Category: UPDATES

‘You can spread the blame like peanut butter’

~ Randy Seaver ~ 3 Comments

City Councilor Marc Lessard falls on his own sword by saying he is partly responsible for some of the city’s ongoing financial problems

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Tuesday’s meeting of the Biddeford City Council’s Finance Committee made one fact abundantly clear.

The city is still struggling to clean up the damage done over the last few years by a Finance Department that was beleaguered by rapid staff turnover and minimal supervision from city leaders.

“You can spread the blame around like peanut butter,” said City Councilor Marc Lessard during a telephone interview with the Gazette on Wednesday.

“But you know what?” Lessard stated. “I’m partly responsible for the problem.”

Council President Roger Beaupre and Mayor Liam LaFountain discuss the city’s finances during Tuesday’s Finance Committee meeting about upcoming sewer work. (Seaver photo)

The city’s ongoing financial problems were raised again Tuesday evening when Finance Committee members took up the subject of how to pay for another state-mandated sewer update project.

The city is currently trying to catch-up on several of its long overdue financial audits. The city is now working to finalize the FY 2024 audit, now more than two years overdue.

The problem impacts the city in numerous ways, most notably preventing city departments from accessing bond funds that were approved by voters.

In November, voters approved a $20 million bond to complete long overdue sewer updates that are mandated by the state of Maine.

Last year’s major project on Elm Street was paid for from money in the city’s general fund versus an account that is replenished by sewer fee revenues.

That situation put Public Works Director Jeff Demers in an uncomfortable position. When he asked the former city manager about the lack of funds for the project, he was told to move forward and that funding for the project would come from another line item in the budget.

“I did what I was told,” Demers told the committee. “I took my marching orders, but I’ve lost sleep over it.”

Lessard – a member of the committee — asked how that decision to move funds around impacted other parts of the city’s budget.

“If we took $4.1 million from one part of the budget – roughly 5 percent of our budget – what item or work didn’t get funded?” Lessard asked.

City Manager Truc Dever said city staff is working overtime to sort out numerous issues that took place over the past few years, in addition to performing all of their current day-to-day responsibilities.

Although Mayor Liam LaFountain rang alarm bells about the situation, describing it as a “DEFCON 1 financial scenario,” he also offered at least one point for optimism during a follow-up conversation with the Gazette on Wednesday.

“We are doing everything possible to regain public trust and confidence in City Hall,” LaFountain said. “It’s nearly impossible to fix everything that took place over several years in just a few months.”

More importantly, LaFountain noted that the conversation – although difficult and somewhat concerning – took place in a public meeting with cameras rolling and members of the press in the room as opposed to “a couple guys meeting in an office behind closed doors.

LaFountain was able to oust former Mayor Marty Grohman in November by using a campaign pledge to bring “accountability and transparency” back to City Hall.

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“It’s nearly impossible to fix

all of these problems

in just a few months.”

— Mayor Liam LaFountain

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“It may not seem like it on the surface, but we are moving in the right direction,” LaFountain said. “It’s frustrating, but we now have the right people in place to help us in our overall course correction.”

Lessard said he was also feeling frustrated.

“There’s plenty of blame to go around,” he said. “And frankly part of that responsibility lies at my feet.”

Lessard – a veteran member of the council – said that, in retrospect, he should have pushed harder for accountability and transparency.

“There were many times when we allowed the former city manager and others to skirt, delay or obfuscate the issues,” he said. “That should not have happened, and I have to accept my own share of responsibility for that, even though that’s not what most politicians do.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE |A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

Our editorial standards and policies: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Biddeford’s skatepark: ‘It’s a matter of trust’

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

During Tuesday’s city council meeting, several residents used the words “community engagement,” during a public hearing about how the city should prioritize funding of its neglected recreational assets.

Several of those who testified before the council pointed to the principles and importance of community engagement, arguing that the council should prioritize projects that have received the most public feedback — most notably support for repairing or replacing the city’s former skate park that was located on outer Main Street as part of Rotary Park.

Tuesday’s public hearing was only the city’s latest effort to again seek public input and feedback about the city’s recreational facilities, and which projects should be a priority.

In November, voters approved a $6 million bond that is designated for upgrades and repairs to more than a dozen of the city’s recreational assets, including parks, playgrounds and infrastructure.

Anne Thompson of Biddeford tells the city council that the skatepark was a vital community resource, especially for at-risk youth who may not participate in more structured recreational activities (Seaver Photo)

The city recently released an online survey that asked residents to rank the projects that are the most important to them.

Over the next few weeks, city councilors from each of the city’s seven voting wards will be hosting individual ward meetings to solicit resident feedback about the recreation bond and other community issues.

Several people packed the council chambers Tuesday but most left quickly after the recreation public hearing.  

Despite several pleas and noting the importance of public engagement, there was absolutely no community engagement or public comment during a second public hearing regarding the use of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Kids got a ‘raw deal’ from the city

The former skate park received broad public support from a diverse and vocal group of city residents.

Several residents said the city “took away” the skate park, a popular social gathering spot for younger residents.

City officials, however, maintain that the park was closed because of “safety and liability” concerns created by cracked and crumbling concrete skating pads.

Steven Gudschinsky of Biddeford told the council that the city should have been maintaining the skatepark as opposed to letting it fall into disrepair (Seaver photo)

Several residents balked at the city’s rationale for closing the park, arguing the city has a responsibility to repair and maintain all of its public infrastructure, including the skatepark.

“We now have an opportunity to heal an old wound,” said resident Holly Culloton during her remarks in support of the skatepark.

Other residents were equally as passionate, saying the city should embrace “atonement” for its decision to close the park nearly two years ago.

Anne Thompson, an older resident, told the council that the skatepark was a vital community asset and a resource for “at-risk kids” who may not participate in more structured school sports programs.

Steven Gudschinsky of Biddeford didn’t mince his words.

“The kids and the voters got a raw deal,” he said. “That park should have been maintained all along”

Why was previous public input ignored?

Biddeford resident Samanntha Lance and her wife, former city councilor Neva Lance, drew rousing applause from the audience when they offered their comments to the council from the podium.

Former city councilor Neva Lance watches as Samanntha Lance tells the council that they are duty-bound to honor a commitment the city made more than two years ago about the former skatepark. This is a matter of trust, she said. (Seaver photo)

Samanntha Lance reminded the newer members of the council that her wife attended a previous public meeting about the skate park that was also attended by former mayor Marty Grohman and current mayor Liam LaFountain – before the skate park was closed for public use.

Lance told the council that a “large number of parents and young people” also attended that event.

“That meeting was not casual conversation,” Lance told the council. “It was a serious discussion. Families and kids showed up. They spoke about what the skate park meant to them. They shared concerns, ideas, and hopes for its future. Their input was documented. And the three sitting city officials present — including my wife — gave their word that their concerns would not be ignored and that the skate park was not gone forever.”

Lance said those words seemed to fall on deaf ears, despite continued robust community input during subsequent city meetings.

“The city later told those same families that funding was not available,” Lance told the council. “Residents were encouraged to pursue fundraising efforts — GoFundMe campaigns and other community-driven solutions — if they wanted to see the project rebuilt.”

Lance said the skate park should not have to compete among the city’s other recreational assets because the public already spoke out overwhelmingly in support of the skate park.

“The public showed up in numbers we have not seen for any other recreation issue in the past year. The community has already spoken,” Lance said.

“In a time when trust in government is fragile, keeping your word matters. When public officials give their word to families and children, that promise should stand — especially when the funding now exists.”

“This is about more than concrete and ramps,” Lance added. “It is about trust. It is about accountability. And it is about showing this community — especially its young people — that when they show up and speak, their government listens.”

CORRECTION: An earlier version of the story incorrectly listed Samanntha Vance as Samantha Vance. It has been corrected. We apologize for the error.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

Our editorial standards and policies: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Angers considers run for county commission

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

A longtime fixture at City Hall, Roch Angers tells the Gazette he wants to follow in Richard Dutremble’s footsteps at the county level

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Roch Angers – a longtime former Biddeford city councilor and a current planning board member – told the Gazette Sunday that he is seriously considering a run for the District Two seat on the York County Board of Commissioners.

The county’s District Two seat is being vacated this year by Richard Dutremble of Biddeford who announced in January that he will not seek reelection after 20 years of service on the board.

Last week, former Biddeford City Councilor Doris Ortiz formally announced that she is hoping to replace Dutremble as the county commissioner representing Biddeford.

RELATED: Ortiz announces run for York County Commission

Angers, 73, is a well-known politician in the city of Biddeford. For many years, his family ran a small grocery store on South Street. He attended St. Louis High School and then graduated from Biddeford High School in 1971.

Angers has been a fixture at City Hall for more than three decades. His brother Luc was Biddeford’s city clerk in the 1980s.

Former Biddeford City Councilor Roch Angers (Contributed photo)

Roch Angers has served on the Biddeford City Council under four different mayors, including Lucien “Babe” Dutremble, Roger Normand, Donna Dion and Alan Casavant.

“I guess you could say that I have been around for quite a while,” he laughed during a telephone interview. “I still enjoy public service.”

Angers, a self-described moderate and fiscal conservative, said he wants to follow in Dutremble’s footsteps.

“I think he [Dutremble] is an outstanding commissioner,” Angers said. “When I learned he was stepping down, I picked up the phone and begged him to stay in the seat.”

Angers has served nearly a decade on the Biddeford Planning Board, and he became the center of controversy last year when he personally appeared before the Biddeford City Council to express his concerns about a controversial research pier being proposed by the University of New England.

In August – only days before the planning board narrowly voted 3-2 to approve the project — Angers told the council he was troubled by the review process.

“Something about this seems fishy,” Angers told the council. He was one of two planning board members who later voted against the proposal.

RELATED: Planning board member tells council UNE plan seems fishy

Planning Board member Roch Angers shares his concerns about UNE’s controversial plan to build a research pier on the Saco River during an August 5, 2025 council meeting. “Something about this feels fishy,” he said. (Seaver photo)

Former Mayor Marty Grohman was incensed by Angers’ move to speak publicly about the project while also serving as a member of the planning board.

Grohman later attempted to remove Angers from the planning board but got almost no support for that effort from the city council.

When Grohman brought the issue forward, the council remained silent and stone-faced. No one would second a motion offered by former Ward One City Councilor William Emhiser.

After several seconds of silence from the other eight councilors, City Attorney Harry Center advised the mayor that the issue was dead on arrival.

Grohman later told the Gazette that he would continue his efforts to remove Angers from the planning board. That never happened.

Today, Angers is enjoying his retirement after working many years in various management positions for Shaw’s supermarkets across Maine.

“I think I have something to offer,” Angers said, pointing out that he is concerned about the growing county budget and its impact on Biddeford and the city’s neighboring communities of Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

Angers said he hopes to make a final decision about running in the next few days. He said he has been calling several people throughout the community.

“Many people have told me that they would support me,” Angers said. “I am honored and truly appreciative of that support, but I want to make sure that I dot my I’s and cross my T’s,” he laughed.

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CORRECTION: This story contained an error, stating that Angers retired as a butcher from the Shaw’s supermarket in Saco. In fact, Angers retired from Shaw’s after many years of working in various management positions for Shaw’s supermarkets across the state. We have corrected the story, and apologize for the error.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE |A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

Our editorial standards and policies: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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State senate race heats up in Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

This year’s District 32 State Senate race could become a crowded affair.

So far, three candidates have announced their intentions to seek the senate seat that represents Biddeford, Arundel, Dayton, Lyman and Hollis in the Maine Legislature.

The Gazette learned this week that there is a possibility more candidates may be coming forward in the near future for that seat.

The declared candidates now include incumbent Democrat Henry Ingwersen of Arundel; Republican newcomer John Salamone of Hollis; and Independent Jason Litalien, an unenrolled attorney from Biddeford.

Ingwersen
Litalien
Salamone

We spoke recently with Ingwersen and Litalien, but Salamone was unavailable for an interview at press time, saying he would contact us in the near future.

Ingwersen, a retired public-school teacher and a beekeeper, is now serving his second consecutive term in the senate. He is senate chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and also serves on the on the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.

He previously served one term in the Maine House of Representatives from 2018 to 2020, saying he got into politics because of his “frustration” with President Donald Trump, a brash and outspoken Republican.

Ingwersen, 75, says he hopes to win a third term in the senate in order to continue working on issues that matter to his constituents.

“I’m running to continue the work that I’ve always done to build a stronger, more affordable and caring Maine that brings our communities together,” Ingwersen said. “Now, in these impossible times, I feel more strongly than ever before that I am called to support affordable, accessible health care for all, fight for funding for affordable child care for Maine families, take on food insecurity by supporting universal free school meals, and much more.”

He said he enjoys listening to my constituents, and helping them when he is able. “It is what I do, and will keep doing.” Ingwersen said.

Litalien, 50, told the Gazette that he places a strong value on community service.

“Ever since I was a little boy, I have wanted to serve the public,” he said. “Right now, the political climate is so toxic, and that’s why I’m running as an independent candidate. We have to stop pointing fingers at each other and focus on meeting the needs of Maine people.”

Litalien, a veteran who served in the United States Air Force, made his name well-known in the city by running a very strong challenge against former Mayor Alan Casavant in 2019, losing that race by only 107 votes (2,234-2127).

Two years prior, Litalien ran against Casavant as a write-candidate and received only 78 votes.

In 2023, Litalien challenged and lost to former police chief Roger Beaupre for the Ward Three seat on the city council.

Litalien said his number one issue is public education.

“We need to take a serious look at why our students all across Maine are scoring below national averages,” he said.

But education is not Litalien’s only concern.

“It is an atrocity to see all the new taxes that our representatives are approving in Augusta,” Litalien said.

Litalien blames many of Maine’s problems on what he described as a fractured and dysfunctional two-party system.

“What matters to me is fixing the problem, not the color of your necktie,” he said. “Too many people are now blinded by party lines and party allegiance.”

Litalien said today’s publics school students are being taught what to think rather than how to think.

“We have some of the highest per-pupil costs in the country and some of the lowest student test scores,” he said. “That just doesn’t make sense to me.”

Both Ingwersen and Litalien are running as Clean Election candidates as opposed to traditionally funded campaigns.

“I don’t like owing anyone, and this way I am not beholden to anyone or any special interest,” Litalien said.

Ingwersen has previously described Maine’s Clean Elections program as “a valuable tool” that opens the doors to more candidates who might not otherwise be able to seek public office.  “It levels the playing field,” he said.

Ingwersen said he is proud of his accomplishments over the last four years in the senate, pointing to his commitment to fully funding MaineCare and sponsoring a bill to create a network of regional resource hubs to connect child care providers, employers, and families.

He also pointed to a bill he sponsored that would continue the Child Care Employment Award to help pay the child care tuition of those employed as child care professionals.

“I opposed proposed budget cuts to child care worker wage supplements, child care tuition coverage, and Head Start funding, making sure that they were put back into the budget,” Ingwersen said.

When it comes to Maine’s economy, Ingwersen said he worked hard to maintain the state’s commitment to cities and towns by keeping revenue sharing at five percent and funding 55 percent of K-12 education.

“Prior to 2018, revenue sharing was at two percent, and state funding for education was at 49 percent. We increased both of these things over the years and have embedded them in the budget,” Ingwersen said.

There’s a lot more that needs to be done to help the people of Maine, Ingwersen said.

Litalien said the Legislature needs to be “more creative” in addressing problems, and stop creating new taxes such as a recent new tax levied on streaming services such as Netflix.

“When it comes to Augusta, it’s just taxes, taxes and more taxes,” Litalien said. “It has to stop. It’s not sustainable for hard-working Maine families.”

For more information about Ingwersen’s campaign, you may visit his website, Henry for Senate.

For more information about Litalien’s campaign, you may visit his website, Jason for Maine

For more information about Salamone’s campaign, you may visit his website, Salamone for Senate.

This story will be updated as the campaigns continue and new information becomes available.

Correction: Prior to 2018, the state share local K-12 public schools was at 49 percent, not 55 percent which is today’s rate. It was a clerical error, and the story has been updated. We apologize for the mistake

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE |A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

Our editorial standards and policies: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Ortiz hopes to be a county commissioner

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

The former Biddeford city councilor said she is excited about the prospect of returning to public service

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Doris Ortiz had to give up her at-large seat on the Biddeford City Council last year when she and her partner decided to buy a home in the adjacent town of Arundel.

During an interview with the Gazette this week, Ortiz said she missed being able to help her neighbors as a local government representative.

Today, Ortiz is hoping that she can once again have a meaningful impact on her community and another chance to help her neighbors.

Ortiz, 58, has formally announced that she is seeking the District Two seat on the York County Commissioners board. That seat is currently held by Richard Dutremble of Biddeford, who is now serving as the commission’s chair.

Former Biddeford City Councilor Doris Ortiz says there are a lot of similarities between serving as a city councilor and as a county commissioner (Contributed photo)

In January, Dutremble announced that he would not seek reelection after 20 years of service on the commission.

RELATED: Dutremble will lead and then step down

District Two includes the communities of Arundel, Biddeford, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

Ortiz says there are a lot of similarities between serving as a city councilor and as a county commissioner. Both organizations address many of the same issues, from regional housing needs to infrastructure updates and improvements.

“I found serving on the city council to be very fulfilling,” Ortiz said. “It was a tremendous experience, and I learned a lot during my almost six years of being a city councilor.”

One of the things Ortiz learned was that county government has a big impact on the city of Biddeford.

“Whether you’re talking about the city’s share of the county’s budget or about shared resources, including emergency services and other things, what happens at the county level makes a big impact on the city of Biddeford and other communities.”

Because Biddeford is the largest municipality in York County, Ortiz says the city shoulders a lot of the burden for people who live just beyond the city’s borders.

“Biddeford is a service center community in York County,” Ortiz said. “As a result, the city gets a lot of traffic and growing demands for a variety of services.”

Those services include a regional hospital and state services, including the county’s combined district courthouse, the Department of Health and Human Services and a plethora of popular retail outlets.

The county, meanwhile, offers municipalities several services and facilities, including operations of the jail, a full-time sheriff’s department and support services for both emergency housing options and a regional food pantry.

Ortiz said she was intrigued by some of the things she has seen the county take on over the past few years.

“The new First Responders Training Center got me really excited,” Ortiz said. “It’s an excellent opportunity for collaboration between the city and the county, and will help municipalities as they struggle to find, hire and train emergency first responders.”

RELATED: York County government, college celebrate training partnership

But Ortiz says the biggest reason she’s running again is because it could be another opportunity to give back to her community.

“It’s really a central part of who I am and what drives me,” Ortiz said. “I know it may sound weird, but I actually enjoy digging into public policy and finding innovative ways to help people around me.”

Ortiz is employed by Bernstein Shur, a Portland-based law firm, where she has worked as a client service specialist for nearly 13 years.

Ortiz was first elected to the Biddeford City Council in 2019 and was then twice reelected for successive terms as one of the city’s two at-large representatives. 

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

You may view our editorial standards and policies here: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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BHS art students earn statewide recognition

~ Karen Garnett ~ Leave a comment

By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer

Two Biddeford High School students are being recognized for their award-winning artwork in the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at the Maine College of Art & Design in Portland next month.

Junior Brynn Wilkinson earned a Silver Key Award for her “Drawn by Light”, an 8-by-10 acrylic still-life painting, and Sophomore Shayleigh Kennedy earned an Honorable Mention for her “Chromatic Shades of Me”, an 18-by-24 portrait. 

The program honors the creativity of teens at both the regional and national levels through awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarship opportunities.

Biddeford High School Junior Brynn Wilkinson’s artwork, “Drawn by Light,” has been recognized with the Scholastic Art and Writing Silver Key Award for her acrylic still-life painting.

Open to students in grades 7–12, the competition invites submissions across 29 categories in art and writing. All entries are reviewed through a blind judging process by leading professionals in the visual and literary arts, ensuring that work is evaluated solely on its merit. Evaluators look for pieces that demonstrate originality, technical skill, and a developing personal voice or artistic vision.

“I’m incredibly proud of these students—not just for the quality of their work, but for the courage it takes to share their creativity beyond the classroom,” said Elizabeth Ames, Biddeford High School Art Teacher. “Year after year, students from the Biddeford art program earn recognition through this program, reflecting the depth of talent, dedication, and creative risk-taking across our classes.

Biddeford High School Sophomore Shayleigh Kennedy’s artwork, “Chromatic Shades of Me,” has been recognized with the Scholastic Art and Writing Honorable Mention Award for her portrait.

“Their pieces demonstrate strong technical skills and emerging artistic voices, and it’s been a joy to support them through the process. Attending the exhibit at Maine College of Art & Design later this month is a meaningful way to celebrate their achievements and show them that their work truly belongs in the broader artistic community.”

Both Wilkinson and Kennedy will be honored at an awards ceremony on March 14, 2026, and their award-winning artwork, along with other Maine student artwork, will be on display at the Maine College of Art & Design in Portland from 9:a.m. to 5 p.m. between February 20, 2026, and March 14, 2026. 

Biddeford High School encourages the arts through an extensive Fine Arts curriculum, which includes Foundations of Art, Drawing and Color, Painting, Advanced Studio Art, Ceramics, Music (Theory, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir), Band (Symphonic, Concert, Jazz, Percussion, Guitar), Theater (Dance, Choreography), and Video Production.

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Karen Garnett is Director of Communications for Biddeford, Saco and Dayton schools.

She can be reached at kgarnett@biddefordschools.me

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Bennett brings campaign to Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

In the very crowded race to become Maine’s next governor, former State Sen. Rick Bennett is hoping to stand out as an Independent candidate who is ready to tackle tough issues with a common-sense approach and a commitment to people rather than any political party.

Bennett, 62, brought his campaign to Biddeford on Saturday, at the height of the city’s annual WinterFest celebration.

Rick Bennett — one of five Independent candidates hoping to become Maine’s next governor — visited Biddeford and said the state’s leaders need to stop bickering and worrying about political affiliation. “The system is broken,” he said. “We need to focus on solutions.” (Seaver photo)

So far – according to the Maine Secretary of State’s office – there are seven declared Democratic candidates hoping to win the June primary and 10 Republicans running for their party’s nomination.

Bennett is one of five independents who are hoping to gain support and build a coalition from both sides of the political aisle.

Bennett is the most well-known of the five Independent candidates and leads that field in fundraising, raising nearly $530,000 for his campaign so far. His closest challenger, State Rep. Ed Crockett of Portland, has raised just shy of $10,000 for his campaign.

A former president of the Maine Senate, Bennett has a long history of public service that dates back to the early 1980s. As a teenager, he volunteered on various political campaigns and participated in the YMCA’s Model Legislature program, in which young people attend a three-day conference to learn about how the Legislature works and how ideas become state laws.

Bennett was elected to the Maine House of Representatives, representing the town of Norway in 1990 and was unopposed for a second term.

He didn’t wait long to jump onto the national scene. In 1994, he became the Republican nominee for Congress in Maine’s second district, narrowly losing the general election to John Baldacci, 46-41 percent with two other candidates in the race.

In 1996, Bennett was elected to the Maine State Senate where he later became senate president.

Described as a successful business innovator, Bennett served as chair of Maine’s Republican Party from 2013 to 2017.

Today, he says, Maine needs political leaders who are not focused on political affiliation.

His campaign website paints a picture of a man with a long history of reaching across the political aisle to achieve legislative goals in environmental leadership, consumer protection and campaign finance reform.

Bennett co-sponsored several laws targeting toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” and reforming Maine’s solid waste and recycling practices. He was an outspoken opponent of the “CMP Corridor” project and sought to end foreign ownership of Maine’s electric utilities. He also sponsored legislation to end “predatory practices” by payday lenders.

The candidate enjoys Winterfest

We met with Bennett and his wife, Karen, at the home of Biddeford resident Jason Briggs, a well-known community volunteer and local Republican leader.

While touring the Makers Market, Bennett couldn’t resist picking up some treats from Tabarek Alabbooti from Amira Cuisine in Biddeford. (Seaver photo)

Briggs described Bennett as “the real deal,” pointing out that they have known each other for nearly 40 years.

When asked why he is not running as a Republican, Bennett didn’t hesitate with his response. “Our government is broken, and political parties are a big part of the problem,” he said.

Bennett said partisan politics are becoming increasingly divisive in Maine, a rural state that is well-known for its hard-working, down-to-earth populace.

“Both parties have become very strident, focusing more on partisan bickering than the needs of Maine people,” Bennett said.

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“Our government is broken,

and political parties are

a big part of the problem.”

— Rick Bennett

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When asked what he believes are the top issues facing Maine residents, Bennett pointed to skyrocketing and “outrageous” energy costs, underperforming public schools and a statewide housing crisis.

“These are issues that need and deserve a collaborative approach,” Bennett said. “We’re a small state. We know each other and take care of our neighbors. We need to find a better way forward.”

Bennett – who shared the Maine Senate President’s office with Democrat Mike Michaud when the senate was briefly evenly split – said today too many legislators are afraid to pick up the phone and talk to their peers on the other side of the aisle.

“We cannot afford to see bipartisanship as a weakness,” Bennett said. “The people of Maine have real needs, and they deserve a better approach.”

Bennett received a warm response as he toured Biddeford’s downtown area during the WinterFest celebration.

He spoke briefly with both Mayor Liam LaFountain and City Councilor Jake Pierson, telling them “we’re all in this together” and that local leaders play an important role in Maine’s future.

Rick Bennett (right) shares a laugh with Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain during Saturday’s Winterfest celebration in downtown Biddeford. Both men agreed that city and state governments need to be “solutions-focused.” (Seaver photo)

Bennett said he was “blown away” by the revitalization of the city’s downtown area, including the business incubator concept being used in the city’s former textile mill buildings.

“What’s happening here is really exciting,” Bennett said while touring the Makers Market event in the former Pepperell Mill building.

But Bennett wasn’t the only gubernatorial candidate visiting Biddeford on Saturday. Democrat Dr. Nirav Shah was also touring the Pepperell Mill building on Saturday.

“I think we can both agree that this is a pretty awesome community event,” Bennett told Shah.

“You are absolutely correct about that,” Shah replied with a big smile.

If elected as governor, Bennett said one of his first moves will be to convene a weekly “Legislative Leadership” dinner meeting with legislative leaders from both parties.

“We need to break bread together, and work together to develop meaningful solutions,” Bennett said. “That’s what people want us to do. That’s the Maine tradition.”

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

You may view and learn more about our editorial standards and policies here:

Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

(c) 2026 All Rights Reserved; Biddeford Gazette, Inc.

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It’s all about the smiles: UNE and Rep. Fecteau both focus on Maine kids

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

UNE dental students again provided free care to local students; Rep. Ryan Fecteau introduced a bill to expand dental coverage for Maine children.

Contributed stories

Students from the University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine and Department of Dental Hygiene welcomed 85 elementary students from Old Orchard Beach to the university’s Oral Health Center on Friday, Feb. 6, for UNE’s fifth annual “Give Kids a Smile” event.

According to organizers, the Old Orchard Beach students received a full slate of preventive dental services at no cost, including cleanings, fluoride treatments, protective sealants, and oral health education.

Students from the University of New England’s dental school provided cleaning and other dental services to 85 Old Orchard Beach elementary school students. This is the fifth year that UNE has participated in the annual cleaning Give Kids A Smile event. (Contributed photo)

The services were delivered by UNE dental medicine and dental hygiene students working together in clinical teams. Each child also received a take-home oral care kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and educational materials to support healthy habits beyond the visit.

The one-day event provided more than $14,000 in free dental care, helping remove barriers to access while introducing families to ongoing resources available through UNE’s Oral Health Center, located on UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences — the only fully integrated health sciences campus of its kind in New England.

“Untreated dental disease can lead to severe pain that impacts a child’s ability to eat and drink properly, disrupts their sleep patterns, affects their concentration, and contributes to changes in behavior,” said Nicole Kimmes, D.D.S., dean of the UNE College of Dental Medicine. “By hosting events like Give Kids a Smile, we improve access and education for the children of Maine and decrease the number impacted by these conditions right in our home communities.”

The now-annual event is part of a national Give Kids a Smile initiative coordinated by the American Dental Association, during which dentists and dental students across the country provide care to underserved children.

At UNE, the program has grown steadily since its launch in 2020 and continues to reflect the University’s commitment to improving community health while preparing future providers through hands-on, team-based learning.

“This experience, with dental hygiene and dental students working together to deliver care to children, enhances communication and delivers more comprehensive oral health education to the children coming to visit the OHC today,” said Dianne Smallidge, RDH, Ed.D., director of the undergraduate Department of Dental Hygiene at UNE.

Alexander Dyke, a UNE student who is scheduled to graduate later this year, is planning to pursue a pediatric residency. He said events like Give Kids a Smile benefit both families and students.

“The work we’re doing today is extremely important in providing underserved populations get the care they otherwise wouldn’t have,” Dyke said. “It also means that I get experience, and it means other students get experience. “We get to work with faculty and see their input on the type of ways they would go about doing that — it broadens my horizons and increases the tools in my toolbox.”

Fecteau introduces bill to expand access to dental care

Earlier this week, State Rep. Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) introduced a bill to improve dental access care for children.

Fecteau’s bill – LD 2123 — seeks to modify the MaineCare Reimbursement Methodology for the provision of anesthesia for certain dental services.

Fecteau – who is currently serving as Speaker of the House – says his bill will hopefully address a growing backlog of children awaiting care for dental issues.

The legislation proposes a targeted increase to MaineCare reimbursement rates for anesthesia services provided to children at ambulatory surgery centers treating at least 50 percent for MaineCare patients. As a result, Fecteau said these centers will be able to continue their operations, increase capacity, and reduce wait times.

“Access to care is critical. Too many Maine children are suffering with tooth pain because of the limited options for care,” Fecteau said. “This bill is a key step that will help ease just a little bit of that suffering and make it more feasible for other ambulatory surgery centers to expand services for MaineCare patients.”

According to Fecteau, many children receiving MaineCare lack a “dental home,” meaning they do not have a dentist they see regularly for cleanings and other preventative care. Without this routine maintenance, curable issues – things like cavities – turn into surgical events, with long waits for care.

“No child should have to suffer in pain because of their insurance status when treatment is available,” said Becca Matusovich, Executive Director of the Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine. “LD 2123 is one important element of a comprehensive strategy to address dental disease among Maine children who have been unable to access dental care.”

The Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled to consider Fecteau’s bill in the coming weeks.

Note: This story was updated with a correction: The UNE event in Portland took place on Friday, Feb. 6, not Thursday. We apologize for the error.

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Alan Bennett, Assistant Director of Communications at the University of New England, contributed to this story

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How Biddeford is using its opioid settlement funds

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

The Biddeford City Council received an update Tuesday regarding how the city’s local allocation of Opioid Settlement funds has been used over the last year.

The funds come from several class action lawsuits that were filed against opioid manufacturers and distributors roughly 10 years ago.

Jake Hammer, Biddeford’s General Assistance supervisor, gave the Biddeford City Council a presentation Tuesday about how the city is using its portion of the Opioid Settlement Funds.

The defendants – including Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, Walgreens and CVS –reached a $56 billion settlement with those states, counties and municipalities that filed suit against them. The funds can only be used to provide for treatment and other services directly linked to opioid use.

Opioids — more commonly known as “painkillers” — are often prescribed to treat severe pain. They can be highly addictive and addiction causes consequences for communities in terms of crime, economic instability and fractured interpersonal relationships.

Examples of opioids include Oxycontin, Fentanyl and Demerol.

According to reporting by Emily Bader from The Maine Monitor, Maine communities and counties have received roughly  $20.3 million from the $66.4 million they’re set to receive by 2038.

The money, Bader reports, “has been used for a wide range of initiatives, from grants to community organizations providing recovery services to scholarships for residential treatment beds.”

Biddeford’s General Assistance Supervisor — Jake Hammer – provided the council with an annual overview of how the city has been handing its portion of the funds allocated to Maine communities.

According to Hammer, the funds began flowing in 2022 and are scheduled to continue through 2038.

Hammer told the council that at least 70 to 85 percent of the funds must be used for future opioid remediation, including treatment, harm reduction, prevention, and recovery services.

In September 2024, the city council adopted an ordinance to track and report how the city’s share of Opioid Settlement Fund (OSF) is being used.

A little more than a year ago, the city council approved an OSF Strategic Action Plan, Hammer said. That plan includes Strategic Goals and measurement criteria, which are required by the Maine Attorney General’s office, as spelled out by state law.

Hammer told the council that the city now has six recovery residences — total of 95 beds –available for those struggling with opioid addiction. Roughly 83 percent of the city’s allocation last year was used to support those residential facilities.

The city received roughly $378,039 during the last calendar year as its annual allocation of funds.

RELATED: Biddeford non-profit receives $500k grant

Hammer also supplied the council with some demographic information about the 58 people who have requested addiction treatment during the past year.

The bulk of those requesting or applying for services were white men (44), Hammer said. 18 individuals identified as having a physical or mental disability; and 14 applicants were employed when seeking services.

Councilor Dylan Doughty asked if the city could use some of its allocation for further public outreach about treatment options in the city.

“That is absolutely something we can do,” Hammer responded.

Note: To view or download a copy of Hammer’s presentation: OPIOID SETTLEMENT | Biddeford

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

You may view and learn more about our editorial standards and policies here:

Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

c.) 2026 All Rights Reserved; Biddeford Gazette, Inc.

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Biddeford city manager: Cheering for the Seahawks on Sunday?

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Nearly 128 million people are expected to watch Sunday’s Superbowl Championship game between the 17-3 New England Patriots and the 16-3 Seattle Seahawks.

One of those people who will be watching the Superbowl LX game on television is Biddeford’s relatively new city manager Truc Dever.

Dever relocated to Biddeford last summer from her home in Kirkland, Wash., a Seattle suburb where she served as that city’s public works director.

When asked Wednesday about which team she would be rooting for, Dever took in a deep breath and paused before offering her reply.

“I’m probably going to get in a lot of trouble for saying this, but I’ll be cheering for the Seahawks,” she admitted.

Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever (File Photo)

When asked to predict the game’s outcome, Dever laughed: “I’m probably in enough trouble already.”

Dever was previously asked a similar question last year, when she was interviewed by Biddeford Gazette reporter Jim Krause.

RELATED: Meet the new boss | Truc Dever takes the helm at City Hall

Dever said she is looking forward to watching the game, cheering for Seattle from deep in the heart of Patriots’ territory.

“I’ll likely be texting with some of my former coworkers throughout the game,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Apparently, there are some things that still bring people together.

Ben Affleck fans from both coasts are looking forward to the actor’s much-anticipated Dunkin’ Donuts commercial during Sunday’s game.

Note: Biddeford resident Paul Burgess inspired this story. Moreover, Burgess predicted the Seahawks will trounce New England, 35-7.

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

You may view and learn more about our editorial standards and policies here:

Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

c.) 2026 All Rights Reserved; Biddeford Gazette, Inc.

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Council debates controversial parking plan

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

The Biddeford City Council finally got the chance Tuesday to discuss a controversial parking plan that has raised questions and eyebrows about city spending procedures.

One councilor described the project as a significant breach of city procedures, but another councilor described the $20,000 project as “small potatoes,” when compared to other issues facing the city.

The Biddeford City Council took up several issues Tuesday night, including discussion about a controversial parking program that was launched last year (Seaver photo)

The temporary parking plan is no longer in place. It was designed to help struggling downtown businesses by providing them and their employees free parking during a major sewer construction project last year in the downtown area.

The city spent roughly $20,000 over a five-month period to fund the program. It was designed to be “net neutral,” transferring money from an account the city uses for subsidizing bi-annual payments to the company that operates the Pearl Street parking garage.

RELATED: City investigating parking plan launched by former mayor

Councilor Brad Cote blasted the program and the city’s former mayor, saying he was outraged about how it was funded and implemented.

“This was done without the approval or knowledge of the Finance Committee or the city council,” Cote said. “This was a one-man show, and it was shooting from the hip. I think it’s awful and insulting to taxpayers.”

In December, Mayor Liam LaFountain – the former council president and chair of the finance committee — said he was flabbergasted when he first learned about the program months after it had been launched.

LaFountain then asked City Attorney Harry Center to investigate the issue. In his Jan. 3 memo to the mayor and city council, Center raised concerns about the program’s “process.”

But Councilor Jake Pierson said the issue is relatively benign.

“I think we’re making a mountain out of a molehill here,” Pierson said. “I guess I don’t understand the outrage. I see this as a waste of our energy and city resources.

“When we look at all the other issues facing the city, I see this as small potatoes,” Pierson added.

Councilor Marc Lessard – an outspoken critic of former mayor Marty Grohman – said his concerns were rooted in the process used behind the program’s funding.

“It was incorrectly done,” Lessard said, pointing out that the former mayor “lobbied hard” last year for a 35 percent increase to the Heart of Biddeford’s annual funding request.

The Heart of Biddeford – a non-profit downtown booster organization – coordinated the parking program, providing outreach and information to downtown businesses.

“This is yet just another example of mismanagement,” Lessard said. “It was swept under the rug, and it should have never happened.”

In order to reconcile the city’s accounting ledgers and prepare for future financial audits, the council voted 7-1 (Cote) to retroactively approve the project and redirect the expenditures from a different account in the city’s budget. 

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

You may view and learn more about our editorial standards and policies here: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies

c.) 2026 All Rights Reserved; Biddeford Gazette, Inc.

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OPINION: Supporting our municipal workforce; how AI can help cities serve better

~ Randy Seaver ~ 3 Comments

By MARTY GROHMAN, Special to the Gazette

Our municipal employees are the backbone of our communities. They plow our streets at three in the morning during snowstorms. They respond to service requests, maintain our infrastructure, and keep our cities running smoothly day after day. These dedicated public servants often work with limited resources, facing growing demands while dealing with staffing constraints and aging technology systems.

We owe it to them to provide every tool that can make their jobs easier, safer, and more effective. Artificial intelligence isn’t about replacing these hardworking people—it’s about giving them support so they can focus on what matters most: serving our residents.

Photo: Open.gov

Starting Small: Meeting Minutes and Administrative Tasks

The simplest place to start is often the most impactful. Consider the countless hours municipal employees spend transcribing meeting minutes, summarizing discussions, and producing reports. In Gray, Maine, Communications and IT Director Kyle Hadyniak has embraced this exact opportunity.

Gray uses Microsoft Copilot to create meeting recaps of Town Council sessions much faster than manual transcription would allow, with the AI automatically generating timestamps and natural language summaries that help Hadyniak turn around news articles in just an hour or two. This means residents get information about their local government faster, and it means one less tedious task weighing down a small municipal staff.

Gray adopted a formal AI policy in the summer of 2025 that requires staff training before receiving access to AI tools and emphasizes that AI outputs must be treated as draft material requiring human review. This responsible approach recognizes that technology should augment human judgment, not replace it.

The impact goes beyond time savings. When communications staff can produce meeting summaries quickly, they have more time for community engagement, answering resident questions, and improving accessibility. Hadyniak noted that small municipalities in Maine with fewer than ten full-time staff members would particularly benefit from AI tools to handle smaller administrative tasks.

Making Our Streets Safer and More Efficient

Syracuse, New York, demonstrates how municipalities can use technology to enhance essential services while maintaining transparency and community oversight. 

For snow removal operations—a critical service in upstate New York—Syracuse’s Department of Public Works has implemented GPS fleet tracking and AI cameras on trucks. These systems don’t just monitor employees; they protect them. Cameras provide visual documentation of road conditions and can help verify crew safety and accountability. Real-time GPS tracking allows operations superintendents to optimize routes, respond to service requests more effectively, and ensure no streets get missed during storms.

Think about the worker driving a plow truck for twelve hours straight during a blizzard. That technology means their supervisor knows where they are, can send help if needed, and can verify their route is safe and efficient. It means fewer callbacks to streets that were already plowed and better coordination across the entire fleet.

Looking Forward: Smarter Services, Better Communities

The next generation of municipal AI applications will transform how cities deliver services:

Route Optimization for Waste Collection: AI can analyze traffic patterns, construction zones, and historical data to create more efficient garbage and recycling routes. Drivers spend less time in traffic, trucks use less fuel, and residents get more consistent service.

Predictive Infrastructure Maintenance: Machine learning can identify patterns in service requests and sensor data to predict when a water main might fail or when a road needs repaving—before it becomes an emergency. This helps cities budget more effectively and prevents those frustrating situations where the same street gets dug up multiple times.

Intelligent Website Navigation: Many municipal websites are difficult to navigate, especially for residents who aren’t familiar with government terminology. AI-powered search and chatbots can help residents find the right form, understand a regulation, or get connected to the correct department without spending hours clicking through menus or waiting on hold.

Smart Permitting Systems: AI can review permit applications for completeness, flag common errors, and route them to the appropriate reviewers automatically. This speeds up processing times for residents and businesses while freeing up permit staff to handle complex cases that need human expertise.

A Commitment to Our Employees

Our municipal employees didn’t sign up for endless paperwork and administrative burden. They chose public service to make a difference in their communities. We need to innovate to keep our taxes down, and every minute we can give back to our hardworking employees through smart automation is a minute they can spend on more meaningful work—and providing the personal touch that no algorithm can replicate.

As we move forward, the question shouldn’t be whether to embrace AI in municipal operations, but how to implement it responsibly in service of the dedicated people who serve our communities every day. They’ve earned our support, and technology is one more way we can show we value their contributions.

The future of municipal service isn’t about choosing between people and technology—it’s about using technology to empower people to do their best work. Our employees deserve nothing less.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Marty Grohman of Biddeford is a former Maine State representative and former mayor. He has served as the Executive Director of E2Tech, a clean energy trade association, and built a successful manufacturing business in southern Maine.

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Firefighters tackle blaze at Sleepy Hollow motel in Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Firefighters from several communities are now on scene at the former Sleepy Hollow Motel on Elm Street in Biddeford. A structure fire was reported shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday.

One firefighter was removed from the scene by an ambulance from the Goodwins Mills fire department. It is unclear why the firefighter was taken from the scene.

Elm Street traffic near the Hannaford grocery store is closed to traffic in both directions.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved  Biddeford Gazette, Inc.

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BREAKING NEWS: IRS will waive $700K in penalties against Biddeford; city assessor taking new job

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

City officials in Biddeford are breathing a sigh of relief today after learning that the IRS will be waiving more than $500,000 in fees and penalties that were levied against the city two years ago.

Furthermore, City Manager Truc Dever says the IRS will also refund roughly $200,000 that the city already paid in penalties that resulted from the city’s failure to file employee health insurance forms with the IRS in 2021.

The Biddeford Gazette first published information about the IRS penalties in March 2025,

RELATED: Biddeford facing financial difficulties

“This is really great news,” Dever told the Gazette earlier today.

According to Dever, much of the credit for getting the fines removed were the result “of some very hard work” by staffers in U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’s regional office in Biddeford.

“Both Pam Buck and Andrea Sarris in Senator Collins office worked closely with the city of several months to help us resolve this issue,” Dever said.

Assessor leaving

The Gazette also learned today that City Assessor Deanne Vail has accepted a new job in the town of Scarborough.

Vail will remain at her current job in Biddeford until Feb. 26, according to the city manager

These reports will be updated as new information becomes available,

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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved — Biddeford Gazette, Inc.

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King being challenged by independent in sheriff’s race

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Brian Pellerin — deputy chief of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s office — recently announced that he is running for York County Sheriff in the November 2026 election.

“I am running as a principled independent candidate, committed to professional, nonpartisan leadership in public safety,” Pellerin wrote in a press release that was sent to several media outlets in southern Maine.

Brian Pellerin, Independent
Bill King, Incumbent

The York County Sheriff’s Office operates the York County Jail and provides law enforcement to 14 rural towns without police departments. The Sheriff’s Office also provides contract deputies to several municipalities within the county and maintains a civil process division.

According to the Maine Secretary of State’s office, incumbent Sheriff William King – a Democrat –will be seeking a fourth, four-year term. First elected sheriff in 2014, King – a Saco resident — began working at the Sheriff’s Office in 2010.

During the last year, King has found himself embroiled in some controversy, including media reports about jail employees allegedly accepting bribes from inmates.

King did not return the Gazette’s request for comment on Monday.

For his part, Pellerin says he is running as an independent candidate because the sheriff’s office “must remain above partisan politics.”

As of Monday, no Republican candidate has yet filed the required candidacy paperwork for the York County sheriff’s position.

Pellerin says the job requires accountability, transparency and a clear focus on putting people over politics.

“I have more than 30 years of law enforcement experience at the local, county, state, and federal levels,” Pellerin wrote in his press release. “I currently serve as Chief Deputy of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, a nationally accredited agency serving more than 300,000 residents.”

Pellerin – a Saco native – today lives in Dayton, where he has resided for more than 20 years and served as a community volunteer, coach and civic leader.

Pellerin previously spent more than two decades as a federal special agent with the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General, conducting complex investigations and protective operations both domestically and internationally, according to his press release.

“The Sheriff’s Office exists for no other reason than to serve and protect the people of York County,” Pellerin said. “In the coming weeks and months ahead, I look forward to earning the trust of voters and building a Sheriff’s Office that sets the standards for professionalism, accountability and service.”

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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved Biddeford Gazette, Inc.

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Biddeford students headed to York County spelling bee

~ Karen Garnett ~ Leave a comment

By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer

Students from Biddeford and Saco schools showcased their spelling skills last month during their respective school Spelling Bees, earning top honors and advancing to the York County Spelling Bee on February 9, 2026, at Saco Middle School. Due to limited space, the event is not open to the public.

 Biddeford Middle School’s Spelling Bee Champion Ronan Lunianski and Runner-up Jordan Souliere. will be heading to the York County Spelling Bee (Contributed photo)

At CK Burns School, fifth-grade students Sage Daicy claimed the championship by correctly spelling gleaned, while Peter Galasyn earned the runner-up position and Calie Thayer placed third. At Saco Middle School, sixth-grader Toran King-Riggs secured the championship in round ten by correctly spelling Frankenstein, while sixth-grader Marko Marjanovic earned runner-up, and eighth-grader Layla Goodrich placed third. At Biddeford Middle School, seventh-grader Ronan Lunianski was named School Champion by correctly spelling equestrian, with sixth-grader Jordan Souliere earning the runner-up position. 

The York County Spelling Bee brings together top spellers from schools across the region for a rigorous, multi-round competition that challenges students’ vocabulary, composure, and perseverance. Participants advance by correctly spelling increasingly complex words, with judges and an official pronouncer guiding each round. The event celebrates academic achievement while encouraging confidence, focus, and a love of language.

“In past years, I’ve had the chance to watch students compete, and what stands out most is their courage,” said Jeremy Ray, Superintendent of Biddeford and Saco Schools. “Standing up in front of your peers, trusting your instincts, and pushing through pressure takes real grit. Whether they placed first or simply took the microphone and gave it their best, every one of these students made their school communities proud, and we wish them the best of luck at the York County Spelling Bee.”

The Biddeford and Saco School Departments congratulate all Spelling Bee participants for their preparation, perseverance, and outstanding sportsmanship, and wish their advancing students the best of luck at the York County Spelling Bee.

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Karen Garnett is Director of Communications for Biddeford, Saco and Dayton schools.

She can be reached at kgarnett@biddefordschools.me

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NEWSLETTER: Help us with a tagline, score some goodies from Reilly’s Bakery

~ Randy Seaver ~ 10 Comments

According to blogger Mat Zucker, it is becoming more and more important for news outlets to have a pithy, clever tagline that differentiates them from an overflowing pot of news sources and media sites.

“The motto of a news organization is more than just marketing,” Zucker writes. “It’s a declaration of journalistic purpose. These short phrases encapsulate an outlet’s mission, values, and unique approach to reporting.”

Help the Gazette create a tagline, get a gift certificate to Reilly’s Bakery File photo

As the Biddeford Gazette begins its second year, I’m asking our readers for suggestions and ideas about a possible tagline for our humble, hyper-local organization.

To get your creative juices flowing, here are a couple of ideas that have been rattling around in my mind.

We could co-opt the New York Times famous tagline: “All the news that’s fit to print,” how about this? 

The Biddeford Gazette — All the Biddeford news that’s fit to publish on the internet.

Or maybe we could bend this oft-mentioned piece of writing advice:

Biddeford Gazette — An economy of words; a wealth of Biddeford information

One of my favorite potential taglines came to me last year while talking with former mayor Marty Grohman:

The Biddeford Gazette — We’re free, and we’re worth it!

Of course, we could always take the serious and boring route:

The Biddeford Gazette — Your trusted source for Biddeford news and information;

According to the experts, your tagline should really describe your brand and reputation. So, how about:

The Biddeford Gazette — There’s no such thing as a day off in our newsroom?

But my all-time favorite has to be this one from a former colleague who wished to remain anonymous:

The Biddeford Gazette — Where cranky, old-school journalists go to die in southern Maine.

What do you think should be our motto? Send your suggestions to biddefordgazette@gmail.com

If we pick your original suggestion, you get a $20 gift certificate to Reilly’s Bakery. Yum!

A busy week!

It’s been a busy week here in the Biddeford Gazette’s newsroom.

We started off the week with a rather interesting story featuring local author Susan Graham’s new book about the “Great Fires of 1947” and how that disaster impacted several Biddeford neighborhoods.

That story was one of the most popular pieces we have published. Dozens of people emailed me their own recollections and the stories that were passed down from generation to generation.

Speaking of fires, we also published an exclusive interview with Biddeford Fire Chief Lawrence Best about the city’s ongoing discussions about a potential substation that would be located in the eastern part of the city.

Of course, we updated a story we first published last year about more than $500,00 of fines the city of Biddeford is facing in IRS penalties for failing to submit employee health insurance records in 2021.

Our original story about the city’s financial problems – including the city’s IRS exposure — was first published in the Biddeford Gazette on March 10, 2025.

All I can say is that I am happy that we now have a new city manager, a new finance director, a new mayor and a relatively new city council.

Our exclusive reporting continued this week on an updated story about a complaint the city filed against the University of New England in York County Superior Court.

Finally, we received a press release a couple of weeks ago from State Rep. Marc Malon of Biddeford about a new bill he introduced.

We could have just copied and pasted Malon’s press release, but we decided to dig a little deeper about his proposal to prohibit the use of credit cards for online sports gambling.

At first blush, I considered Malon’s proposal to be yet another example of government overreach into private affairs, but he convinced me otherwise.

In closing, a funny story about the power and benefit of local news, the flexibility of the internet and accessible reporters. Malon really liked the story, but he was a bit uncomfortable with our original headline: “Online gambling addiction troubles Biddeford lawmaker.”

When Malon texted me to ask if we could change the headline, I was more than happy to oblige. Some people were inferring that Malon was having personal problems with a gambling addiction.

One of my old editors – Harry Foote – was likely rolling in his grave. I had forgotten the most basic fundamentals of headline writing: Short, clear in subject-verb-object order.

And that’s a wrap! Stay warm and be safe!

P.S. Oh, yeah. . . . almost forgot to mention: The Biddeford Gazette is now a registered and incorporated as a non-profit entity in the state of Maine!

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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved, Biddeford Gazette, Inc.

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Biddeford Middle School presents ‘Moana JR.’

~ Karen Garnett ~ Leave a comment

By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer

Disney’s Moana JR. is playing at Biddeford Middle School’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, and Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. each evening.

The 60-minute musical, adapted from the book by Susan Soon He Stanton and the 2016 Disney animated film, brings the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. The Biddeford Middle School Drama Club’s cast includes 85 students led by Coleen Hatt and Rob Petit. 

“Much like Moana’s journey, this production is about courage, curiosity, and discovering your own voice. Our students have taken creative risks, supported one another, and grown tremendously throughout this process,” said BMS Drama Teacher Coleen Hatt.  “Performing for a live audience brings that journey full circle, and we hope our community will join us in celebrating their hard work, growth, and the joy of storytelling on stage.”

Moana JR. tells the story of Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within. With empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, Moana JR. is sure to bring out the hero within each of us.  

Moana JR. features all the beloved songs from the film, written by Tony®, GRAMMY, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, including “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome,” with orchestration adapted and arranged by Ian Weinberger.  

Both shows are open to the public with donations accepted at the door. Seating is general admission, and doors will open at 6: p.m. The Facebook event can be found at https://bit.ly/4k5LAvQ.

Disney’s Moana JR. is presented through a special arrangement with, and all authorized performance materials are provided by, Music Theatre International (www.mtishows.com). 

For more information about licensing Moana JR. or other Disney shows, please visit www.DisneyMusicals.com.

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Karen Garnett is Director of Communications for Biddeford, Saco and Dayton schools.

She can be reached at kgarnett@biddefordschools.me

Biddeford lawmaker’s bill addresses online gambling addiction

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By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Over just the last few years, online gambling has exploded in popularity all over the country and its impacts are being felt here in Maine — on several different fronts.

That gambling explosion – especially the rise in online sports/fantasy wagering – has also caused some problems, most notably a sharp increase in gambling addiction.

In response, State Rep. Marc Malon (D-Biddeford) has introduced a bill to provide additional safeguards for Mainers struggling with gambling addiction. LD 2080, Malon says, is designed to prohibit the use of credit cards in online sports betting.

State Rep. Marc Malon (D-Biddeford) testifies before the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. Committee about his bill to prohibit the use of credit cards for online sports betting (Contributed photo)

Although at first glance, it may seem that his proposed legislation is just another example of government overreach into private affairs or the expansion of a so-called “nanny state,” Malon points out that several large, national gambling sites already prohibit the use of credit cards for online sports betting.

In fact, DraftKings – one of the nation’s largest online fantasy sports and sportsbook betting sites – decided last year to discontinue allowing its players to use their credit cards for online wagers.

“You can rack up a lot of debt real fast by using your credit card,” Malon said. “That’s especially true in the highly addictive realm of online gaming.”

Malon also points out that current state law prohibits the use of credit cards at casino slot machines.

During an interview last week with the Gazette, Malon said he struggled when Gov. Janet Mills did not veto an internet gaming bill. “That was one of the hardest decisions I had to make as a state legislator,” he said.

According to the National Institutes for Health (NIH), online gambling addiction is a growing problem in the United States.

In Maine, more people are calling the Maine Problem Gambling Hotline since the state legalized online sports betting over a year ago, according to a Feb. 7, 2025 story by Madi Smith of Maine Public.

In 2018, a Supreme Court ruling struck down a federal sports betting ban, and gambling skyrocketed in subsequent years. Today, roughly 22 percent of Americans—and 48 percent of men ages 18–49—report having at least one online sportsbook account, according to the Siena Research Institute.

As of December 2025, 31 states, plus Washington, D.C., allow for some form of online sports betting, according to Hopkins Bloomberg Health Magazine.

“Legal and regulated gaming creates jobs and provides significant revenue to our state,” said Malon. “But as the popularity of sports wagering grows and as iGaming comes online, the Legislature must prioritize measures that balance sports betting’s economic benefits with modest guardrails to protect Mainers from addiction and falling into debt. This bill strikes that balance.”

Malon cited research which shows that enabling credit card payments for online betting and sports gambling contributes to higher wagering amounts, increased rate of compulsive gambling and greater financial consequences, as people can more easily accumulate debt.

There are currently seven states, including Maine’s neighbors of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, that already have this prohibition in place, Malon said.

In related news, the owners of Oxford Casino — one of Maine’s two casinos – told WGME-TV earlier this week that they will be suing the state over a new law that allows Maine’s four federally recognized tribes to offer iGaming.

Oxford Casino calls that an “unlawful monopoly” and says it’s “discrimination” based on “race.”

The lawsuit says internet gaming could take away from its revenue, causing “substantial job losses and hundreds of millions of dollars in lost economic output.”

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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved

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OPINION: Helping parents afford childcare

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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.

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State Sen. Henry Ingwersen represents the communities of Arundel, Biddeford, Dayton, Hollis and Lyman in the Maine Senate. (District 32)

He may be contacted at henry.ingwersen@legislature.maine.gov

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