EDITORIALS

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April 11, 2026

City should fully fund McArthur Library’s annual budget request

Sometimes priorities don’t fit comfortably on a spreadsheet, but from our perspective, the McArthur Library is one of the city’s most vital organs – no less important than our schools, our police or our fire department. We are hard-pressed to think of a better way to represent a “civilized society” than to promote, encourage and support a robust library that serves the needs of every Biddeford citizen. | READ MORE

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March 29, 2026

Why did we share a negative op-ed about Biddeford?

We offer three reasons why we decided that a scathing opinion piece written by Ted Cohen in the Maine Wire should be shared broadly with those who live and work in Biddeford. We invite robust community discussion regarding Mr. Cohen’s perspective that Biddeford’s new narrative may not be living up to the scrutiny of reality. | READ MORE

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Feb. 26, 2026

Biddeford should keep its city attorney, Harry Center

We offer three reasons why the City Council should not hire an ‘in-house’ attorney | Experience, Local Knowledge and Financial Considerations. READ MORE

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Feb. 22, 2026

When journalists compete, readers win | Biddeford’s media landscape

A city that once had three thriving print newspapers suddenly found itself in a news vacuum until three scrappy digital entrepreneurs — including a couple of journalists — decided it was time for a change. READ MORE

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Feb. 5, 2026

Biddeford’s gentrification is also impacting the city’s annual winter festival

With each passing day, it is getting harder and harder for longtime residents to keep pace with soaring rental costs and restaurants that now cater to a younger, more affluent clientele. READ MORE

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Dec. 14, 2025

Lesson from a city councilor | Are we here, or are we present?

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. READ MORE

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Nov. 19, 2025

The elections are over | Will a change do us good?

What can we expect from the new mayor and city council? I am excited about the change, but I am also feeling some trepidation and even some sadness. READ MORE

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Aug. 11, 2025

‘Biddo’ A term of endearment or an insult from hipsters?

Roughly 15 years ago, some people began using the word “Biddo” as slang to describe the city of Biddeford. Many older residents get very riled up by that term. READ MORE

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Aug. 10, 2025

Should age matter in Biddeford elections?

If we’re going to promote and celebrate diversity, well – that also includes older people and senior citizens. I don’t think age matters. I think competence and positions matter much more. READ MORE

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ABOUT THE EDITOR | Randy Seaver began his journalism career as a non-paid student intern at the daily Journal Tribune in 1981. Since then, he has worked for several different publications as a reporter, columnist and editor. Today, he serves as editor of the Biddeford Gazette and blogs regularly about media issues and the challenges connected to his own struggles with bipolar disorder. You may contact him by email | randy@randyseaver.com