By STATE SEN. HENRY INGWERSEN,Special to the Gazette
On the first day of the legislative session, I joined my colleagues in the House and Senate at a press conference to outline our sweeping “Lower Costs, Stronger Communities” bill package. From health care and energy to childcare and housing, we are going to work hard to lower everyday costs for Maine families.
As part of this package, I’d like to highlight my bill, LD 1859, “An Act to Improve Access to Child Care and Early Childhood Education by Establishing Regional Resource Hubs.” It seeks to address Maine’s childcare crisis by creating a network of regional hubs to connect families, childcare providers and employers with much-needed information and support. It would help them locate early childhood programs and similar resources, including training opportunities for providers in the state. I know that childcare is a personal issue for many, and, as a grandfather, it’s personal for me and my family, too.
Photo: Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families
In that same vein, following another press conference a couple of weeks later with Senate President Mattie Daughtry, parents and childcare workers, I introduced a bill to invest in Maine’s essential child care system. I presented LD 2066, “An Act to Establish the Child Care Employment Award,” to the Health and Human Services Committee, which I chair.
Seeking to build on a successful two-year pilot program, the bill would make the Child Care Employment Award (CCEA) a permanent component of Maine’s child care subsidy system, supplemented by the Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP). The CCEA maximizes existing public investments in child care and gives an added boost to those who work as child care professionals. 62% of participating families are eligible for the CCAP and receive subsidies from it. The CCEA covers the required co-payments for those children whose parents are child care professionals at an average of $114 per child. That’s real money that parents can keep in their pockets. This is an added incentive to the child care staff who currently are some of the lowest-paid professionals in Maine.
At its core, this bill recognizes a simple truth: our child care system cannot function without the educators and staff who show up every day to care for Maine’s youngest children – and those workers must be able to afford child care themselves. When child care workers can afford care for their own children, staffing levels stabilize, classrooms stay open and parents across all sectors can continue working. This program is not simply a benefit for individual educators – it is essential infrastructure.
I told the Committee: As of September 2025, the program currently supports 511 Maine children from 313 working families. Without additional funding, 470 children from 312 families will remain on the waitlist. These children – and their hardworking parents – have already waited too long. We need to get them off the waitlist and into child care centers across the district, like St. Louis Child Development Center in Biddeford.
I had the opportunity to tour St. Louis Center in Biddeford in the fall. During the visit, I learned about the high-quality childcare that St. Louis has been delivering to children of all backgrounds and needs for over 35 years. Indeed, the Center has extensive experience navigating Maine’s childcare system, and they excel at working with families from all walks of life. I especially appreciated their comments and feedback on how we can make the childcare system less burdensome for care providers and families alike.
I, along with some of my colleagues, have taken that feedback to heart. The child care workers at St. Louis emphasized the importance of predictability and stability in state child care programs in order for centers to keep their doors open and retain staff. We need to continue to fund and support the child care subsidy system, and we need to be creative in making it work for more families.
With these critical investments, we can support Mainers with children and those who take care of them, making it easier and more affordable to start a family here in Maine.
___________
State Sen. Henry Ingwersen represents the communities of Arundel, Biddeford, Dayton, Hollis and Lyman in the Maine Senate. (District 32)
A January 13 City Council workshop meeting included an in-depth presentation by Philip Saucier of Bernstein Shur on TIFs (tax increment financing) and CEAs (credit enhancement agreements).
These terms get thrown around like they’re the same thing. They’re not. They’re separate tools, each with a purpose and each capable of being used well or badly.
In my day-to-day life, I might go from using my computer to using a table saw. Both are tools. Both can do real damage if you use them carelessly. The solution isn’t to ban computers because identity theft exists, or to ban table saws because they can take a finger.
Photo By Patrick Fitzgerald -Wkipedia
The solution is guardrails: good practices, good rules, and an understanding of the risks.
CEAs work the same way. A CEA isn’t automatically “a giveaway.” It’s a contract that can be written with real conditions. It can be as simple as reimbursing a percentage of new tax revenue, or it can be designed to pay only when specific outcomes are delivered. That distinction matters because Biddeford’s biggest redevelopment controversies haven’t been about the existence of a tool. They’ve been about leverage.
My interest in municipal governance was spurred by the MERC redevelopment process, a slow, meandering saga that’s now closing in on a decade since the first site concepts were drafted.
When you read the agreements closely, what jumps out isn’t just time. It’s how little enforceable leverage the city retained to shape a defining downtown project. Ironically, one of the most criticized mechanisms in these deals is also one of the best ways to demand results: a well-structured CEA.
If the city wants outcomes like housing units, specific mixes of development, public infrastructure commitments, and timelines that actually mean something, CEAs can be written to require them. Tie reimbursements to milestones. Build in performance metrics. Use phased triggers and claw backs when promised deliverables don’t show up.
That’s not anti-development. That’s basic accountability.
So, while I understand the instinct to be skeptical of CEAs, especially given how some have been structured in the past, I’d caution the City Council against rejecting a tool that can provide serious negotiating leverage.
The problem isn’t CEAs. The problem is CEAs written with no teeth. CEAs are a tool. Like a table saw, they deserve respect. Used well, they build something real.
Used carelessly, people get hurt.
___________
Sam Pecor
Sam Pecor is a Biddeford resident and a member of the Biddeford Gazette’s advisory board. The views expressed are those of the author. The Gazette welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor from our readers.
Let me ask you something: what do you do when you feel pain?
That’s a loaded question. So, let’s stick to the responsible move: see a doctor and establish the cause.
The answer is no different when it comes to a business, a city, a state or even a nation. Identifying the causes of our malaise is the first step toward remedying it. So why are we so averse to that conversation in public? We are unable to get past “something hurts” and identify what’s hurting and what’s causing it.
Biddeford has suffered years of preventable mismanagement that has persisted without anyone naming the specific, often boring, causes.
Sam Pecor
Take our Comprehensive Plan. You don’t need a comprehensive plan to exist as a city. You do, however, need the state’s approval, a finding of consistency, if you want the full set of planning tools, if you expect the state to take your zoning seriously, and if you want Biddeford to be competitive for the grant dollars and capital investment that reward communities that plan.
According to the state’s own planning incentives list (quoted verbatim), here’s all that we’ve given up by not receiving state approval for our Comprehensive Plan:
Enact legitimate zoning, impact fee, and rate of growth ordinances;
Require state agencies to comply with local zoning standards;
Qualify for preferred status with many of the state’s competitive grant programs;
Guide state growth-related capital investment towards locally-chosen growth areas;
Qualify for Site Location of Development Act exemptions for certain growth-area developments;
Qualify for relaxed MaineDOT traffic permit standards for certain growth-area developments;
Qualify for authority to issue Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA) permits; and
Qualify for authority to issue Site Location of Development Act permits.
For the residents living beside the York Judicial Center: in practice, without a state-approved Comprehensive Plan, our zoning standards can be merely advisory to the state, weakening our ability to protect abutters.
Failure to adopt a state-approved Comprehensive Plan does far more than erode our ability to self-govern. It affects everyone. It weakens our competitiveness for state grant opportunities. That leaves significant money on the table and pushes more of the burden onto property taxpayers.
A consistent failing among city leadership has been communicating the connections between these problems and the pain we are feeling today. When people understand these connections, they are more likely to support real solutions: funding for staff, investments in technology and increased compliance oversight, to name a few.
Citizens of Biddeford understand cause and effect; we get that investing $1 to save $2 is a good deal. Establish the cause, determine the cost and implement a strategy that saves more than it costs. That’s it, that’s the whole ball game.
Sam Pecor is a Biddeford resident and serves on the Biddeford Gazette’s Advisory Board. We welcome submitted commentary from our readers.For more information, please CONTACT US
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By State Sen. HENRY INGWERSEN,Special to the Gazette
This time of year, we’re all familiar with the Grinch who, seeking to ruin the holidays, sneaks around and tries to steal Christmas from the good people of Whoville.
However, on December 3, I gaveled in the final meeting of a commission that had its eye on another crafty fellow – the fraudster that fakes property deeds, stealing land and homes from right underneath buyers and sellers alike. Known as a “seller impersonator,” he is often a fraudulent seller who fakes a deed for a property, sells it to a legitimate buyer and walks away with the money, causing harm and legal headaches to hardworking Mainers.
Earlier this year, I introduced legislation to create the Deed Fraud Prevention Commission. LD 353 received unanimous, bipartisan support in the Judiciary Committee and Maine Senate. It was signed into law on July 1.
Commission members included licensed realtors, title attorneys, registrars of deeds, representatives of law enforcement and banking, the Secretary of State’s office and bipartisan legislators. I was honored to serve as the Senate Chair of the Commission.
Throughout the fall, my fellow commission members and I met in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the crime of deed fraud, how prevalent it is in Maine and how it occurs. We also learned about existing criminal penalties for deed fraud; available educational materials for awareness and prevention; and recent studies, recommendations and legislation from other states designed to prevent and provide relief from deed fraud.
Commission members and invited guests explained the duties and practices involved in property sales in Maine, including identity verification, notarization, the scope of title insurance and recording of deeds. They also spoke of their experiences and perspectives of deed fraud in Maine.
During our meetings, we found that seller impersonation fraud is a growing, complicated problem nationwide and in Maine. We learned that “red flags” warning of possible deed fraud can include, among other things, a vacant land transaction, a push for a hurried sale at below market value, the seller only communicating electronically and an all-cash sale. Also, due to the difficulties of locating and holding responsible perpetrators of deed fraud and unwinding the fraudulent deed once it is recorded, we found that prevention is crucial.
_______________
We found that seller impersonation fraud is a growing,
complicated problem nationwide and in Maine.
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At our final meeting, we discussed and voted on our proposed findings and recommendations. By the end of the month, we’ll finalize our report, which we’ll present to the Judiciary Committee in the new year, including any recommendations for legislation the Committee can develop and propose to the full Legislature.
With the rise in deed fraud, it is critical that we take action to protect fellow Mainers from predatory scammers, especially for those who have worked hard and lived in their homes for decades or held onto vacant property as a nest egg for later in life. Through this thoughtful commission, we developed a fuller understanding of the problem and how we might be able to address it in the next legislative session.
If you want to learn more about our work, you can find all of the Commission’s materials online here. You can watch the archived audio-visual recordings of the meetings and read and review the background materials. Once it’s available, you can also read the final report.
Along with our findings and recommendations, I hope that these materials help raise public awareness about these kinds of real estate scams. After all, as we learned, it is much harder to prevent them if folks aren’t aware of them.
I want to wish you all a happy new year and blessings for a healthy and positive 2026.
__________________
Henry Ingwersen is serving his second term as the state senator representing District 32, which includes Biddeford, Arundel, Dayton, Hollis and Lyman.
In his letter to the editor, this Red Cross volunteer offers a stark reality about the need for blood donations during this time of year.
Editor:
A few hours into the blood drive, Nancy walked out of the Biddeford Eagles Facility in tears.
I hurried to meet her and asked what was wrong. Through her sobs, she said, “It happened again, my iron count was too low. I wanted so badly to give blood and help.”
Her disappointment was clear, and I gently reminded her that she was already helping simply by showing up. The truth is, I’ve seen this before, no matter how willing someone is, their iron or hemoglobin levels just aren’t high enough to donate that day.
But here’s what’s important: even when you can’t give blood, you can still give hope. A financial donation to the Red Cross helps ensure our lifesaving mission continues every single day.
As a volunteer in the Red Cross Biomedical Services, I see firsthand the difference your support makes. The Red Cross provides lifesaving blood to 38 Maine hospitals and medical centers, and we must collect 130 donations every day to meet patient needs.
The reality is this: The need for blood and platelets never stops. Cancer patients, accident victims, and surgical patients depend on it every day.
Blood can’t be manufactured; it must come from volunteer donors. Any pause in donations puts patients at risk. You can make a lifesaving difference right now.
Donate blood or platelets this month to help hospitals care for patients as we head into the holidays.
Make your appointment today. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or download the Blood Donor App to schedule your donation.
The holidays are also a time when emergencies increase such that home fire responses rise by
nearly percent nationwide, and many Mainers need help recovering. Because of caring donors and volunteers, the Red Cross is always there, providing shelter, financial support, first aid and comfort to families in crisis and to our military members facing challenges.
This holiday season, you can be the reason someone finds hope again. If you’re unable to give blood, please consider making a financial donation at redcross.org.
Together, we can ensure that no one faces their darkest moment alone, whether it’s after a disaster, in a hospital room or right here in our community.
The first regular meeting of the new Biddeford Council — along with a new mayor — should give us a good preview and set the tone for what we can expect from these 10 individuals over the next two years.
I have been through this before. Many times.
Former Ward Five Councilor Neva Gross, one of the councilors I am going to miss as a new administration begins.
I should be better prepared for the transition. In fact, Liam LaFountain is the sixth Biddeford mayor I have covered as a journalist.
I have seen lots of change over the last three decades: Five city managers, six mayors and more finance directors than you can count.
All kidding aside, I am optimistic about this new group, and I expect we’re going to see rigorous and thoughtful debate as this new council tackles a wide range of issues.
I really believe that we are at the beginning of a new era at Biddeford City Hall, but I will miss a few of the councilors who decided not to seek reelection this year.
In particular, I am going to miss former Ward Five Councilor Neva Gross – especially during the roll call at the beginning of each meeting.
During the roll call, each councilor answers the city’s clerk’s question. Councilor Belanger? “Here.”
Councilor Beaupre? “Here.”
Councilor Whiting? “Here.” And so on . . . with one notable exception: Councilor Gross would invariably set her own mark. Instead of saying “here,’ she would always respond: “Present.”
For the better part of two years, her response irked me. I thought she was just being a smartass, making a joke of the roll-call process.
Before we proceed any further, it should be noted that I consider Neva Gross to be a friend. She and her partner are expected to attend my family’s annual Christmas Chaos party.
Neva Gross poses for a picture with Mayor Grohman and other councilors moments after being sworn into office (Seaver photo)
Shortly after she was appointed to the council to fill a vacancy in 2024, Neva agreed to an interview with me.
In that interview – published in Saco Bay News – I described Neva as “somewhat reserved.” I told readers that she “listens intently to discussion, often sitting back with her chair leaning away from the council dais.”
So finally — just a few weeks ago – I got up the courage to ask Gross why she always bucked the roll call trend during council meetings.
She smiled. “It’s something that was literally drilled into me by my drill instructor during basic training,” she said.
“He expected more from us than just showing up,” Gross explained. “He demanded that we were ‘present.’ We were expected to know what was happening next to us, behind us and ahead of us. We were expected to be aware, ready to take action and constantly examining the landscape.
“Simply being here was never good enough for him. I always wanted to be present during council meetings.”
I suspect that Neva will still be present in Biddeford, even though she is no longer a city councilor. Maybe we should all be present instead of just being here.
Regardless, I am going to miss Neva’s smile and her thoughtful approach to governance.
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
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Tomorrow night – Dec. 9 – the new members of the Biddeford City Council will be getting some required “training” for their new roles in city government.
The city council workshop –– ostensibly open to the public, but why? — will feature four breakout sessions, including updates from City Manager Truc Dever, City Attorney Harry Center, City Clerk Robin Patterson and Executive Assistant Shelly MacNeill – the person who answers calls and schedules appointments for the mayor and city manager.
No, I am not making this up.
It’s probably safe to say that veteran councilor Marc Lesard will not be required to attend the Tuesday workshop meeting, given the fact that he’s been serving on the council since before Abraham Lincoln was shot, back in the days before Alan Casavant was Biddeford’s mayor.
(Photo from Wiki commons)
It remains unclear whether Councilors Patricia Boston and Brad Cote will need a refresher course in protocol, since they both previously served on the council – back when Barack Obama was president.
But newbie councilors Lisa Vadnais, David Kurtz, Jake Pierson and Abigail Woods will likely enjoy the various breakout training sessions, learning new skills such as how to control your gag reflexes during public meetings, the secret handshakes used during closed-door executive sessions and the limit of eyerolls that can be used whenever Richard Rhames approaches the podium.
But seriously, there are some protocols and procedures that city councilors must follow. So, it makes sense to learn the ground rules before you can actually start doing some serious damage to the city.
One thing blatantly missing from Tuesday’s training session: how to deal with the media.
A photo of downtown Biddeford taken shortly after Marc Lessard was first sworn into office as a city councilor. This is satire, feel free to smile.
The point Edmund Burke was trying to make back in the late 1700s was that the press held almost as much power and influence in policy as government officials, both elected and appointed.
But let’s turn the tables for a moment and examine first what our new councilors should expect from the media.
First and foremost, government officials should expect members of the media to be accurate. Secondly, responsible journalists should always be fair and strive for objectivity. Thirdly, journalists should treat government officials with respect and basic civility.
Now what does the media expect of government officials?
The top-three things? (in order) 1.) Honesty. 2.) Honesty and 3.) Honesty.
Seriously, always be honest, even if it means you’re not able to offer a comment because of state or local laws and ordinances. No one can fault you for following the law.
If a member of the press takes the time to call you, return the call. If you’re busy, ask the reporter if he or she is on a deadline. If you don’t know the answer to a reporter’s question, simply say, “I don’t know.”
Finally, on your way home from Tuesday night’s workshop meeting, maybe swing by Kohl’s and get yourself a pair of big boy pants.
You – despite logic and common-sense – signed up for public office, which means you are now fair game for public criticism. For your own sanity, you’re gonna have to learn how to let some stuff just roll of your backs.
Actually, Marc Lessard provides an excellent example of how to deal with media criticism: You just ignore it. Seriously. It’s not personal. It’s business.
No city official – past or present – (okay, maybe Joanne Twomey) has endured more media criticism and bloviating from me than Marc Lessard.
City Councilor Marc Lessard (official photo)
For nearly three decades, Marc and I have sparred on several issues. I have publicly called him to task on countless occasions and roundly scolded him in long-winded, poorly-written editorials for his positions, comments and actions.
“That’s billion with a B, boys.” (Inside joke probably only remembered by Lessard and Harry Center)
Nevertheless, Lessard always returns my calls promptly. He’s always ready to defend and explain his positions. He is invariably cordial and professional.
Make no mistake. Reporters – especially this one – can be a pain in the ass, but we could all learn a lot from Marc Lessard.
Now, is a zebra white with black stripes or black with white stripes?
Good luck, newbies! And thanks for stepping up to serve the city!
_________________________
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
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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.
I almost didn’t go to the meeting. I had a pretty bad headache, and Laura suggested that I could just stay home and watch the meeting online.
Nope, I said, reaching for my jacket. This would be the last meeting for this current group of city councilors.
It would also be the last council meeting for Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman.
The last regular meeting of the 2023-2025 Biddeford City Council (Seaver photo)
Tuesday’s council meeting was yet another significant moment in our city’s history. The transition process has begun. A new administration will take over the reins in less than two weeks, during the Dec. 2 inauguration ceremony at City Theater.
I am excited about the change, but I am also feeling some trepidation and even some sadness.
Over the last two years, this current council has become akin to a favorite chair that is a tad worn, a bit stained — but always a good fit and comfortably familiar.
Yes, it’s time for a new chair. But I am going to miss this one.
Waiting for the meeting to start, I began pondering all the ups and downs that this council and mayor have faced over the last two years.
There were some high points and some low points. There was anger and there was laughter. I suppose the same could be said for any governing body, but you simply cannot deny that this council was battle-tested during the last two years.
You simply cannot deny that this council was battle-tested during the last two years.
Change is an unavoidable part of life. We have to let go of the familiar in order to discover new opportunities. That is often easier said than done.
You say hello, and I say goodbye
The mayor seemed somewhat somber during Tuesday’s council meeting. He smiled and laughed during some of the meeting’s light-hearted moments, but you could almost feel his sadness.
And who could blame him? Marty put his heart and soul into the job. When he took over the reins two years ago, he was brimming with ideas and energy.
He was a fresh voice following a 12-year run by his predecessor and mentor, Alan Casavant.
Mayor Marty Grohman (right) chairs the final city council meeting of his term while mayor-elect Liam LaFountain (left) reviews an agenda item during Tuesday’s meeting
Marty pledged to hit the ground running. And he made good on that promise. So, naturally, it’s easy to understand why his loss for a second term stings – and will probably sting for a long time to come.
When Marty took over, he inherited some challenges that were not his fault. Former city manager James Bennett was acting like a petulant overlord at City Hall, and he would treat city councilors like a group of adolescents learning how to French kiss.
There were other challenges: a skyrocketing unhoused population, a finance department in chaos and the hemorrhaging of city staff.
Marty rolled up his sleeves and jumped immediately into the deep end of the pool. He never checked the water temperature or whether there were other swimmers in his path.
You have to go back more than 30 years to find another mayor who only served one term in office. Talk about a lonely-hearts club.
During a break of Tuesday’s council meeting, Mayor Marty Grohman invited the public and city councilors to join him for a ceremonial piece of cake to mark the last meeting of the 2023-2025 Biddeford City Council (Seaver photo)
The perfect storm
Two years ago, the city’s elections could easily be described as a “sleeper” affair. Only two city council seats were being contested. Every sitting councilor sought another term.
By contrast, this year’s elections saw contests in five of the seven ward council seats and a three-way contest for the two at-large council seats.
Moreover, Councilors William Emhiser, Scott Whiting and Neva Gross decided to step down this year. Councilors Norman Belanger and Liam LaFountain gave up their seats to run for the mayor’s chair.
There was some excitement in the air this year. Six political newcomers decided to run for council and three of them won their respective campaigns (Abigail Woods, David Kurtz and Jake Pierson).
This last election also broke records in voter turnout for off-year, municipal elections.
What was behind that groundswell of interest in Biddeford’s municipal affairs?
The short answer is: a lot.
But I think the real reason is a bit nuanced and somewhat complex. There is no denying that there has been a cloud of discontent hanging over Biddeford for almost two years.
There was some excitement in the air this year.
What’s the frequency, Kenneth?
Almost out of the gate, Marty and the current council were knocked on their heels by back-to-back resignations. Both former Ward Four Councilor Bobby Mills and then — two weeks later – former Ward Five Councilor Julian Schlaver resigned, both citing “personal reasons.”
Dyland Doughty won a special election to take over Mills’ vacated seat; and Neva Gross was appointed to serve the remainder of Schlaver’s term.
Only a few weeks ago, former at-large councilor Doris Ortiz announced her resignation because she was moving to a new home outside of the city.
Three resignations in one term? That seems like a record to me.
Two years ago, Councilor Liam LaFountain jockeyed to become council president, ousting Councilor Norm Belanger from that role in a 6-3 vote.
Affordable housing became the focus of the new administration.
Earlier this year, the council received a blistering report about its delayed financial audits from an outside accounting firm.
Wade Goldthwait addresses the city council during a citizens grievance meeting about the University of New England’s planned research pier
Former city manager James Bennett was finally ousted from his office and then filed a lawsuit against the city.
The city hired Truc Dever to become the new city manager.
A major sewer upgrade project along Elm Street drew the ire of residents and downtown business owners who were impacted by the seven-month construction project.
In the background – beyond the council’s purview – there was increasing tension and controversy brewing about a proposed pier that the University of New England hopes to build on the Saco River.
The city ramped up efforts to address the issues of homelessness, clearing out a large encampment near Mechanics Park.
Planning Board Member Roch Angers spoke at a city council meeting regarding his concerns about the UNE pier. The mayor then tried to have Angers removed from his position on the planning board.
Citizens circulated petitions and collected enough signatures to trigger a “citizens grievance” meeting about the UNE pier.
In July, residents saw one of the most heated and tense council meetings in recent memory, calling into question two major development projects on Pearl Street.
Of course, there were many other things that shaped this current council and Marty’s term as mayor but now it is time for us to turn and face the winds of change.
It’s time to recycle that old, comfortable recliner. Let’s see what the future brings.
________________
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
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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 feedback I received from several voters, speculating that Grohman shot himself in the foot on Sunday by penning a vitriolic op-ed column that leveled attacks against LaFountain.
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman
Grohman lost the election by only 210 votes. It was not a landslide election.
Yes, there are lots of reasons why LaFountain was able to defeat two older and more-seasoned candidates, but Grohman’s op-ed left a sour taste in the mouths of several voters.
Many voters told me yesterday that they are upset about skyrocketing property taxes, a lack of affordable housing and a sense of unchecked development.
Marty is not responsible for many of the things that motivated voter turnout, but he is the incumbent, and most people wanted change. Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of voters chose someone other than Marty to be the city’s next leader.
The analysis of yesterday’s election doesn’t matter much, but what does matter is the fact that Marty realized his mistake and says he will issue a “formal apology” tomorrow.
Grohman indicated that he will apologize in a comment he posted on my personal Facebook page.
“Let me use this thread to apologize to Liam,” Grohman wrote. “However you read the race, he ran an excellent, excellent campaign, extremely well run with a great team, and worked very, very hard.
“I will issue a more formal apology at Thursday’s Council meeting,” he added.
Grohman’s willingness to publicly own and acknowledge his mistake is an excellent example of leadership.
We all make mistakes. The first step in correcting those mistakes is to acknowledge and own them.
Marty is a smart, innovative thinker with lots of energy. I am not worried about his future.
The loss of Tuesday’s election will likely sting for a long time, but so will the never-ending list of opportunities for leadership and community service.
Thank you for your service, Marty. You are one of Biddeford’s loudest and most passionate champions. I hope you will continue to be involved in the community you love.
_____________
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
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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 and 15 terms in the Maine House of Representatives.
Duke followed in his father’s footsteps and served seven terms in the Maine Senate, including one term as senate president.
When Duke Dutremble talks, you listen.
Duke Dutremble and I seem to be channeling Marty Grohman’s insatiable need for selfies.
In 1994, Duke almost won a U.S. Congressional seat. Almost.
Duke lost his race against Republican James Longley, Jr. by less than two percentage points. Dutremble says that — more than 30 years later – the loss still stings.
During our lunch meeting, Dutremble shared his theory about why he lost that campaign. “I refused to go negative,” he said. “Most of my supporters and campaign staff were saying I needed to go after Longley because it was such a tight race. But I refused.”
Dutremble narrowly lost that election because his integrity and principles meant more to him than winning an election.
A new low for Biddeford?
Duke offered me some sage advice two months ago: Between now and Election Day, do not write any opinion pieces about the candidates, he advised.
Duke’s advice made good sense — right up until this morning when I received Mayor Marty Grohman’s guest column for the Gazette and then threw up a little in my mouth.
Two weeks ago, I notified the three mayoral candidates that they could each submit one column, outlining why they should be the city’s next mayor.
Both Belanger and LaFountain used the opportunity to underscore the principles of their campaigns and explain their positions on various issues.
Neither Belanger nor LaFountain made any comments about other candidates. But Marty used the bulk of his column to attack and vilify LaFountain and his supporters
“The gloves are off,” the mayor wrote. “Using tactics not seen in years, my opponent is making backroom deals with city councilors to guarantee them coveted committee assignments, in return for their support.”
Of course, Grohman shared no evidence to support his claims.
Marty Grohman:Biddeford’s most insecure mayor?
Grohman touched upon some of his accomplishments, but the bulk of his column was a rambling screed against LaFountain.
I have been watching Biddeford politics for 30 years. I have never seen a sitting mayor personally attack an opponent, relying on scare tactics and innuendo to make their point.
A promise broken
I apologize to Duke, but I cannot just sit by and silently watch the floundering and desperate mayor hurl personal insults.
Grohman’s column reveals and explains several things about his character and his approach to city politics in three simple steps.
Step One: Start off by being a victim, blaming others and absolving yourself of any responsibility.
“In Biddeford, the mayor doesn’t have a vote,” Grohman wrote. “The [city] council has all the power of passing legislation and budget expenditures.”
Step Two: After absolving yourself from any responsibility, brag about things that others have accomplished. Take credit for only the positive things happening in the city.
“It’s been a good two years,” Grohman writes, conveniently forgetting how much others have contributed to the city’s success. “We’ve gotten a lot done.”
Step Three: Attack your strongest opponents. Raise doubts about their character and commitment to the city. Accuse them of things with no evidence. Cast them as a boogeyman.
A used car salesman approach to politics
A common complaint about our mayor: “When you shake hands with Marty, you can almost see him looking over your shoulder to see if someone more important is in the room.”
Two weeks ago, Marty was ready to throw City Clerk Robin Patterson under the bus when he was asked why an agenda item about the UNE pier was not on the city council’s agenda.
He ignored the request made by Councilors Marc Lessard and LaFountain, and publicly said he “didn’t know about their request.” That is a lie. How do I know that? Because after I called him on it, he provided copies of the emails sent to him by Lessard and LaFountain several days prior.
He knew about it. He just didn’t want it on the agenda. When pressed, he backstepped and said the error happened because of a “busy city clerk.”
Forty-eight hours later, during a citizens meeting about the UNE pier, the mayor was handing out documents and saying he was not responsible for the removal of the harbormaster from the review process.
But the mayor sure changed his tune when confronted with a roomful of residents who were pissed about the harbormaster’s removal.
Grohman has done a pretty good job in being a cheerleader for the city, but he can never resist a photo op for himself. If there’s no one there to take his picture, he simply posts yet another selfie.
Sure, it’s good to support local businesses, but why do you have your picture in every post?
Last night, I witnessed a stunning difference between Marty Grohman and Liam LaFountain during a charity event for the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center.
Marty spent the evening gladhanding the crowd, pointing out that he is the mayor. LaFountain, on the other hand, remained at his own table with his wife and a few other people. He didn’t work the room. He was there – like most of us – to help a deserving charity.
Marty is always kissing babies and posing for flattering photos. He diligently avoids talking about difficult or challenging subjects.
He’s always looking for the easy way out, furtively scanning the horizon for the next vote or handshake. He is the consummate politician, and that is the problem.
Dutremble chose integrity over votes. It’s too bad Marty wasn’t at that lunch meeting. He could have learned something valuable; something about leadership and integrity.
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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
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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 run and why I believe I am the best suited person for the job. I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the City Council for the last nine years and have played an instrumental part in the city’s renaissance. Biddeford is a much better place than it was when I began my service in January of 2017.
Norman Belanger
However, in the last couple of years a few things have occurred which has spurred me on to enter the race. First, taxes have increased each year at a percentage rate that is simply not sustainable. During my first six years on the council, we managed to set priorities on our spending that kept tax increases within a manageable level that was at or below inflation. That has been lost of late.
I tried hard during the recent budget cycles to prioritize what we spend money on with the understanding that I’m spending other peoples’ hard-earned money.
Second, there has been an increased level of distrust in local government. Distrust in the council, the mayor and the staff. Collegiality and cooperation seems to be slipping away.
I have spent my entire legal and political career working to bring people together to try to find approaches and answers that create the best result by considering diverse opinions. Politics should not be a zero-sum game that I only win if you lose. Compromise is not only necessary; it generally results in the best solution. I want to work hard to make sure all stakeholders (the council, the mayor, staff, voters and local businesses) have a seat at the table and are able to be heard and participate in the process.
“Politics should not be a zero-sum game that I only win if you lose”
— Norman Belanger
There’s been much discussion in this race about the need for change. But that begs the question of what does change look like? We achieved much good change in the last decade, and we need to keep those ideas and action going and build upon them. Change can and should be additive. Inclusiveness and teamwork should be our goals. The city does not benefit from pitting the old against the new, the landlords against the tenants, or the businesses against the residents.
Real leadership builds bridges between competing interests and does not set them against each other. My entire time on the council, and frankly over my whole adult life, has been committed to such bridge building.
I want to continue to use those leadership skills as Biddeford’s mayor, if I’m fortunate enough to be elected.
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Mayor Marty Grohman touts his accomplishments, skewers his opponent
By MARTY GROHMAN,Special to the Gazette
In Biddeford, the mayor doesn’t have a vote. The Council has all the power of passing legislation and budget expenditures. The mayor, according to the City Charter, can only set the tone, act as a catalyst for change and progress and project a vision.
Still, it’s been a good two years. We’ve gotten a lot done. A new attitude of responsiveness and customer service in city hall. New businesses opening, new programs that are housing the homeless at more than one a week. But there’s a lot at stake.
I’m running against a young firebrand, who’s gotten a lot of endorsements, but voters need to know there is a cost to those endorsements.
I suspect many of you have wondered why vocal fiscal council conservatives would be supporting a candidate whose fiscal philosophy is from the far left.
Using tactics not seen in years, my opponent is making backroom deals with city councilors to guarantee them coveted committee assignments, in return for their support.
I have never played that political game and never will. I won’t put you on the Finance committee if you endorse me. I’ll put you on the Finance committee if you’re the best person for the job, and that’s it.
And if that kind of backroom dealmaking isn’t the opposite of “accountability” and “transparency”, I don’t know what is.
With me, what you see is what you get. No games. No secret deals. No demonization of investors and businesses. Just a deep caring for this community and a desire to make things better. While I am not perfect, I try my best and assist everyone that I can.
It’s disingenuous for my opponent, who is the Council President, to now claim that he’s pro-business, when he has relentlessly driven up the costs of business: like making it cost ten thousand bucks to hook up a sink.
Yes, the gloves are coming off. But I think it’s important that you know these things.
— Marty Grohman
He never took a risk and started a business. He has no idea how hard that is, how every chance you take puts your life savings on the line.And he attacks the people who invest in Biddeford, including developers trying to create affordable housing opportunities. He’s earned a statewide reputation as anti-development.
Importantly, the Council President presided over the biggest increases to the municipal services budget that the city has ever seen and increased fees, including for many permits and licenses. Though by Charter I could not vote on the budget, the $733,000 in cuts that I proposed, trying to be responsive to the concerns of taxpayers, instead were blocked by the Council President.
Of the three candidates running for mayor, the Council President is, by far, the most fiscally liberal. In this economy, I don’t think the city can afford his budgetary philosophy and excessive spending.
Yes, the gloves are coming off. But I think it’s important that you know these things. Portland-style policies like rent control will end Biddeford’s comeback. And if some of his endorsements sound like strange political bedfellows, now you know why.
So, if you want to go back to the days of empty storefronts and avoiding downtown, that’s what’s at stake in this election. Remember when you used to tell people you live ‘near Portland’ instead of now proudly saying, ‘I live in Biddeford’?
I don’t want to go back there either. I want to keep Biddeford growing, positive and a place that you’re proud of. A safe place for you to raise a family and build a career. Together we can make that happen. I ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 4.
Editor’s Note: All three mayoral candidates have been given the opportunity to submit their own guest column.
Liam LaFountain makes his case about why he should be the city’s next mayor
By LIAM LaFOUNTAIN,Special to the Gazette
Biddeford stands at a crossroads. The decisions we make this November will shape the direction of our city for years to come. We can continue down the same path or we can chart a new course grounded in accountability, transparency, and a genuine commitment to the public good.
Over the past several months, I have knocked on thousands of doors, hosted weekly meetings in every ward, and listened as residents shared their hopes, concerns, and ideas for Biddeford’s future. Across every neighborhood, I’ve heard a mix of pride and frustration: stories about neighbors who look out for one another, about teachers who go the extra mile, and about the growing challenges of housing costs, property taxes, public safety, and aging infrastructure.
LaFountain has been endorsed by a wide array of Biddeford residents and leaders
Through it all, one message has been clear: Biddeford residents want a city government that listens, plans ahead, and keeps the public interest at the center of every decision.
My vision for Biddeford is a city that grows with purpose: a place where people can afford to live, raise their families, and age with dignity. A city where progress does not leave residents behind. That begins with leadership rooted in accountability, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.
One message has been clear: Biddeford residents want a city government that listens, plans ahead and keeps the public interest at the center of every decision.
— Liam LaFountain
Accountability means making decisions grounded in evidence, not influence, with clear goals, transparent reporting, and follow-through when promises are made. Transparency means a City Hall where information is easy to find and residents are part of the process not afterthoughts to it. And data-driven leadership means using facts to guide investments in housing, infrastructure, and public safety, so that every dollar spent improves the quality of life for Biddeford residents.
This campaign has never been about one person. It has been about building a shared vision for Biddeford, one shaped by listening. In my four years representing Ward 7 on the City Council and two years as Council President, I have worked with tenants concerned about rising rents, business owners navigating complex city processes, and seniors on fixed incomes striving to remain in their homes. I have also listened to high school students and young families who see promise in Biddeford and want a city that invests in their future.
Those conversations, on doorsteps, in meetings, and across kitchen tables, have guided my approach to every issue. My goal is simple: to ensure the voices of Biddeford residents are reflected in our policies, ordinances, and budgets. The best ideas come from the people living them, and I believe the role of mayor is to turn those ideas into action with discipline, fairness, and transparency.
This Tuesday, November 4th, we have the opportunity to choose what kind of leadership we want for the years ahead. I believe Biddeford deserves leadership that is visible, steady, and grounded in service, a mayor who listens first, acts with integrity, and measures success by how well the city works for its residents.
That is the leadership I will bring to City Hall, and I would be honored to earn your support on Tuesday.
Accountability. Commitment. Transparency.
— Liam LaFountain
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Editor’s Note: The Biddeford Gazette offered all three of Biddeford’s mayoral candidates an opportunity to submit their own column.
The Biddeford Teachers Association’s decision to endorse two candidates while leaving Norman Belanger off its list may have been meant to project strength — but instead, it sends a mixed and disappointing message.
When an organization meant to represent fairness and unity appears to play politics, the credibility of its endorsement suffers.
Endorsements are supposed to mean something. They should signal confidence in a candidate’s record, character and commitment to the people they serve. By dividing its support and opening the door to statewide PAC money, the union risks turning what should be a local, values-based decision into a political transaction.
That’s not what Biddeford voters expect from their educators’ representatives.
“Endorsements are supposed to mean something.”
— Ben Neveux
Leaving Norman Belanger off the endorsement list doesn’t just look like a strategic move — it looks like a snub. Mr. Belanger has a long record of public service and deep roots in this community. To pretend that doesn’t matter undermines the idea that endorsements are earned through experience and trust.
This decision doesn’t strengthen the union’s influence — it weakens it.
Endorsements should lift up leaders who’ve proven their dedication to Biddeford, not serve as bargaining chips in a broader political game. The union owes its members, and this city, better judgment.
____________
Disclosure: Ben Neveux is a member of the Biddeford Gazette’s volunteer advisory board.
Happy? Not Happy? The Biddeford Gazette welcomes feedback from our readers, especially when it comes to different opinions and perspectives. For more information, about how to send a Letter to the Editor or Guest Column, please contact us.
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Next week is Election Day, but for many, including my wife, Jenn, and me, ballots have already been cast. This is because of Maine’s excellent voting laws, which allow voters to cast an absentee ballot as early as 30 days before Election Day.
This flexibility is a godsend for many of our neighbors, especially seniors, folks with disabilities and people whose jobs make it difficult to vote during the business week. All of these neighbors share with us the sacred constitutional rights and freedoms to vote and to have our votes counted in a fair election.
This year, in addition to the many seats up for election in Biddeford, Mainers are being asked to vote on two referendum questions, which can be found in detail here. In short, Question 1 limits citizens’ rights to request an absentee ballot, among other restrictive measures, and Question 2 allows concerned family or household members to petition the court to issue an extreme risk protection order that will temporarily remove dangerous weapons from an individual’s possession. These are important questions of public policy which I urge everyone reading this to consider carefully.
As someone who has professionally observed elections for 20 years, the mechanics of Maine’s elections are exceptionally well-run. Serving on the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee — which, among many other issues, oversees the Secretary of State’s Elections Division — I have learned a great deal about this topic, including how ballots are distributed to communities.
“This system works because it is thorough and fair“
— Rep. Marc Malon
Ballots are printed at a reputable Maine printshop in Augusta and are then sealed with security tape and clearly marked as ballots at the printer. From there they are marked additionally for tracking and chain of custody purposes. They are shipped directly, with tracking information, from the printer to Maine’s towns and cities using the U.S. Postal Service and UPS. Once they arrive at the municipality, the appropriate municipal official must sign for it. That official must then count the number of ballots received, confirm the number and submit a receipt directly to the Secretary of State’s Elections Division.
And that’s not all! Absentee ballot envelopes are printed separately at a different printer, and then sent — and tracked -– separately to towns across the state. This prevents them from being mixed up with ballots during shipment and provides extra security.
When a voter requests an absentee ballot, the clerk records the request, confirms the voter’s registration, marks the return envelope with the voter’s information and makes a record of sending the ballot to the voter. The absentee ballot must be returned in the envelope provided, then sealed and signed by the voter on the appropriate line. Upon return, the clerk will inspect the envelope and signature — and any affidavit and witness certification on the envelope — and determine whether the voter has returned the ballot appropriately. Then, they must mark whether the returned ballot was accepted or rejected.
“Your vote is yours, and it is sacred”
— Rep. Marc Malon
If there is an issue, the clerk is supposed to make a good-faith effort to contact the voter so that the voter may fix the issue if they are able. The envelope of an accepted ballot is not opened then, but rather stored securely until the time at which the town processes its absentee ballots — which can be no more than seven days before election day. Additionally, there is the added safeguard that all citizens who reside in Maine and wish to register to vote must provide ID and proof of residency upon registration.
This system works because it is thorough and fair. It has appropriate checks, balances and safeguards to ensure that when something goes wrong, election integrity is not compromised. And it ensures that every eligible Mainer is able to cast their vote and have it counted.
The safeguards and procedures behind how our elections are administered are essential to a free and fair democracy. In my committee, politicians sometimes introduce unnecessary bills to restrict voting rights or cause problems in the mechanics of our elections. Sometimes these politicians tell dishonest stories about election integrity or deny the legitimate results of elections, like Donald Trump did in 2020. Then they say we should pass restrictive measures because voters “have concerns.”
To me, the best way to alleviate voters’ concerns about our elections is to tell the truth about them. So when you see a proposal containing a mess of restrictions on voting, it is important to ask “why,” “is this really necessary,” and “is this information true and accurate?”
Your vote is yours, and it is sacred. The truth about Maine’s elections is that they are safe and secure, and they are set up so that you can exercise a freedom that generations of Americans fought for.
Happy voting.
Happy? Not Happy? The Biddeford Gazette welcomes feedback from our readers, especially when it comes to different opinions and perspectives. For more information, about how to send a Letter to the Editor or Guest Column, please contact us.
_______________
Rep. Marc Malon is serving his second term in the Maine House, representing a portion of Biddeford. He serves as a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and the Housing and Economic Development Committee. He can be reached via email at marc.malon@legislature.maine.gov.
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We’re coming into the final stretch, and we’re now less than one week away from Biddeford’s municipal elections on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
This is a busy time of year for journalists and for city clerks around the state. The work-load drops considerably on Wednesday, Nov. 5. That day – the day after the elections are over – is actually a holiday. And according to Maine state law, city clerks in each community are required to take local reporters out to lunch and pick up the tab.
A small collection of campaign signs near the intersection of Rte. 9 and Fortunes Rocks Road
On a more serious note, this is the time when people start asking my predictions about the outcome. In Biddeford, I have developed a reputation as the go-to-guy when it comes to local politics.
I know nothing about elections in Saco, Old Orchard Beach or Kennebunk. My “expertise” is rather limited, but I can chat Biddeford politics all day long.
This is the first election for the Biddeford Gazette, a media project I launched in January.
I have tried to be thorough, fair and accurate in all my coverage. I have written candidate profiles on each of the 28 candidates running for office (mayor, city council and school committee)
We have also done in-depth reporting about the local bond issues and thanks to our media partners at The Maine Monitor you can find a balanced analysis of the two state referendum questions.
I also took the initiative to organize the one and only debate featuring the three mayoral candidates, reaching out to my colleagues at Saco Bay News and the Press Herald to join me as panelists. We solicited our questions from the community and we had a great moderator, Craig Pendleton.
This will be my 15th Biddeford election. I started in 1997, and I have been fascinated by this city’s politics since.
Biddeford takes its elections seriously, and it can be a rough and tumble affair. You need to wear your big-boy pants if you’re going to tread in these waters.
I actually met my wife because she was running for office, and I made a mistake in my coverage of the Old Orchard Beach School Board race. (True story. Oct. 2001)
Laura started winning races after she married me and took my last name. (Also, a true story)
You can’t make predictions on just gut instinct or who has the most campaign signs posted at the Five Points intersection. You have to look at the data. Past performance is always a good indicator of future results.
You also have to consider other factors, including weather and various state referendum questions that will also be on the ballot.
According to extended weather forecasts, next Tuesday will be partly cloudy with a high of 53 degrees. The state referendum questions are rather benign and will not be big factors, unlike 2010 when Maine voters were asked to approve the Oxford Casino (Disclosure: I was a paid consultant on that referendum question)
You have to look at the data, past performance is a good indicator of future results
I decided this year to limit my data field to the last 10 years, beginning with the 2015 election.
Sadly, off-year municipal elections only draw about 30 percent of Biddeford’s registered voters to the polls. People in Biddeford love to complain about politics, but most of them can’t be bothered to vote.
So, let’s take a quick glance at past elections.
In 2015, there were 34 candidates on the ballot (mayor, council, school committee) and four local referendum questions. Alan Casavant was seeking a third, consecutive term and challenged by Daniel Parenteau. Turnout was 30.03 percent of registered voters, Casavant kicked ass, 2,494 – 1,437
In 2017, voter turnout was 30.93 percent with 22 candidates. Casavant faced only two write-in opponents and breezed to victory for a fourth term with 3,497 votes.
Laura (Seaver) was also reelected as an At-Large councilor, slightly trailing Marc Lessard, 2,989 – 2,902. More importantly School Committee candidate Lisa Vadnais garnered 3,041 votes (Pay attention here. There will be a test later).
In 2019, Things got interesting, Casavant was almost defeated for a fifth term by Jason Litalien who came in a close second (2,234 – 2,127). Turnout was 29.91 percent. Both Lessard (3,051) and Vadnais (2,971) topped the ballot.
In 2021, Casavant easily rolled over challenger Victoria Foley, 3,237 – 1,849. Voter turnout was 33.05 percent. Again, Lessard (3,403) and Vadnais (3,297) topped the ballot. Why the slight bump in turnout? Not sure. There was a statewide referendum about CMP’s transmission corridor project.
Finally, in 2023, Casavant decided not to seek a seventh term. City Councilor Marty Grohman defeated former State Senator Susan Deschambault, 2,894 – 2,223. Not a landslide, but certainly comfortable. Again, Vadnais (3,374) and Lessard (3,021) topped the ballots with the most votes per candidate.
My predictions for 2025
Yours truly showing off our work for Casavant in 2013.
This is a three-way race. Marty has the advantage of the incumbency, but he also has the disadvantage of being the incumbent. When voters are not happy, the incumbent hears about it.
In fairness, Marty can’t be held responsible for some things beyond his control, but his leadership has been called into question by two city councilors who work with him closely. His endorsements of council candidates this year, have actually been rejected by some of those candidates.
It’s a three-way race, and that’s Marty’s best hope going forward. Will Councilors Liam LaFountain and Norm Belanger split the “anti-Marty” vote. Sure, but by how much?
It all depends on how many supporters Belanger and LaFountain can get to the polls.
Bottom line? This race is too close to call, but I will make a prediction . . . on Tuesday night, one hour before the polls close. Most of my predictions will be posted on this site at the same time.
Sure, we all know Councilor Roger Beaupre is unopposed in Ward Three and newcomer David Kurtz is unopposed in Ward Five, but what about the other council races? Again, most of them are too close to call . . . except one.
Three candidates are vying for the two At-Large seats on the council: Marc Lessard, Nasreen A. Shekh-Yousef and Lisa Vadnais.
Past performance matters. Lessard and Vadnais will be the winners, and it will be somewhat interesting to see which one gets the most votes.
First, she did not do any diligent reconnaissance work. Although she is a board member at the Heart of Biddeford, she has not served on any municipal boards or committees. She has lived in Biddeford less than four years. Her name recognition before taking out nomination papers was virtually nil, and it hasn’t improved much since.
Secondly, in my opinion, she bit off more than she could chew by seeking an at-large seat right out of the gate. Yes, it can be done. Doris Ortiz proved that, but not if you’re going up against two of the city’s heaviest hitters.
Had Sheikh-Yousef run for Ward Five City Council, I firmly believe she would have had a fair shot at winning, depending on the other candidates.
Although she did not hire me, I will offer her a bit of free advice:
Keep doing what you’re doing. After election day, continue to find other ways to be an engaged citizen. Biddeford could benefit from your perspective. Stay involved and be a part of the city’s continuing conversation.
And to all the candidates, thank you so much for stepping up to serve your community. You are working really hard to get a job that pays less than $100 a month and will take up several hours of your time.
You are willing to share your address and take criticism for almost every thing you do. You will be required to sit through mind-numbing presentations and smile for photo-ops.
I don’t know why you do it, but thank you.
I will be providing all-day coverage on Election Day with regular social media updates.
On Wednesday, I am going to sleep-in and enjoy the lunch that Robin Patterson is buying for me.
P.S.Campaign signs by the side of the road mean nothing. Campaign signs on peoples’ lawns mean everything.
Happy? Not Happy? The Biddeford Gazette welcomes feedback from our readers, especially when it comes to different opinions and perspectives. For more information, about how to send a Letter to the Editor or Guest Column, please contact us.
_____________________
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
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When it comes to former city manager James Bennett, Mayor Marty Grohman is correct. The city needs closure from a nightmare that has been hanging over City Hall for several years.
After finally being “placed on administrative leave” in February, Bennet filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city.
Though the city countered Bennett’s claims in their filed response, ongoing litigation would have could have cost the city more than $200,000.
As part of the court-ordered mediation, the city agreed to a settlement of $90,000, which will be paid by the city’s insurance carrier.
Although it is not a direct cost falling onto the taxpayers, it’s quite possible that the city will see a modest increase in its annual premiums, but those potential increases will not come close to $90,000.
From a financial point of a view, the city made the logical decision.
The Bennett saga, however, should be learning lesson for the city. We should never again allow an employee to write their own contract.
Bennett was hired in 2015, long before Grohman joined the city council. Most of the current city council were not on the council in 2015.
But here is the good news for Biddeford.
Truc Dever, Biddeford’s new city manager, is a breath of fresh air. She is the exact opposite of Bennett. She is curious and she listens. She is friendly and transparent. She does not run rough-shod over the council. She is accountable and ready to lead. She is a coach, not a bully.
I swear to God, you can almost literally feel the difference when you walk into City Hall today.
Sadly, Dever, Grohman and many others are still cleaning up the mess that Bennett left behind more than eight months ago.
Hopefully, we all learned a lesson from this. Now it’s time for the healing to begin.
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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
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Our board offered us tons of valuable feedback, suggestions and ideas about the next steps on our continuing journey.
The conversation was heartfelt and candid, including some constructive criticism regarding design, access and editorial roles.
As we digest the valuable content of tonight’s meeting, we want to hear from our readers. What do you think we’re doing well, and where do we need to improve? Just drop us a line:
The Biddeford Gazette was built to be a community-driven media resource; a resource that offers original, reliable and professional content.
Anyone can simply “cut and paste” the work done by others, but we put our name and reputation behind everything we publish. Every story includes a byline. Our readers enjoy transparency.
We believe you deserve more than regurgitated press releases.
We believe you deserve straightforward, balanced and honest reporting.
When you turn to the Gazette for local news, you know what you’re getting: a trusted news source developed by professional journalists.
“We believe you deserve more than regurgitated press releases. We believe you deserve straightforward, balanced and honest reporting.”
Our editorial roots in Biddeford go back decades, and we stand behind every story we write with our trademark name and reputation for hard-hitting news coverage.
We are looking for your input and participation. We are accepting Letters to the Editor, Community News announcements and local events.
We invite you to join our talented team with your own stories and perspectives. We value your feedback and always welcome suggestions and new ideas.
The Biddeford Gazette is NOT a business; it is a resource for Biddeford residents and all those connected to this great city.
I’m already looking forward to the next Advisory Board meeting!
Thank you for all the support!
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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
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Do you know anyone currently suffering from polio?
My guess is you probably don’t. But polio has existed throughout recorded human history, and the worst outbreak in the United States killed more than 3,000 people in 1952. It left countless others with lifelong health consequences.
Photo credit: South Dakota Department of Health
Finally, after years of research, Dr. Jonas Salk was able to develop the first effective polio vaccine. By 1961, only 161 cases in the U.S. remained. Salk was committed to ensuring that the vaccine was available to all, famously saying, “There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?”
Life-saving vaccines have helped to all but eradicate some of the most dangerous diseases that affect humans. Now this progress, and the decades-long progress made against diseases like polio, measles and mumps is in serious peril due to recent actions from the federal government.
Unfortunately, alongside the successful track record of vaccines, the anti-vaccine industry has sprouted up and flourished in recent years as a result of misinformation shared widely online. The unscientific views of anti-vaccine advocates gained an even stronger foothold due to the significant social disruption of the pandemic and the corrosive effect of social media. What was once an overwhelming bipartisan and nonpartisan societal agreement that vaccines are a good thing has sadly become polarized.
Alongside the successful track record of vaccines, the anti-vaccine industry has sprouted up and flourished in recent years as a result of misinformation shared widely online.
And the groups that push these beliefs are profiting from their lies. In 2023, the Informed Consent Action Network, an anti-vaccine group run by Del Bigtree, who is an ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., reported $23 million in revenue. Kennedy’s own organization, Children’s Health Defense, has also raked in millions through the years. They push lies blaming vaccines for autism and various other maladies, use it to sell products and propaganda, and get rich off vulnerable people getting sick.
This is why it is so distressing to witness Kennedy’s actions to gut the federal CDC and to stack vaccine advisory boards with anti-science skeptics, which will make it more difficult to effectively investigate rare but real cases of vaccine injury, and stifle necessary research and development. Right now, the federal CDC is attempting to restrict access to the COVID-19 vaccine for folks 65 and older and for younger people who have preexisting medical conditions, in contradiction to the fact-based guidance of experienced medical professionals.
So, what are we doing about it in Maine? Thankfully, we have strong vaccine protections in place. Certain vaccines are mandatory for children to attend Maine schools, with exemptions only allowed for medical reasons. This helps preserve the herd immunity necessary to prevent the spread of life-threatening diseases. The weakening of standards in other parts of the country like Florida is still alarming. But that gives us more reasons to do everything we can to protect ourselves and our communities.
Rep. Marc Malon says Maine is leading the way in ensuring public access for vaccinations
For the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, the Mills Administration has issued a standing order to ensure that every Mainer who wants a vaccine can get one. The standing order essentially serves as a prescription for all Maine people, and it will allow them to get the shot at local pharmacies, clinics and health care offices.
It also requires state-regulated health insurance carriers, including those with MaineCare, to provide full coverage of the cost of the vaccine. The shot is recommended for all children from ages six months to 23 months, all individuals ages 18 and older, and children two to 18 years old based on risk factors – check with your children’s medical provider. If you want a vaccine, you should be able to receive your COVID-19 booster at your local pharmacy. I encourage folks to do so. I did it this week.
Vaccine opponents like to paint the decision to vaccinate as purely a personal choice. The problem is that these personal decisions can impact other families and broader communities. The miracle of vaccination is a miracle of community, and when communities need action, our history shows us that we take it because we care about not only our families, but those around us.
So, let’s band together once again, roll up our sleeves, literally, and not take for granted the hard work, sacrifices and medical advancements that have actually made America healthier for decades.
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Rep. Marc Malon is serving his second term in the Maine House, representing a portion of Biddeford. He serves as a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and the Housing and Economic Development Committee. He can be reached via email at marc.malon@legislature.maine.gov.
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 