Today, July 24, is the first day that political hopefuls in Biddeford can take out nomination forms in order to have their names on the November 4 ballot. Every local office is up for grabs: mayor, city council, school committee and ward clerks. I have been covering Biddeford politics for 30 years, and I always … Continue reading OPINION: Opening Day; Let’s Play!
Category: OPINION
Letters to the Editor, Guest Columns, Editorials and more . . .
OPINION: A missed opportunity for leadership
According to his Facebook campaign page, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman is “feeling frustrated” about being called out for not disclosing some relevant campaign donations made to his mayoral campaign nearly two years ago. Apparently, Marty still doesn’t get why I mentioned his failure to disclose those donations in my story about a large-scale development that … Continue reading OPINION: A missed opportunity for leadership
OPINION: Step forward and be heard
We are now officially in the middle of summer but the next municipal election in Biddeford will be here before you know it. In fact, nomination papers for this year's election will be available in about 60 days. If you live in Biddeford and ever thought about ways that you could make a difference in … Continue reading OPINION: Step forward and be heard
OPINION: What do I want? How about some tax relief?
They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results. That’s how I felt on Tuesday evening, sitting in the back row and watching the second and final public hearing on Biddeford’s proposed budget for the upcoming year. In fact, Tuesday’s meeting was almost a carbon … Continue reading OPINION: What do I want? How about some tax relief?
OPINION: What is community? How much does it cost?
Former Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant -- now the vice president of the non-profit Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center -- appeared before the Biddeford City Council Thursday to present his organization's annual funding request. Before the meeting started, Casavant was seated next to me in the back row of the council chamber. We made some small … Continue reading OPINION: What is community? How much does it cost?
OPINION | The Times, They Are A Changin’
The news was inevitable, but still sad. We learned yesterday that the weekly Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier will no longer be printed and now accessible only in digital form, online. This is just part of a global trend in the newspaper industry. Let’s face facts. The cost of printing and distribution are significant. But while technology marches … Continue reading OPINION | The Times, They Are A Changin’
Political gamesmanship threatens vulnerable Mainers
By HENRY INGWERSEN, State senator The last time I wrote to you, I spoke about the importance of MaineCare, our state’s version of the Medicaid program. MaineCare provides health care to low-income families and children, people with disabilities and pregnant women, and is overwhelmingly supported by Maine people. I also wrote about how Maine faces … Continue reading Political gamesmanship threatens vulnerable Mainers
Biddeford Deserves Better | OPINION
I honestly don't get it. Six days ago, I broke and published a news story that Biddeford City Manager James Bennett was abruptly removed from his post. Bennett, well-known in several communities throughout Maine, capped off his nine-year stint in Biddeford under a cloud of mystery. Six days ago. I understand why the city is … Continue reading Biddeford Deserves Better | OPINION
OPINION: Some notable changes in local media outlets
(Originally published on the Lessons In Mediocrity site) There’s no denying it. This is not your father’s news industry anymore. That’s good news, but it’s also very bad news. I’m writing this because there were three significant local changes in the news industry that happened in just the last two weeks. More about that in … Continue reading OPINION: Some notable changes in local media outlets
FEATURE: McArthur Library partners to help fight cancer with special event
By JEFF CABRAL Special to the Gazette This is a story where community crosses all kinds of lines and partnerships are formed to benefit the greater good; a story that could only take place in New England, which often feels like a small town itself. Biddeford resident Jessica Johnson has been continuing her mother Dorothy's … Continue reading FEATURE: McArthur Library partners to help fight cancer with special event
OPINION: Biddeford’s Homeless: A volunteer’s perspective
By Tom McPheeters Special to the Biddeford Gazette I usually arrive for my shift at the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center a little before 9 a.m. to get coffee going, but on this Monday, I am also delivering a large pan of American Chop Suey. Since I am not a native Mainer, I have no … Continue reading OPINION: Biddeford’s Homeless: A volunteer’s perspective
Hello, Goodbye
Dear readers, Once again, I have some good news and some bad news. Let’s start with the good news. Roughly 24 hours ago, Laura told me it was time for me to get a bit more serious about the Biddeford Gazette, an online multi-media news source focused on the city of Biddeford. Instead of trying … Continue reading Hello, Goodbye
OPINION: World Leader Pretend
Our current city manager, Jim Bennett, announced his resignation in October. His last day on the job will be April 26, 2025. Roughly 1-1/2 years before the expiration of his current contract.
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 