Tag: Alan Casavant

OPINION: Those were the days . . .

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

How do you know you’ve been covering Biddeford news for a long, long time?

I have covered the city’s annual WinterFest celebration since — well – since before it was called WinterFest.

Biddeford’s annual downtown winter celebration was the brainchild of newly elected Mayor Alan Casavant in 2012.

Casavant — who was also serving as a state representative back then –had attended a community dog-sledding event and celebration in Fort Kent.

“I was really impressed by the community turnout,” the former mayor said during a recent interview. “It wasn’t just dog-sledding and races, they had lots of different activities. It really brought people together.”

Casavant returned home full of optimism and ideas about how Biddeford could do something similar.

Let her rip! Former mayor Alan Casavant tackles the man-made sledding hill on Adam’s Street during the very first WinterFest celebration in February 2012. The annual festival was then known as L Fete d’ Hiver

The city was in the early stages of a downtown renaissance, and Casavant was eager to draw people back to the downtown area — even though MERC was still burning garbage roughly 1,200 feet away from the first man-made sledding hill on Adams Street and the fact that there were then fewer than 438 places in downtown Biddeford to get gourmet coffee, craft beers and specialty pizzas.

Casavant enlisted the help of resident John Maxson who jumped into the project with both feet and a smile that never faded until his passing several years ago. Maxson’s memory and community service is enshrined by a bronze plaque that was placed on the outside wall of City Hall near Adams Street.

Originally, the celebration was called La Fete d’ Hiver, a nod to the city’s then dominant Franco-American heritage.

The first festival exceeded expectations for community turnout, and the weekend celebration was later expanded and became more popular with each passing year and a growing base of volunteers.

But by the third year, the name La Fete’ d’ Hiver was dropped and replaced with a more inclusive moniker: WinterFest, much easier for most of us to pronounce and spell.

Look, my family attended Mass at St. Mary’s, not St. Andre’s or St. Joseph’s.

When my parents bought their first home in Saco, I served as an altar boy at Most Holy Trinity, not Notre Dame.

I graduated from Thornton Academy, not St. Louis High School.

I knew just enough French to get in trouble and flirt with local girls. Et, pourquoi  pas?

I’m not trying to position myself as the defender of Biddeford’s Franco-American heritage. Growing up in Saco, we made jokes about French people.

Laura and I were getting our groove on during the city’s first WinterFest celebration in 2012

It should also be noted that Biddeford’s cultural roots are not just pure-bred French Canadian. Our community was also built by immigrant factory workers who came here from Ireland, Greece, Albania and numerous other countries, including Syria, Russia and Italy.

When it comes to cultural diversity, Biddeford pretty much knocks it out of the park.

But I do feel sad and a bit troubled by the gentrification now taking place in my community.

What’s next? Are we going to rename the city’s annual La Kermesse celebration as SummerFest?

I think the Lincoln Hotel lobby is fantastic and a wonderful place to meet friends. I enjoy hanging out at Element’s and drinking really good beer at Sacred Profane.

__________________

But I do feel sad and a bit troubled

by the gentrification now taking place

in my community.

_________________

But like many other people, I do so sometimes wax nostalgic about getting new school clothes at Butler’s, eating at the Woolworth’s lunch counter or browsing the vast collection of records at Murphy’s Music.

The once vibrant shoe factory on State Street is now an apartment complex. You no longer get your local groceries at Sevigny’s Market and charge your purchases to your weekly slip.

You blissfully ignored whatever it was that would periodically spew forth directly into the river from the Saco Tannery.

There will be many activities for adults and children throughout the weekend, but the downtown sledding hill remains as a favorite among area children. (Photo by Devin Wright)

There was no Home Depot. You went to McKenney & Heard Hardware on Main Street, You got your prescriptions at Doyon’s Pharmacy not Wal-Mart.

If you lived in Biddeford, your furniture came from Warren’s. If you lived in Saco, you probably bought your new dining set at Atkinson’s.

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.

People tell me all the time that they miss print newspapers like the Journal Tribune or the Biddeford-Saco Courier.

I shrug and say, “Oh well. Times change. Now you have the Biddeford Gazette and Saco Bay News.”

Change is the only constant . . . that and the joy that can be found in community events like WinterFest. Enjoy!

For more information about this weekend’s events, please visit: WINTERFEST | 2026

_______________________

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.

Never miss an update! Subscribe for free today!

Eastern fire substation moving through review process

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

NOTE: This story has been updated in order to clarify that city of Biddeford has not had any formal discussions with the owners of the Biddeford Pool volunteer fire station. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

It is an idea that has been discussed for nearly a decade, but it now appears that momentum is increasing to finally create a full-time substation of the Biddeford Fire Department somewhere on the eastern side of the city.

According to Biddeford Fire Chief Lawrence Best, the overall goal is to reduce emergency response times in areas from the intersections of the Guinea Road, easterly, along both Pool and West streets, toward the coastal neighborhoods of Hills Beach, Granite Point, Fortunes Rocks and Biddeford Pool.

During an interview with the Gazette last week, Best said he is looking at multiple location options.

Biddeford Fire Department Chief Larry Best (City photo)

Two of the most talked about options include converting the privately-owned Biddeford Pool volunteer firehouse; and purchasing a parcel of land now owned by the University of New England (UNE) near the intersection of Pool Street and Newtown Road.

A little more than three years ago, former mayor Alan Casavant created a committee taskforce to review potential sites and various ways to improve emergency response times.

Ward One City Councilor Pat Boston represents that part of the city, a role she held previously before taking a hiatus from serving on the council.

Boston also served on the task force created by Casavant.

“It was always about response times, and that is what drove the bulk of our conversations,” she said.

Best told the Gazette that emergency response times should not exceed a window of more than four to six minutes, at least 90 percent of the time for all calls.

Best also says that the easterly part of the city has seen an increase in demand for service, including an average of 160 calls per year from the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.

Boston quoted former city councilor Norman Belanger, saying that public safety is one of the three major functions the city should provide.

“Response times are important,” Boston said. “But it’s also important to remember that there is a substantial cost involved. Whichever option we choose we need to make sure that choice addresses both current and future needs.”

Boston says she likes the idea of converting the Biddeford Pool Fire station into a full-time, 24-7 substation staffed and operated by the city, but said she is also keeping an open mind about other potential locations.

Best describes the 30-acre parcel owned by UNE as his ‘Plan A” site but concedes that there are several potential issues that could limit or prevent future development.

“That site has some vernal pools and wetlands that would not be appropriate for development,” Best said. “As the fire chief, it is my responsibility to keep an eye out for all the options.”

Best said there would be a significant cost associated with converting the privately owned Biddeford Pool fire station into a full-time “livable station.”

“We are not having any formal discussions with the Biddeford Pool Improvement Association at this time, Best said. “I have had a couple of high-level concept discussions, but nothing formal.”

He says that the Biddeford Pool option would not necessarily meet the objectives of reducing response times in other parts of eastern Biddeford, including homes along the Guinea Road and Hills Beach Road, which cuts through UNE’s campus.

Best made a detailed presentation about the ongoing discussions and goals of creating an eastern fire substation a few weeks ago during the Dec. 16 Biddeford City Council meeting.

Best told the council that the UNE property continues to be the preferred location for a substation given its location and travel routes. “A majority of the fire/EMS calls in this area can be reached from this location within the national standard response time of four to six minutes,” he said.

Where are we, and where do we want to go?

Best joined the Biddeford Fire Department as its new chief in 2023.

The city’s Central Fire station still lives up to its name today because of its central location even as the city expands in both an easterly and westerly direction, Best said.

Today, Best describes his department as “fully staffed” with a total of 52 full-time employees, including 48 employees trained as both firefighters and paramedics, including EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians).

“I am all about efficiency and saving the city money,” Best said. “All of our firefighters have dual training. This gives us the flexibility we need to handle every call for service.”

______________

“I am all about efficiency and saving the city money.”

— Fire Chief Larry Best

______________

Current response times to the eastern part of the city can take 12 to 14 minutes. “That is a long time to wait if you’re in an emergency situation,” Best said.

Best said Biddeford has “outstanding” mutual aid agreements in place with several surrounding communities.

“This job requires me to be vigilant and always scanning the horizon for new opportunities and planning ahead for potential challenges,” he said.

Best said he is looking forward to an upcoming workshop meeting with the mayor and city council.

“A workshop meeting is a more relaxed setting than a regular council meeting,” Best said. “This will give the council an opportunity to ask questions and for us to make sure that they have all the information they need or want.”

Editor’s Note: You may view and/or download the Dec. 16 presentation to the city by clicking the link below.

Fire Station PDFDownload

______________

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.

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

Biddeford Politics: Another chapter begins tomorrow

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

Tomorrow, October 1, the Biddeford Gazette will officially begin its coverage of the 2025 municipal elections in Biddeford.

It’s hard to explain why I am so excited about this time of year. I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning.

After working at other newspapers, I began covering news in Biddeford during the month of October, nearly 30 years ago. I jumped right in with almost no historical perspective.

Former mayor Alan Casavant (right) was not happy when I snapped this photo during a tense city council meeting.

I was immediately hooked and fascinated by the city’s political machinations, the stories and the legends.

I found myself intrigued by long-winded tales about people like ‘Babe” Dutremble, “Papa” Lausier and “Tiny” Frechette.

Sure, I was already a lifelong political junkie. At 10 years old, my parents had to pry me from the television as I watched the culmination of the Watergate scandal.

In middle school, I would brag that I had shaken hands with Ed Muskie and Jimmy Carter. Yup, I was a weird kid.

During my junior year of high school, I found myself working in an actual newsroom during a brief internship at the Journal Tribune. We had IBM Selectric typewriters. Everyone in the newsroom drank coffee, most of them smoked – at their desks.

Bob Melville, the city editor, wore his glasses perched on the end of the nose. He referred to me only as “kid.” He almost made me cry when he questioned my loose grasp of the English language.

We got lunches at Poli’s at Five Points, and profanity was acceptable in the workplace. I was working among titans who kept the city’s political players in check.

It was a glorious time. I knew then and there what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to be the next Carl Bernstein.

I feel a special connection to Biddeford City Hall. I am one of the lucky ones. I still remember smoke-filled, off-the-record meetings in “Ward Eight” with guys like Bob Dodge and Bruce Benway, the city’s first manager.

Secrets were carefully revealed. Suggestions were made. Deals were struck – all behind the scenes.

Former City Councilor George “Pete’ Lamontagne discusses a photo collection he helped curate for the Biddeford Mills Museum. The former president of the local textile workers union, (UNITE) Lamontagne became one of the most respected and well-liked members of the city council (Seaver photo)

Back then, there were 11 members of the city council. The city had four at-large representatives. I still remember the meeting when Mayor Donna Dion appointed Maria Martin to fill the vacancy created by her father’s death.

J. Richard “Dick” Martin was another of those local political legends.

Today, I still love the creak and groan of those old wooden stairs that lead to the Council Chamber on the third floor. The smell is the same. If you pause, silent — you can almost hear the whispers of those now ghosts who were so eager to climb those stairs for more than a century.

Today, I am honored to be entrusted by so many people to report the news that happens in Biddeford. It’s not an easy gig, and that’s what makes it great.

In the 1990s, I and my colleagues from the Tribune and Portland Press Herald sat in the back row during council meetings. We respected one another, but we were fiercely competitive.

We would have stabbed one another in the neck for an exclusive story. The people were well served by the local press. I got to work with top-notch reporters like Ted Cohen and Kelley Bouchard.

Over the years, I became more and more immersed in Biddeford politics. I got to interview people like former mayors Michael Cantara and Bonnie Pothier. I listened as former councilor Kitty Goodreau recalled a story about an angry businessman who threatened to “kneecap” a councilor because of a zoning change.

Former mayor Wallace Nutting (center) and former City Councilors John McCurry and Ken Farley devised a plan to “get tough” on MERC, the former waste-to-energy incinerator located in downtown Biddeford (Seaver photo)

Former mayor Alan Casavant once lost an election by one vote because he did not vote for himself (true story).

I vividly recall the battles like a council order to re-route all trash trucks through Saco and the predictable, regular chorus of “Peaker’s Squeakers,” the three men from Biddeford Pool who were politically aligned with Councilor Ron Peaker.

And I cannot forget the marvelous “after council” meetings that would take place at that round corner table tucked away near the bar at the Wonderbar Restaurant.

I would give almost anything to have Vinny Keely pour me another perfect pint of Guiness while I chatted, laughed and fought with people like Jim Grattelo, Kent Webster, Kyle Noble and even my old editor Bob Melville — who didn’t even remember that I briefly sat next to him in a newsroom.

Yup, I am one of the lucky ones.

The next chapter of Biddeford’s ongoing political story begins tomorrow. I only hope for two things:

First, that you find my coverage to be helpful in making your decisions about who should run our city for the next two years. Secondly, that you are unable to figure out which candidates I am personally supporting. Now, let the games begin.

NOTE: For more information about the local issues, elections and candidates, please click THIS LINK

____________________

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

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

Old faces, new faces vying for office in Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

Several potential candidates have taken out qualifying nomination forms for mayor, city council and school committee races in Biddeford.

Some familiar names are hoping to make a political comeback, but there are also several people seeking office who have never served before.

Former City Councilors Roger Hurtubise, John McCurry and Bobby Mills are all hoping to return to the council. Former candidate Gregg Shapiro who ran for an at-large seat on the council in 2023 is making another run for that seat this year. Shapiro has also taken out papers for the Ward Six seat being vacated by Norman Belanger who will be running for mayor this year.

Bobby Mills/Facebook photo

Political newcomers Dominic Deschambault, David Kurtz, Jim LaBelle, Sterling Gray Roop and Abigail Woods have all expressed interest in city council seats. Deschambault has been previously elected to the school committee.

Current councilors Roger Beaupre, Dylan Doughty and Marc Lessard have all indicated that they will seek reelection.

Political heavyweight Lisa Vadnais — a current member of the school committee — has also taken out papers for one of two at-large seats on the council.

In the last two election cycles (2023 and 2021), no one candidate has earned more overall votes than Vadnais. In 2023, she earned 3,374 votes for school committee. The next highest vote-getter was At-Large Councilor Marc Lessard with 3,021 votes and Mayor Martin Grohman with 2,894 votes.

Two years earlier, Vadnais garnered 3,297 votes for her return to the school committee. The next highest vote-getter that year was former mayor Alan Casavant with 3,237 votes, easily fending off a challenge by Victoria Foley for a sixth consecutive term.

City Clerk Robin Patterson said her office will be making weekly updates regarding who has taken out papers and who has turned them in for verification. All elected positions in the city — including mayor, city council and school committee — are up for grabs.

In order to have their names on the November 4 ballot, all candidates must turn in their papers no later than 4p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025.

As of Tuesday, July 29, two candidates — Incumbent Martin Grohman and City Councilor Norman Belanger — have taken out papers for the mayor’s seat. Grohman is currently serving his first term and Belanger is a former council president.

CITY COUNCIL RACES:

Ward One. Incumbent Bill Emhiser will not seek a fourth term. Jim LaBelle, former director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, has expressed interest in that seat, but has not yet taken out nomination forms, according to the city clerk’s office.

Ward Two: Incumbent Scott Whiting announced on social media that he will not seek a third term. Former city council president John McCurry told the Gazette last week that he will seek a return to the council. Abigail Woods, a former city employee, announced on Facebook that she will also seek the seat. Both McCurry and Woods have taken out papers but not returned them.

Former Council President John McCurry, hoping to return to the Ward Two seat.

Ward Three: Incumbent Roger Beaupre is looking for a second term and has already submitted his nomination papers. So far, no other candidates have expressed interest in that seat.

Ward Four: Former Councilor Bobby Mills is once again hoping to make a political comeback. Mills resigned his council seat just four months after the last election, following an interaction with the Biddeford Police Department. Mills also resigned his position as York County Treasurer.

Just days after submitting his resignation, Mills tried to rescind that decision, saying he was pressured by Mayor Marty Grohman to resign. Grohman adamantly denied that claim. Dylan Doughty, a former Planning Board member, was unopposed in a special election to replace Mills. Doughty is hoping to keep the Ward Four seat.

Mills has already turned in his nomination forms.

Political Newcomer Abigail Woods is seeking the Ward 2 seat

Ward Five: Incumbent Neva Gross said she will not seek re-election after being appointed by Mayor Grohman to replace former councilor Julian Schalver who resigned the seat in April 2024. Dominic Deschambault submitted his name for consideration, but Grohman instead chose Gross to fill the seat.

Deschambault has been active in Biddeford policy for more than a decade. He previously served on the school committee; and was chair of the Biddeford Housing Authority’s board of directors. Deschambault also served on the Charter Revision Commitee, Capital Improvements and the Downtown Parking Committee.

Dominic Deschambault has taken out papers for Ward 5 and At-Large

Deschambault also took out papers for an at-large seat on the City Council. He told the Gazette Tuesday that he is not yet sure which seat he will pursue

David Kurtz, a Biddeford attorney and member of the city’s Waste Management Commission, said he has been attending council meetings for the last several months and would like to be more involved in the city’s policy making arena.

Ward Six: Former Councilor Roger Hurtubise is hoping to return to the council. Incumbent Norman Belanger is giving up the seat in order to run for mayor. Hurtubise has already turned in his nomination forms. Gregg Shapiro who ran unsuccessfully for an at-large seat on the council two years ago– has taken out papers for both Ward Six and at-large.

Ward Seven: City Council President Liam LaFountain has not yet taken out nomination forms.

At Large: There is a crowded field for the two available at-large seats. Marc Lessard is hoping to keep his seat. Incumbent Doris Ortiz will not be seeking reelection.

In addition to Deschambault, Lessard, Shapiro and Vadnais, Sterling Gray Roop of Pinewood Circle, has taken out nomination forms for one of the two at-large seats.

For the latest updates, please visit the Gazette’s special section: Biddeford Elections 2025

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

NEVER MISS ANOTHER UPDATE! Subscribe for free today!

Biddeford’s Winterfest 2025 is a hit

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

Hundreds of people flocked to downtown Biddeford on Saturday for the 13th annual Winterfest celebration. The giant sledding hill on Adams Street was once again a popular attraction, but there were also a lot of other things happening, including tours of the newly renovated City Hall clock tower, dancing and music.

The Adams Street sledding hill was again a big favorite during Biddeford’s Winterfest celebration (Seaver photo)

Volunteers from the New Life Church had several tables set up, giving away free donuts, hot chocolate and hats and mittens.

New Life Church volunteer Roland LaFlamme poses with a Winterfest mascot (his wife Maureen) Seaver photo

Children also had the opportunity to see the inside of a fire truck, city plow and the police department’s mobile Crime Scene Unit.

Outdoor temperatures remained above freezing, making this year’s celebration even more enjoyable.

Alannah, 11, gets her fingerprints made by Cpl. Matt Baldwin of the Biddeford Police Department inside the mobile crime scene unit (Seaver photo)

Larry Patoine, one of the event’s lead volunteers, said it will take less than four hours for volunteers to remove the giant sledding hill this evening before another winter storm descends on the city

This year’s hill was constructed with snow from the Five Points Shopping Center. Patoine says the snow from the hill will be disposed of near Rotary Park.

A long line of children anxiously await their chance to experience the giant sledding hill on Adams Street (Seaver photo)

Former mayor Alan Casavant, who helped organize the very first Winterfest (La Fete d’ Hiver) in 2012, said he was pleased to see the festival growing in popularity with each passing year.

“This is what community is all about,” Casavant said. “It’s fun just watching so many people having fun.”

Mayor Marty Grohman struts his stuff during Winterfest (Seaver photo)
A good turnout at this year’s Winterfest in Biddeford (Seaver photo)
Evelyn (left) and Zoe check out what it’s like to ride in a fire truck (Seaver photo)

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

‘Mayor’s Night Out’ event will support fallen officer

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

A group of former mayors and Biddeford’s current mayor are all hoping to run into you at one of several downtown restaurants on Wednesday evening (Feb. 5)

The “Mayor’s Night Out” event will actually be a fundraiser to support the family of Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek, an 18-year veteran of the Biddeford Police Department who was killed in a December traffic accident on his way home from work.

Wolterbeek left behind his wife Julie and three young children under the age of 5.

Mayor Marty Grohman said he has been thinking of different ways to help Wolterbeek’s family over the past few weeks.

“I can’t imagine how hard it has been for them to absorb this awful loss,” Grohman said during a recent interview.

Grohman said he decided to get other mayors and a number of local restaurants involved in the project.

During the event, Grohman and former mayors Alan Casavant and Donna Dion, and Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail will join diners for conversation and connection by visiting participating Biddeford businesses throughout the evening.

Participants will have the opportunity to use a QR code on their smartphones at each location to make a donation to the Trooper Black Foundation, a non-profit organization that will direct the proceeds to the Wolterbeek family.

Some of the participating restaurants and businesses will also donate a portion of their sales during the event to support the Wolterbeek family, according to a press release from the city.

Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail said she was happy to be part of the event. “The cities of Biddeford and Saco are essentially one community, and we’re always looking out for each other,” she said.

Participating business include Cowbell Burger, Sacred Profane, Fish & Whistle, Pizza By Alex, The Garden Bar, Apero, OG’s, Ore Nell’s Barbecue, Banded Brewing, Brickyard Hollow, Round Turn Distilling and the Super Sub Shop.

“Biddeford is a city that shows up for its own,” Grohman said. “This event will be a testament to the strength and compassion of our community. This event is about more than fundraising; it’s about honoring Jacob’s service and standing by his family in their time of need. I hope to see neighbors, friends, and families out for a great cause.”

Former mayor Alan Casavant agreed with Grohman.

“When something like this happens, we all wonder how we can help, how we can come together as a community,” Casavant said. “I like being downtown, so I was more than happy to be involved, and hoping to see a lot of people.”

Those who would like to support the Wolterbeek family but cannot participate in the event may direct donations to the Trooper Black Foundation at https://trooperblackfoundation.org through February 15.

Checks may also be mailed to the Trooper Black Foundation (PO Box 104, Cape Neddick, Maine 03902) and should be marked as designated for the Wolterbeek family.

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!