s races are really heating up, and we now have a three-way race for the mayor’s seat and several contested city council seats.

The Gazette is keeping a close eye on the city’s political landscape. You can always get the latest updates here.

There is a lot more, including reports and opinion pieces submitted to us by people like you. (Keep ‘em coming, folks!)

EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS:

I recently attended an event at the McArthur Library that was co-hosted by The Maine Monitor and Saco Bay News, both online publications.

The meeting was part of a statewide listening tour being conducted by The Maine Monitor, intended to explore how people are accessing local news and what they expect from local media outlets.

Josh Keefe of the Maine Monitor, shares highlights of a break-out group discussion about local journalism.

As the digital age of journalism continues, the new media landscape offers both opportunities and challenges for local journalists and news consumers.

Bottom line? Local newsrooms are fighting for survival. Reporters are expected to do more with fewer resources. Corporate media consolidation is shrinking news rooms and local coverage.

How do we do more with fewer resources?

Collaboration is the name of the game. Local media can break down traditional walls of competition and look for opportunities to work together and share resources.

That concept, I am proud to say, has been one of our core values. We are always looking for Biddeford news produced by other outlets. We use our social media pages to share those stories and direct readers to those media sources.

I was so pleased to be able to share a story about great white sharks that was originally published in The Maine Monitor. That’s how we leverage the internet to benefit our readers.

Thursday’s fire was a difficult story to cover. Of course, I went to the scene. It’s my job, but I was really tired and felt emotionally drained. Then I received a call from a news producer at WGME-TV (Channel 13). They asked permission to use my photos and video.

I breathed a sigh of relief. I could go home and not have another story to write. I could simply share WGME’s story on the Gazette’s website. That’s collaboration.

Another big step forward

Finally, most importantly, I am so proud and honored to announce that our advisory board is now a reality. We have seven members on the volunteer board and are actively seeking nominations from the community about possible candidates to fill the remaining two positions. Please contact us with your suggestions.

Check out the profiles of the individual members. It’s an impressive list and represents a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experience that will be invaluable as we move forward in our mission of providing community-driven news.

Our first meeting will likely take place sometime in September.

That’s it for now. Let the vacation count-down clock begin!

_________________

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com

NEVER MISS ANOTHER UPDATE! Subscribe for free today!

NEWSLETTER: Summer In the City

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Hopefully, you are all enjoying the beautiful weather this week! I am on semi-vacation, pinging back and forth between our campsite at Rangeley Lake and Biddeford.

No matter where you find yourself, this is a good week to be living in Maine.

This is also a very good week for those of us who closely follow local politics.

WELCOME TO BIDDEFORD POLITICS

Every two years, Biddeford voters select a mayor, city councilors and school committee members.

If you’re considering running for one of these positions, you first need to take out nomination papers and get the required number of signatures to place your name on the November ballot.

You should also read this piece I published last week regarding the pitfalls and benefits of public service.

This will be the Biddeford Gazette’s first election season, but I have been watching and reporting on this city’s local elections for nearly 30 years, and I can guarantee you the Gazette will be providing comprehensive coverage and the latest daily updates.

We are already running down information, including all the latest developments: reports of former councilors seeking a return; new faces considering a run, and incumbents who may or may not seek reelection.

There are already two candidates vying to be the city’s next mayor: Incumbent Marty Grohman and Councilor Norman Belanger. I would not be surprised to see some other people toss their hats into the ring. Stay tuned, and we’ll have some fun!

Nomination papers will be available beginning Thursday (July 24) at the City Clerk’s office.

A BIG MILESTONE

When Laura and I decided to formally start the Biddeford Gazette in January, we told ourselves we would not invest too much money into the venture and would wait six months before committing more time or resources.

Last week, the Gazette hit that six-month marker, and I am very proud of what we have accomplished so far.

The Gazette is not about me. The Gazette is about Biddeford, and our mission has not changed. We believe the city of Biddeford and its people deserve a dedicated, community-driven news source, something that has been missing for a few years now.

Over the last six months, the Biddeford Gazette has published 81 news stories, many of which were exclusive and most were reported days and even weeks before other media outlets filed reports.

We have also published 14 feature stories and seven “Community Voices” stories, which are written or submitted to us by other community members. That’s the part we’re really hoping to grow as we move forward.

WHAT’S NEXT?

We have started a new business section, a rudimentary community calendar — and beginning this week we will launch our newest feature, FLUFF PIECES – a project we are doing in partnership with the Animal Welfare Society to feature a different pet available for adoption each week.

We received hundreds of clever and funny suggestions from the community about the naming of this new section. Thank you to all who offered so many very cool suggestions!

I am especially pleased to announce that we are also now in the process of putting together a seven-member community advisory board.

If the Gazette is going to truly serve the community, it must have the pulse of the people who live, work and play here. We need and want constructive feedback from the community. We want to hear a diversity of new ideas and suggestions.

I think that’s more than enough for one newsletter. Get out there and enjoy Maine’s beaches, lakes and public parks. Be safe and have fun!

As always, thank you for reading!

—Randy Seaver, editor

NEVER MISS ANOTHER UPDATE! Subscribe for free today!

NEWSLETTER: A big week for the Biddeford Gazette

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

A lot can happen in just a few days, and that’s especially true when you’re in the news business.

Over just the past few days, we added a new staff member to the Gazette team, got a huge compliment from one of Maine’s most respected journalists and stumbled across a significant story that is still in development.

Hint: I’ve got a funny feeling we have not heard the last from our former city manager, Jim Bennett

This week, we also first broke the story about Biddeford’s new city manager, provided in-depth coverage about a site walk at the University of New England and were able to reminisce with others about the final closure of the JFK Memorial School.

A new face at the Gazette:

I am excited to announce that Gail Toussaint of Biddeford has decided to join our team as a much-needed copy editor.

Gail told us that she really enjoys reading the Biddeford Gazette, but noticed occasional typos and grammatical errors. When you’re basically running a one-man operation on a deadline, little mistakes can be expected, but they are never acceptable.

Gail Toussaint joins the Gazette (Facebook photo)

We strive to give you a quality, trustworthy product that is accurate, relevant and timely (ART). Gail actually volunteered to help us meet that mission. I was blown away by her offer to help us without any type of compensation.

“I love what the Gazette is doing,” Gail told us. “I think it’s an important part of our community, and I’m happy to help.”

It’s important to note that Gail will not be able to edit all of our stories, so if you see a typo, blame us, not her. Actually, we really do encourage our readers to contact us if they spot an error, have a complaint or a suggestion about a possible story.

A huge compliment:

Who doesn’t like being recognized for their efforts? A few days ago, I received an email from A Jay Higgins, one of Maine’s best known and respected journalists.

For more than 40 years, AJ has worked as a reporter and editor at the Bangor Daily News, at the Portland Press Herald’s former parent company (Blethen) and most recently at Maine Public Radio before retiring.

“I admire your tenacity as you undertake this project,” Higgins wrote. “I just don’t get it. People really do want local news: the council meetings, the school board meetings, the sewer district meetings, baked bean suppers, school sports, Elks Lodge, births, deaths etc.

A Jay Higgins (photo: Maine Public Radio)

“But they apparently don’t want to pay for it. “Just a thought, keep up the good work.”

When you get a compliment from a colleague, it reminds you that your work is worth the effort.

That said, I would also like to thank all the others who pass along well wishes and compliments on an almost daily basis.

For example, last week I took my truck for an oil change at Jiffy Lube in Biddeford. The man working at the counter asked, “are you Randy Seaver?”

Cautiously, I affirmed his query. “Cool,” he responded. “I really like what you’re doing with the Gazette.”

And there are so many others, former city councilors, teachers and former classmates. I cherish all of it. Thank you so much for your continued support!

New city manager

A lot of people have asked me what I think about the woman who will likely become Biddeford’s next city manager. I have yet to meet Truc Dever in person, but I am feeling quite optimistic about her taking over the helm at City Hall.

Truc Dever, Biddeford’s new city manager

In my opinion, she is well-qualified for the position — both on paper and hands-on experience. But the biggest thing she offers Biddeford is a fresh set of eyes and a breath of fresh air. She has no allegiances to anyone or any institution. She has not been influenced by Biddeford’s culture, history or the often-negative narrative about our community.

In short, I am looking forward to seeing what she can do to help Biddeford achieve all the success we deserve.

What’s on the horizon?

I have a lot of stories in development. So, stay tuned. We are also approaching our six-month anniversary, when Laura and I plan to make some significant decisions about the Gazette’s future.

Later today, you can expect to read my exclusive feature story about Gen. Marquis de Lafeyette and the celebration of his visit to Biddeford 200 years ago.

In the meantime, stay safe, have fun and enjoy your summer!

Remember what Shakespeare said: “Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”

***’

On a more personal note, you may want to check out my recent blog post about my time as a student at the JFK School in Biddeford: Fear and Loathing in Biddeford

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com

NEVER MISS ANOTHER UPDATE! Subscribe for free today!

NEWSLETTER: Things are looking good, real good

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

It’s been a while since my last newsletter, but I am feeling good about the Biddeford Gazette’s trajectory and its future.

From time to time, I have to keep reminding myself that this publication is only four months old. We have come quite a way in just the last few weeks.

We also have some pretty big – and interesting – stories on the immediate horizon, but I am quite glad to be taking a bit of a breather during this holiday weekend. This last week, especially, has been a whirlwind.

Speaking of the holiday, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the local volunteers, veterans, city officials and non-profit organizations who work so hard every year to pay a somber and meaningful tribute to all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Although the major sewer/road project is preventing a parade this weekend, there will be a very special ceremony held at Waterhouse Field, complete with marching bands and everything else you would see in a parade. As Marshall Archer – Commander of Biddeford AMVETS Post No. 1 – said, ‘It will be just like a parade without all the walking.”

You can find more information about this year’s ceremony by clicking this link

I am also quite proud of what the Gazette has been able to accomplish, and I really appreciate all the great feedback I have been receiving.

Striving to be part of the community

Two things stand out to me: our publication of weekly obituaries and the Community Voices section of our web site.

Unlike other media sites, we publish local obituaries from area funeral homes every Sunday at no charge to the families or the public. People seem to appreciate the service, and according to our analytical indicators it remains as one of the Gazette’s most popular features.

With the help of our social media partners, we have access to more than 35,000 people in the Biddeford-Saco area.

People also seem to enjoy our Community Voices page, where we feature things written and submitted to us from other people. Over the past few weeks, we have published stories from others about a project to preserve dune grass at local beaches, the accomplishments of Biddeford students. — including the undefeated Biddeford Middle School math teams — and the perspective of a volunteer at the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center.

We plan to be expanding this section in the coming weeks, including coverage of legislative issues that are being shaped in Augusta.

A unique approach to sharing news

There is also one thing we do that is pretty unique in the competitive world of gathering and sharing news.

We actually highlight stories about Biddeford from other media sites. We use our social media page to share stories about Biddeford from other journalists and publications, including Saco Bay News, the Portland Press Herald, Maine Biz, Spectrum News, WGME-TV and WMTW-TV.

We help direct more traffic directly to their websites or social media pages.

Why do we do this? We do it for you so that you can have all of the latest news and information about Biddeford, all gathered and easy to find in one place.

To the best of my knowledge, no other news site does this.

Lots happening in Biddeford

As I said near the top, we have some pretty exciting news stories on the horizon, including the fact that Biddeford is close to hiring a new city manager and my suspicion is that we have yet to hear the last from former City Manager James Bennett who was ousted from his office in February.

Over the past several days, we have been averaging one new – and often exclusive – news story per day.

For example, this week we continued our ongoing coverage of a massive sewer/road project that will be continuing until November. (Please try to support downtown merchants. Many of them are hurting because people are avoiding the area)

We also continue to lead in our comprehensive coverage about the University of New England’s controversial pier proposal. We also reported as the community paid a final farewell to a former city councilor and an iconic member of the city’s Irish community. Among our other exclusive stories, we reported on a lawsuit being filed against the city in Superior Court, a new program to give unhoused residents employment opportunities and the opening of an aquarium in downtown Biddeford.

I think that about covers it. As always, thank you for reading! And if you haven’t yet, please join hundreds of others and subscribe to our site. Also, please like and follow us on Facebook. Tell your friends and family, too!

Enjoy your weekend, and let’s all hope that we can enjoy a few sunny days this summer.

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

NEWSLETER: Feb. 23, 2025

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

Just when you think things are going to slow down and become more manageable, some big stories come from out of nowhere and demand your immediate attention.

Such was the case last week, with two stories that were both exclusive to the Biddeford Gazette. First, the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the city of Biddeford, voluntarily withdrew their suit just weeks before the matter was to be heard at the Maine Supreme Court.

That lawsuit challenged the decisions of a lower court’s ruling and the decision by the Biddeford Planning Board regarding a housing development and land swap near Clifford Park.

James Bennett

Before the ink had even dried on that story, we learned that Biddeford City Manager Jim Bennett would not be returning to his office after a brief vacation. City officials are being tight-lipped about the matter, but the surprise announcement seemed strange, especially since Bennett had said he would stay at his post until mid-April when he announced his resignation back in October.

As always, we were also happy to share some photos and news from this year’s Winterfest celebration. We even caught video of Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman busting a move along with several others during an exercise class.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/R8aeV2y39Js

We were also happy to share an intriguing story about inspiring students at Biddeford High School,

Things are moving along even better than I could have imagined just two months ago. We now have hundreds of subscribers and — apparently — we’re now an international publication with a handful of subscribers from foreign countries, including six from Canada; two from Portugal and one from each Italy and New Zealand.

Pretty cool, eh?

On a more somber note, I am still happy to provide updated local obituaries each week at no charge to families. However, doing this does give you a moment of pause, especially when the obituaries are for people younger than you. Also, being part of the community, also means knowing or being connected to several of the deceased.

It’s a good reminder to live your life to the fullest, and never take anything for granted.

In closing, I apologize for being a day late in publishing this newsletter. Laura and I took a much-needed break and spent the weekend with some close friends in central Maine.

Maine is a big, beautiful and diverse state. On Saturday, we went from watching and listening to the roar of two-stroke snowmobiles in the annual Unity Pond snowmobile races and then over to Belfast to enjoy that community’s ice sculpture festival. It was pretty amazing to watch the ice sculptors work,

Now, I’m back, rested up and ready to finish the third installment of our three-part series regarding Biddeford’s housing crisis..

Drop me a line if you have a story idea, a complaint or a suggestion. As always, thank you so much for reading!

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

NEWSLETTER: From Me to You

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Hard to believe it’s been two weeks since our last newsletter. A big thank you to all of you who have decided to join us on this journey by subscribing and/or following and liking us on Facebook.

A quick review:

Things at the Biddeford Gazette have been moving quickly and there are exciting changes on the horizon, but let’s take a quick look back:

In the last two weeks, we have posted nine stories, including six exclusive news stories, a contributed column from State Rep. Marc Malon, and a somewhat fun opinion piece about Biddeford’s quirky penchant for creating an ever-growing list of municipal committees, boards and commissions.

Winterfest returns to Biddeford today! (Devin Wright photo)

But there are two stories that really stick out for me this week, including the first installment of our three-part series regarding Biddeford’s housing crisis. I had to do three installments because there are just so many moving pieces to this complex puzzle, and I want to explore all of the angles.

If housing is a concern of yours, the Biddeford City Council will host a special workshop meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 11, beginning at 5:30 p.m. There will be an opportunity for public comment. You can choose to watch the meeting online. Click here for more info about that meeting

The other story was much tougher to write. Our community came together this week to honor and support the family of a Biddeford police officer who was killed in a traffic accident in December.

I have been doing this work off and on for decades. The hardest part of the job is interviewing people when they are grappling with crippling grief and loss.

My colleague Liz Gotthelf and I respectfully remained in a corner while we waited for Police Chief JoAnne Fisk to ask Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek’s parents if they would be willing to speak with the media.

Even with their permission – and gratitude – it is still the hardest part of the job, and you want to do your very best to capture the story with precision, empathy and respect.

Many officers of the Biddeford Police Department are wearing wrist bands that honor the memory of Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek (Seaver photo)

Community Feedback:

We have received some very good feedback, suggestions and guidance from the community. Not a day goes by when I don’t hear encouraging and supportive words from my neighbors, friends and others who care deeply about Biddeford.

One person suggested that we should change and darken the font on our site to make it more readable. Done. Another person suggested that we should add an events calendar to our site. We are working on that and hope to launch a dedicated page for community events by the end of the month.

Another person who I greatly respect, told me she is enjoying reading the Gazette but advised me to slow down a bit. She said I should consider taking a day off once in a while.

Another person suggested that we try to shorten some of our stories to make them more readable. I have now imposed a 750-word limit on myself.

However, the most popular part of the Biddeford Gazette is our weekly publishing of obituaries that are updated on our website daily. Unlike other publications, we provide this service at no charge to the families or funeral homes. We consider it a public service. With the combined resources of our social media partners, we have access to more than 35,000 readers.

One former local politician asked me why I showcase other media outlets on the Biddeford Gazette’s Facebook page.

It’s part of our mission, I explained. We are here to promote Biddeford news, regardless of where it comes from. We simply post a link to the other guys so that when you click on their stories, our Facebook page takes you directly to their site, not our site.

No other media outlet does that: promoting news stories from other media outlets. We do it to make it easier for you to stay on top of what’s happening from a wide variety of sources.

In just the last week, I have shared stories from Saco Bay News, the Biddeford-Saco Courier, WGME-TV and WMTW-TV. Make sure to like and follow the Biddeford Gazette on Facebook so that you stay completely up to date.

What’s ahead?

We have a lot of things in the works. After all, it’s been less than 30 days since we officially launched this site.

Don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. In addition to chocolates and greeting cards, maybe you could throw a little love our way by subscribing to our site, and following us on Facebook.

Enjoy Winterfest this weekend!

As always, thank you so much for reading!

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

NEWSLETTER: Where are we going?

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

Wow! Just wow. When I started the Biddeford Gazette, I had no idea how well it would be received by the community.

It’s a new year; we have a new president, and I now have a new project that will keep me occupied for the foreseeable future. Thus, welcome to my first newsletter!

WHERE WE ARE:

I did a soft launch of the Biddeford Gazette back in November. But a couple of weeks ago, we decided to make it official and bought a website domain that is exclusive for the Biddeford Gazette.

Within just the first two hours of our mid-January launch, more than 175 people subscribed to the Gazette. 175 people in less than two hours? Holy Cow! The subscriptions continue to climb beyond my expectations.

If you would like to subscribe, go here.

WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

In just the last two weeks, we have:

Traditional print publications charge families hundreds of dollars to publish an obituary. We do it for free and consider it a community service. With our social media partners, we have access to more than 35,000 readers in the Biddeford-Saco area.

  • Created a social media page to share and promote Biddeford news from other media outlets in southern Maine, including Saco Bay News, the Biddeford-Saco Courier, MaineBiz and Portland television stations.  All part of our mission to keep our readers informed about what is happening in the community.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

The future certainly looks bright. Down the road, we hope to expand our operation.

Additional reporting: We have already been contacted by a few former journalists who are interested in freelance work and helping us with our mission of local news coverage;

High School Sports coverage: We are working to develop an internship for high school students interested about a career in journalism;

Improvements: We hope to improve our website design and functionality as we continue moving forward.;

Expanding community voices: We hope to provide an ongoing diversity of perspectives and experience on our pages. If you are interested in writing a column or submitting a press release, please contact us.

In-depth reporting: Next week will begin a three-part series that focuses on the issues of housing in the Biddeford area. This comprehensive project will include interviews with real estate agents, developers, local and state officials and homeless advocates and many others.

Creating an Advisory Council: We are looking for a few people who would be interested in providing guidance and ideas about our news coverage.

Thank you for the support, and please keep reading! With your support and input, we will continue our mission of reporting news and information about the city of Biddeford and its people.

Cheers!

Never miss another update. Enter your email address to subscribe for free today!