City touts ‘major success’ in addressing homelessness

April 28, 2025April 29, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

(From city personnel and previous stories by the Biddeford Gazette)

Biddeford city officials say that a new partnership between the city and the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center is delivering “real results” in addressing homelessness, with 43 individuals successfully housed since November through a “coordinated, compassionate approach.”

At the core of this success is what Mayor Marty Grohman describes as a “Weekly Homeless Huddle,” where city and Seeds of Hope staff come together with outreach workers and service providers to identify and assist those most in need. This focused, whole person-centered effort has led directly to dozens of people moving into stable, permanent housing, according to a press release distributed Monday

“This is what progress looks like,” said Grohman. “Thanks to the dedicated team at Seeds of Hope and strong coordination across agencies, we are actively finding solutions to homelessness, one person at a time. All Biddeford residents deserve the opportunity for a safe and healthy existence indoors, and our partnerships are allowing us to make that a reality.”

The partnership model was launched in July 2024 after the closure of a major encampment near Mechanics Park on Water Street. That encampent was highly visible and located across the river from a new, upscale housing development in Saco.

This is a photo of a homeless encampment that was destroyed by the city last year (Seaver photo)

The Biddeford City Council authorized the creation of a temporary overnight center at Seeds of Hope to offer safety and stability. Through a generous grant award, MaineHousing provided additional support to the overnight center throughout the winter months, enabling daytime services on weekends. Connections with key service providers such as The Opportunity Alliance’s PATH program help neighbors access critical resources such as mental health and substance use treatment services.

Although the city was planning to use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to renovate the Seeds of Hope, that funding mechanism hit a snafu earlier this year.

This significant increase in services available at Seeds of Hope since July has enabled staff to develop relationships with neighbors, a key factor for building trust and paving the way for long-term housing placements, according to the mayor’s office.

As more individuals are housed, the organization anticipates a decrease in the number of people needing services, marking a hopeful turning point for the community.

“We are finally seeing the kind of change that comes from sustained, collaborative commitment,” said Vassie Fowler, Executive Director of Seeds of Hope. “When we meet people with dignity and consistent support, housing becomes not just possible, but permanent.”

As spring arrives, we expect to serve fewer people—not because needs are going unmet, but because more and more people are into permanent housing.”

When we meet people with dignity and consistent support,
housing becomes not just possible, but permanent.”
__ Vassie Fowler, executive director, Seeds of Hope

Spokespersons for the city and Seeds of Hope say that they remain committed to this partnership and to expanding opportunities for every resident to live with dignity and stability.

In late April, financial support from MaineHousing for extended weekend hours will conclude, though the City-supported overnight program will continue to operate. Seeds of Hope will build on the strong foundation of success already achieved by providing more focused and intensive coordination of services, and guiding individuals through housing, substance use disorder treatment and mental health resources. There is also on-the-street outreach planned to connect with unhoused neighbors who are not already seeking services.

But there are still funding challenges to provide these services for unhoused residents.

“The work we’ve done so far is just the beginning,” Grohman said. “We’re proving that when we work together with compassion and dedication, real change is possible. Biddeford is building a future where no one is left behind, and we’re going to keep pushing forward until everyone has a place to call home.”

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FEATURE: Not Your Father’s Library

April 26, 2025November 10, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

The acting director of Biddeford’s McArthur Library talks about a never-ending evolution of services and some of the challenges facing downtown libraries

Even to the casual observer, it becomes quickly evident that once you walk through the front door of Biddeford’s McArthur Library – – you are no longer in your father’s library.

Gone are the days of strident, middle-aged ladies admonishing you for the volume of your voice or the mounting late fees on your overdue books.

Today’s libraries have evolved and are working to keep pace with both technology and a changing community. Nowhere is that more evident than inside the McArthur Library.

Originally housed in the “City Building” (City Hall), a devastating fire in 1894 gutted the building and forced the library’s trustees to search for a ‘stand-alone’ location. The library is today housed in the former Pavilion Church on Main Street.

Over the years, the library has been expanded and renovated and continues to be a hub of activity for people of all ages in the downtown area.

Once again, the McArthur Library is facing another transition.

Earlier this year, long-time director Jeff Cabral accepted a position at another library in New Hampshire. While the library’s trustees are in the middle of a search for a new director, Nicole Clark – the Adult Services supervisor – has been serving as a temporary director.

Clark, 31, is a native of Kittery and attended the University of Maine Farmington where she earned a degree in teaching. She taught high school English for a little more than four years but says she became “burned out from teaching” and took a job in the Goodall Library in Sanford before making her way to Biddeford.

We caught up with Clark recently to ask her how the library is changing and adapting and about some of the challenges facing today’s board of trustees.

Why did you switch from teaching high school English and theater to working in a library?

“Teaching was a rewarding career, and I loved working with my students. The changes in education recently, and the expectations put on teachers and just the lack of support that teachers have; I just got burned out. I loved it, but I could tell that I was not myself.

“Working in a library was just a much better fit for me. I fell in love with it. You’re not teaching to a test or facing mounting standards and regulations. I always loved books and helping people. You get to connect people with things that they enjoy, whether it’s literature or a fun program or helping with a bit of research.”

Have you put your hat in the ring to become the library’s next director?

“It’s not something that I was originally considering at all. I like being a librarian, I like connecting with the public, I like the front-facing nature of it. Being a director is oftentimes more the big picture, the behind-the-scenes stuff: administrative tasks, dealing with the stakeholders, the politics and the budget.

“I feel a little back and forth about it because I think this library deserves someone who is passionate about those things. If for some reason, somebody doesn’t come forth who is passionate about all those things and serving the community . . . it just depends on what is best for the library. I would very happy, either way.”

What do you think are some things that the public should know about today’s library?

The library is one of the last places
in the country where you can exist
without the expectation of spending money
— Nicole Clark

“I love that question. In this day and age, the library is not just a repository for books anymore. The library has evolved. Yes, we still have many, many books that we love to connect our patrons with, but we also have a slew of programming for all ages. From author events to children’s story time that connects them with animals or music, to technology classes for seniors.

“This is a place where people come to socialize, to connect with other people; to learn something or to feel a sense of warmth and joy and not have to stress about having to spend money to get that.

“The library is one of the last places in the country where you can exist without the expectation of spending money. The reason we provide all of our services for free is to provide access. That’s one of the biggest things about the library.

“We want people to access information, entertainment; to access everything from WiFi connectivity to a social coffee hour for seniors so that there’s someone to chat with on a Thursday morning, and you don’t have to worry about spending money to do that.”

We all know that you can check out books from the library, but what are some of the other things you can check out for free?

“People may know about our expanding list of DVDs, but we also have a library of things – it’s a recreation collection. People can check out things like fishing poles or a croquet set if you have people over for a barbecue.

“People can check out things that they may not have the money to buy. For example, we check out a telescope so that kids who might be learning about the moon and the stars have access to the resources they need. That can be an expensive item that some parents may not be able to afford.

“We have snowshoes and sleds available in the winter, we have portable DVD players or even a Ukulele.

As libraries evolve, how are you keeping pace with instant, on-demand information resources such as Google or Wikipedia?

“You can ask Google anything, but you can’t necessarily be sure that the information is accurate, but a professional librarian can help you look at information sources that are trustworthy and cross-reference.

“On the other hand, we are embracing technology, providing people with a quiet space to do their own research. We offer free WiFi throughout the building, and we also provide free phone chargers and access to public computers.

“We provide free access to things like Ancestry.com without the paywall you would have to pay for at home.”

Recently, there has been some negative chatter on social media about unhoused persons ‘loitering’ at the library.

“A public library is a library for everybody. We are here to provide safe, warm, welcoming and equitable access for everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, age or anything to do with their identity.

“We do have a significant population of people who are unhoused in the downtown area, and the library being one of the places where they are not expected to spend money, and where they can be warm, safe and charge their devices and take a break from some of their struggles.

“We are definitely an open-door to them and to those who are not going through that. The majority of our unhoused visitors are just lovely human beings. We love getting to know them and learning about the things that interest them.

“As with any population, there are some folks who have challenges and bring those challenges into the library. We do have a security officer who is just a wonderful human being. He gets to know just about everybody who comes into the library.

On the issue of unhoused people, the library has an upcoming event regarding the issues of homelessness in Maine.

“Yes, we’re looking forward to the free Biddeford screening of a documentary that showcases stories from Maine with a message that there is hope to ending the suffering of homelessness.

“After the film, we will be hosting a panel discussion with from local folks such as Jake Hammer from the city of Biddeford’s General Assistance office and Vassie Fowler from Seeds of Hope. That will be taking place on May 29^th at 6 p.m.

You have a new program starting soon about downtown.

“Yes! The theme of our summer reading program this year is “Summer on Main Street.” We will be working with different businesses here downtown. Especially amidst the construction and detours to encourage foot traffic to all businesses downtown.

“We’ll be offering raffles, gift cards and lots of fun ways for people to connect with downtown and all the businesses here.”

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No more trash containers at Rotary Park

April 5, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

The city of Biddeford is launching a “Carry-in, Carry-out” pilot program at Rotary Park for the 2025 season.

When the new initiative begins this spring, Rotary Park will not have trash receptacles in any outdoor areas of the park and visitors are asked to bring home any of their trash, including pet waste, after spending time in the park.

According to a press release from the city, the new policy is intended to “remove unsightly trash from parks that wildlife can get into and make a mess,”

City officials say the new policy also discourages pests from the parks in picnic and play areas. “Wasps, bees and other rodents are naturally attracted to trash, which can create an unpleasant environment for visitors,” according to the press release.

*Rotary Park is located on outer Main Street and includes recreational facilities, including a dog park and small boat launch area (City of Biddeford photo)*

“We are excited to launch this new initiative in our community and hope to see both environmental and financial benefits from the change,” said Lisa Thompson, the city’s recreation director.

“It currently takes two city employees two to three days per week to empty all the trash cans that are located throughout the city,” Thomson said. “By reducing the number of city trash cans, our staff’s time and the cost savings from paying to dispose of garbage can be redirected to improve our parks in other ways.”

The pilot program will be assessed throughout the season, with a goal of extending it to all city parks and beaches in future years if the desired outcomes from the program are met.

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Chamber director announces pending departure

March 13, 2025April 26, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

After nearly seven years at the helm, Jim LaBelle announced Thursday that he will be stepping down as executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry.

LaBelle, 60, said he plans to stay in place and help the Chamber with its transition to new leadership.

“It’s not an easy decision because I really enjoy what I am doing,” LaBelle said during a telephone interview. “I’m just at a point in my life where I want to take a step back and focus on my personal life and goals.”

LaBelle said he is proud of his accomplishments at the Chamber, most notably a significant increase in membership, from the mid-300s to more than 460 members today.

“We have held more than 100 ribbon cuttings, and this community has experienced unprecedented economic growth,” LaBelle said. “I live in this community. I love this community, and I will be forever rooting for this community.”

LaBelle said he believes the Chamber needs to be continually evolving in order to better serve its members and the overall business community.

“The next leader will need to be visionary,” LaBelle said. “Hopefully someone a bit younger with fresh ideas to make sure that the Chamber remains relevant well into the future.”

LaBelle, known for his trademark optimism, admits that he has always been a glass-half-full person. “It’s easy to be optimistic in this community,” he said.

“He’s basically working all alone, and yet he’s always ready to dig in.
Always looking for ways to help. It will not be easy to fill his shoes.”
— Mayor Marty Grohman

Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman had nothing but praise for LaBelle and his performance as the Chamber’s executive director.

“Jim has been truly incredible,” Grohman said. “He makes it look easy, but he has done so many positive things for the community.”

A few years ago, Grohman served on the Chamber’s board of directors and today the mayor is an ex-officio member of the Chamber.

“From behind the scenes, I can tell you that Jim is one of those people. He’s the guy with the enthusiasm and the optimism. He’s basically working all alone, and yet he’s always ready to dig in. Always looking for ways to help. It will not be easy to fill his shoes.”

LaBelle said running the Chamber has not always been easy, pointing to the Covid pandemic. “You know, the Chamber is all about bringing people together, and we had to figure out how to do that without actually getting together in person,” he laughed.

LaBelle also looked for ways to capitalize on technology, and the use of social media to promote the community. During his tenure, a Chamber employee created what would become one of the area’s most prolific Facebook community groups. Today, the Biddeford+Saco Community page is no longer managed by the Chamber but has more than 18,000 members.

But for all of its benefits, social media proved to have its own pitfalls, continually requiring more time to moderate and manage the online forum.

For his part, LaBelle said he is looking forward to having some more down time. He’s not exactly sure what his future will look like, but says a change of pace will allow him the opportunity to take stock of where he is and where he wants to be.

“I have been really lucky so far,” he said. “Now, I’m just looking at the future as a blank page, but there is no doubt that I am going to miss the opportunity I had while working here.”

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City denies FOIA/FOAA requests

March 6, 2025April 26, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

The city of Biddeford has denied the Biddeford Gazette’s request to release an internal email regarding the abrupt departure of former City Manager James Bennett on Feb. 20.

The Gazette first learned that Bennett was leaving his post early by obtaining a February .20 email that was distributed to all municipal employees.

The Gazette subsequently learned that another internal email was shared among individual members of the Biddeford City Council regarding Bennett’s sudden departure. Under both the federal and state public access laws, the Biddeford Gazette asked for a copy of that second email.

Today, City Attorney Harry Center sent an email, denying the Gazette’s request based on state law that prohibits the city from public disclosure of personnel records. A copy of Center’s letter can be found below:

For the first time since Bennett left office, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman released a public statement about the issue:

Grohman’s unedited remarks:

“As of February 20, 2025, City Manager James Bennett is on Paid Administrative Leave. This is a personnel matter and pursuant to state statute, Title 30A MRS Section 2702, personnel matters are designated as confidential.

At its March 4 meeting, the City Council passed an Order appointing Chief Operating Officer Brian Phinney as Acting City Manager. With over 20 years of leadership experience in Biddeford, Mr. Phinney is well-prepared to oversee city operations. Additionally, our Department Heads are strong, capable leaders who will ensure that city services continue to run smoothly.

The City and its elected officials are unable to comment further on City Manager Bennett’s leave as it is a personnel matter. However, I want to reassure our residents that the city remains in good hands, and we remain committed to delivering high-quality services and advancing key projects and priorities.

The City Council and I appreciate the community’s engagement and will continue to provide updates as appropriate.”

Seaver letter – FOIA Request Download

RELATED:

Saco Bay News: Biddeford city manager on administrative leave (March 6, 2025)

Biddeford-Saco Courier: :Biddeford City Manager will not return (March 6, 2025)

OPINION | The Times, They Are A Changin’

March 5, 2025April 26, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

The news was inevitable, but still sad.

We learned yesterday that the weekly Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier will no longer be printed and now accessible only in digital form, online.

This is just part of a global trend in the newspaper industry. Let’s face facts. The cost of printing and distribution are significant.

But while technology marches onward, there are still many painful consequences. Nearly 50 employees got layoff notices yesterday from the Courier’s parent company, the Maine Trust for Local News.

Regardless of how you feel about evolving technology, we are entering an era that is making human workers more irrelevant with each passing day.

It’s not just newspapers. There are no more phone books. No more encyclopedia salesmen. EZ Pass reduces the need for human toll booth workers. Self-checkout at the grocery store, shopping online and using ATM cards are all part of the equation.

For older people who may be a bit skittish about apps, streaming television and AI (artificial intelligence), many of these changes (advancements?) are uncomfortable, if not downright terrifying.

When my children were growing up, I often told them: “Your environment does not adapt to you. You must adapt to your environment.” It’s a matter of survival.

Video Killed the Radio Star

I have written several columns about the media, advancing technology and consumer trends when it comes to news distribution, including this rather recent post: Pour Some Sugar on Me

But this latest news about the Courier leaves me feeling a bit nostalgic and a bit sad.

I am personally connected to this story nine ways from Sunday.

Let’s backup for a second. For more than 50 years, newspapers have been part of my life, first as a paperboy for the York County Coast Star, the Journal Tribune and the Portland Press Herald.

I dreaded Sundays because the weight of those Maine Sunday Telegram issues were more than twice as thick as their daily counterparts and quite heavy. I had to break my route up on Sundays simply because I could not fit all of the papers into my over-the-shoulder sack.

Even as a young boy, I had a fascination with news and politics. In high school, I even landed a short gig as an intern in the Journal Tribune’s newsroom.

Over the years, I wrote for a few different publications, but it was the Courier where I made my mark.

It was the Courier that launched my connection to the same exact communities where I grew up. The Courier became my life. Had I not been the Courier’s editor for a few years, I would not have met my wife.

Today, I own and operate an online-only “newspaper.”

I was lucky enough to work for the Courier back in the good ol’ days, when the paper was still locally owned and operated.

I very much doubt that the Courier’s current owners have even visited Biddeford, but still, they have the audacity to promote the paper by describing its coverage as “hyper-local.”

Ummm . . . not really hyper-local . . . . whatever that is supposed to mean.

It’s been a long time since I have seen a Courier reporter cover City Hall. I did not see a reporter from the Courier at this year’s Winterfest festival.

When Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman scheduled a community event to support the family of a fallen police officer, the Courier was not there to cover it, but did publish a story a few days later. Liz Gotthelf from Saco Bay News was there. I was there, representing the Biddeford Gazette but that was it for media coverage during the actual event.

Make no mistake. It’s not the reporter’s fault. It is a situation playing out in newsrooms all over the country, where ad revenue trumps news coverage.

I very much doubt that the Courier’s current owners have even visited Biddeford, but still, they have the audacity to promote the paper by describing its coverage as “hyper-local.”

I Want To Be Sedated

Sydney Richelieu is today the primary reporter for the Courier. Her editors expect her to cover six communities every single week. Think about that for a minute.

Richelieu is responsible for covering news in Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. I don’t care who you are or how hard you work, that beat is a really big nut to crack.

Consider this. When I left the Courier in 2006, we had four full-time reporters (including me) covering the same geographic area.

Today, the Maine Trust for Local News expects one reporter to cover the same beat that was previously covered by four reporters. The Maine Trust for Local News has set Sydney up for failure even before she inherited the beat last year.

The folks at the Maine Trust for Local News love to bloviate about their dedication to “local journalism,” but maybe they should put some of their money into the newsroom, you know? Local journalism?

The Courier and the Portland Press Herald are both owned and operated by the same company, so don’t expect the state’s largest daily newspaper to step in and fill in the cracks. The way they see it, Biddeford and Saco are already covered.

Newspapers – including both tabs (tabloids) and broadsheets — are printed in four-page increments. In order to cover costs, roughly 60 percent of the newspaper needs to be covered by paid advertisements.

When I left the Courier, we were consistently publishing 44-page papers. Today, the Courier is merely a shadow of itself, hovering around 16 pages (not including advertising inserts).

I’ll close with some good news for the Courier. This move by their parent company removes their handcuffs of being published just once a week. Now they can more effectively compete with the other digital publications in this area, Saco Bay News and the Biddeford Gazette.

Being online allows journalists to be nimbler, to be in a better position to scoop some breaking news. Something that hasn’t happened at the Courier in a long time.

As a Biddeford resident who appreciates and values local news from a variety of sources, I hope that this recent transition returns the Courier to its rightful position as a competitive, local news source.

We’ll see.

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Biddeford-Saco Courier will no longer be printed, online only

March 4, 2025April 26, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

According to its parent company, the Biddeford-Saco Courier — and several other weekly publications — will no longer be printed and will only be available online.

The Courier and many other newspapers throughout southern Maine, including daily and weekly publications, are owned by the Maine Trust for Local News.

Carolyn Fox, executive editor of the Maine Trust for Local News, said the decision was “difficult,” but pointed out that a dwindling number of people rely on printed publications as their primary news source.

“To sustain and grow impactful journalism in Maine, we have to meet our readers where they are,” Fox said. “Our digital expansion creates a stronger foundation for the Maine Trust, and we’re excited to build on that in partnership with the communities we serve.”

The move to a digital platform will result in 49 layoffs of employees who print and distribute the newspapers. Fox said her company is planning to add employees to its newsrooms later this year.

The Biddeford-Saco Courier — a free weekly publication — was created and launched by David and Carolyn Flood of Saco in 1989. The paper was distributed in residential neighborhoods and available on newstands.

The Floods — who now live in Delaware — sold the Courier and several of its sister publications to the publishers of the Journal Tribune in 2007. The daily Journal Tribune newspaper closed its doors in 2019.

Flood said he was surprised by the announcement but acknowledged the industry trend. “Personally, I think printed papers are easier to read,” Flood said.

Liz Gotthelf, the publisher of Saco Bay News — another online news source in the Biddeford-Saco area — said she was not surprised by the announcement.

“To sustain and grow impactful journalism in Maine,
we have to meet our readers where they are,”
– Carolyn Fox, executive editor, Maine Trust for Local News

“I think publishing local news online is a way to reach a wider range of readers,” Gotthelf said. “By focusing on a digital platform, it makes things so much easier and less expensive. Also, there are not many places that have a printing press.”

Currently, the Courier’s online presence is connected to its parent company’s web site, which can only be accessed with a paid subscription. The Courier has always been a free publication, so it remains unclear if readers will be able to access the publication without a subscription.

Both Flood and Gotthelf say they will be closely watching the Courier’s transition.

People seeking local news and information in the Biddeford-Saco area will now have three online media outlets to choose from, including the Biddeford Gazette and Saco Bay News.

Laura Seaver, publisher of the Biddeford Gazette, said the announcement was expected for a long time. “This puts everyone on a level playing field,” she said.

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Political gamesmanship threatens vulnerable Mainers

March 3, 2025April 1, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By HENRY INGWERSEN, State senator

The last time I wrote to you, I spoke about the importance of MaineCare, our state’s version of the Medicaid program. MaineCare provides health care to low-income families and children, people with disabilities and pregnant women, and is overwhelmingly supported by Maine people.

I also wrote about how Maine faces the same challenge as many red and blue states – the cost of health care is rising and state budgets are having a hard time keeping up.

This fiscal year, which runs until the end of June 2025, we face a $117 million gap in MaineCare. If unaddressed, providers already facing financial challenges would be put in an even more difficult situation. In some dire cases, providers could be forced to shut their doors – and when those doors shut, they shut for all of us.

In the last month, members of the Legislature’s budget committee worked hard to reach a bipartisan agreement on a supplemental budget that would fix this gap and get funding out the door quickly.

I was very pleased when, in early February, they reached a deal and voted unanimously to recommend passage of the supplemental budget to the full legislature. However, my Republican colleagues suddenly walked back on the deal and began insisting that to earn their support, we would need to make cuts to MaineCare and housing assistance.

While I disagree with these cuts, these are large policy conversations that can certainly be had as the Legislature moves to construct a biennial budget – which covers the next two fiscal years – in the coming weeks. Right now, Maine people are counting on us to keep MaineCare afloat and to do it quickly.

A unique aspect of Maine law requires a two-thirds vote in the Maine House and Senate to approve emergency funding, which means strong, bipartisan support. Without this two-thirds vote needed to get this funding out the door, the Department of Health and Human Services will begin cutting back funds owed to hospitals, nursing homes, and home and community-based services as early as March.

We have continued to hold votes, and Republicans continue to oppose the plan they had previously agreed to. The more votes we take, the less I understand why there is opposition.
–State Sen. Henry Ingwersen

We have continued to hold votes, and Republicans continue to oppose the plan they had previously agreed to. The more votes we take, the less I understand why there is opposition. Our most rural communities rely heavily on keeping MaineCare functional – 45 percent of folks in Washington County; 40 percent in Aroostook County and an average of 37 percent across Oxford, Franklin, Somerset and Piscataquis counties are enrolled in MaineCare.

Many of us in the Legislature are here to make sure that our rural areas are not left behind.

In addition to the people covered by MaineCare in these areas, the small health care providers that strengthen our small towns are at most risk of harm. The Maine Primary Care Association recently told the Press Herald, “Health centers operate in small, rural towns in each county, and are also present and essential in Maine’s bigger cities; like many other health care providers, they are not designed to weather endless instability in payments.”

As I’ve learned in my time on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, Maine already has many “care deserts” across our state, forcing folks to travel long distances to get the services they need. I am deeply worried that not approving this funding means the problem would only get worse.

Every day in Augusta, as I chair the Health and Human Services Committee, I hear more stories of folks struggling with access to health care. Folks like Vickie, from Norway, who shared how her insurance did not cover services she felt would have made a real difference in her mental health care.

We need to be moving forward on health care access, not backward. I stand ready to support critical funding for MaineCare, and I hope my colleagues will join me to find a path forward for Maine people.

The people of my district and the rest of Maine are not the least bit interested in the political games taking place here in Augusta. They want to make sure that they continue to get the quality health care they deserve for their families. They deserve no less from us.

As always, if you have any questions about the information here or if you would like to reach out with a comment, question or concern, you can reach out to me any time. If you want to stay up-to-date on what we’re working on in Augusta, please sign up for my email newsletter at mainesenate.org or visit my Facebook page at facebook.com/IngwersenForMaine.

Henry Ingwersen represents District 32 in the Maine Senate, which includes Biddeford and the surrounding communities of Arundel, Dayton, Hollis and Lyman. He can be reached at Henry.Ingwersen@legislature.maine.gov or 207-287-1515

Editor’s note: The views expressed here are those of the author. If you would like to contribute an opinion column, please contact us at biddefordgazette@gmail.com This column was also published in the Biddeford-Saco Courier

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Biddeford Deserves Better | OPINION

February 26, 2025April 1, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

I honestly don’t get it.

Six days ago, I broke and published a news story that Biddeford City Manager James Bennett was abruptly removed from his post.

Bennett, well-known in several communities throughout Maine, capped off his nine-year stint in Biddeford under a cloud of mystery. Six days ago.

I understand why the city is keeping tight-lipped, but I cannot believe that I am the only reporter in southern Maine asking questions. Six days!

The rumors are swirling, and yet every other media outlet in southern Maine is either unwilling or unable to cover the story.

If I had not published my story, the people of Biddeford would have almost no way of knowing what is happening at City Hall. Six days! Really?

I get that I have an unfair advantage because I have been covering Biddeford longer than anyone else and have developed a healthy Rolodex of sources, but six days??

This is a disservice to the people of Biddeford. This community deserves better than just my reporting.

I understand, maybe it’s difficult or embarrassing for other media outlets to acknowledge that I have been running circles around them on a zero-dollar budget for the past two months while only wearing boxer shorts in my basement and often forgetting to put in my dentures . . . but come on! Six days!

No wonder local government officials think they can do whatever they want. No one is apparently watching.

Yesterday, there was a glimmer of hope. A reporter from the Portland Press Herald sent me an email, asking me if I would share my source of the e-mail that was sent to city workers last week. I declined but offered to point her in the right direction. Then? Silence.

Seriously? Six days?

Pathetic.

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Councilor explains Biddeford budget process

February 25, 2025May 9, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By Liam LaFountain

Every year, the city makes difficult choices about where to invest tax dollars — from public safety and road repairs to parks and essential services. Budget season is when those decisions take shape.

The city budget is more than numbers — it’s a fiscal statement of what Biddeford values and how much we value it. It determines funding for schools, emergency services, infrastructure, and other priorities. Every dollar spent reflects a choice about the kind of city we want and the future we are building together.

Biddeford’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, meaning we are currently operating under the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The budget now under review will determine spending for FY2026, which begins July 1, 2025.

*Biddeford City Council President Liam LaFountain (Courtesy photo)*

Over the next few months, elected officials will balance priorities and make difficult choices. This process is one of the most comprehensive and consequential in local government, and understanding it empowers residents to engage effectively.

How the Budget Process Works

Each department submits a budget based on projected needs for the next fiscal year. Department heads submitted their requests in January. For example, Public Works must estimate how much salt will be needed for winter storms, a costly but essential factor. The Fire Department may request new life-saving equipment for emergency response. Other departments, from Police to Recreation, have needs ranging from staffing to facility maintenance, utility costs, and programming that must be balanced with competing needs and limited resources.

These requests go to the City Manager’s Office and Finance Department, which review and adjust them to balance needs with available revenues. This process, completed in February, ensures the proposed budget reflects department expertise and fiscal oversight before being submitted to the City Council in March.

How the City Council Reviews the Budget

Once submitted, the City Council forms the Budget Committee, which includes all councilors, to review the budget in depth. The committee meets regularly — typically on Monday and Thursday evenings for several months — to refine the budget.

The first few meetings provide an overview of each department’s budget, where department heads present their proposals and answer questions. These meetings, held in Council Chambers, are open to the public. The city’s website will provide a calendar of meetings, public hearings, and deadlines, ensuring residents have multiple opportunities to follow the process and provide input.

Every budget should reflect the values of the people it serves.
This is your money, your city, and your budget.
— Councilor Liam LaFountain

Key Cost Drivers: Why Costs Rise

The FY2025 municipal budget totaled $44.8 million, with the largest shares allocated to Public Safety ($14.2M) and Public Works ($5.9M). This does not include the $47.3 million school budget, which is managed separately by the School Committee.

Property taxes remain the primary funding source for municipal operations, as other revenue sources do not fully account for the level and quantity of services the city provides. While Biddeford also relies on state revenue sharing, tax programs like Homestead and BETE, and other revenue such as building permits and user fees, these sources covered only 35% of municipal expenses in FY2025, leaving property taxes to fund the remaining 65%.

As state revenue sharing and school funding formulas shift costs to municipalities like ours, Biddeford taxpayers have absorbed a greater financial share. Rising wages, energy expenses, and infrastructure needs continue to drive costs higher annually.

Additionally, unfunded state and federal mandates require municipalities to cover new expenses without additional funding, adding to financial pressures. Balancing rising costs while maintaining essential services is a key challenge.

How to Engage in the Process

Public input is crucial. Residents can participate by:

Attending public hearings and Budget Committee meetings (dates available on the city’s website).
Reviewing budget documents, available on the city’s website.
Contacting city councilors with questions or concerns.
Following updates through city communications and local media.

Every budget should reflect the values of the people it serves. This is your money, your city, and your budget. The choices made in this municipal budget will help shape Biddeford’s services, infrastructure, and priorities. Your engagement ensures a more informed and responsive budget.

If you have thoughts on priorities or questions about the budget process, please contact your city councilor. These discussions help shape the decisions that will impact our city’s future.

The views expressed in this column are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Biddeford City Council.

Liam LaFountain serves as president of the Biddeford City Council. He can be contacted at liam.lafountain@biddefordmaine.org

Editor’s note: This column is not exclusive to the Gazette. It was also published in the Biddeford-Saco Courier

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Biddeford’s Housing Crisis: The experts speak

February 12, 2025April 1, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 4 Comments

Editor’s Note: This is the second installment of our three-part series regarding Biddeford’s housing crisis.

A panel of experts offered their perspectives and guidance regarding Biddeford’s housing crisis during a special city council workshop meeting earlier this week.

For more than two hours, the nine panelists each offered their professional insights and took questions from both councilors and members of the public Tuesday evening.

Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman described the workshop as a necessary “first step” for city officials who are trying to find innovative solutions for a problem that shows no signs of going away.

While Biddeford has seen recent success in attracting development of market-rate housing units, the city is still struggling with “affordable housing” options and a low inventory of single-family homes for young families, often described as “starter homes.”

RELATED: Biddeford grapples with housing crisis (Part One)

“We have a beautiful, dynamic and growing city,” Grohman said as he kicked off the discussion. “We’re in our 12^th straight year of enrollment growth in schools. It’s immensely positive that we’re growing, and seeing this type of pressure on housing, but it’s also immensely challenging.”

George Gervais, the city’s director of economic and community development, started the meeting by providing an overview of the city’s current housing status.

According to Gervais, the city today has 10,576 housing units. Of those units, 9,431 are occupied, according to data from the 2020 Census.

Gervais said rental units make up slightly more than 52 percent of the city’s occupied housing.

Average monthly rents in Biddeford range between $1,700 and $3,200, ranging from studio apartments to three-bedroom units, Gervais said.

The average home values in Biddeford have risen by roughly five percent during the last year. The average home value in the city is slightly more than $478,000.

One of the city’s biggest challenges, however, is that area wages are not keeping pace with increasing housing costs.

“We have quite a bit coming at Biddeford,” Gervais said outlining the horizon in which more than 2,100 units of housing are currently in some form of development. “That’s a pretty impressive number,” he added.

The new development numbers include projects that are either under construction, under review by permitting agencies or projects that are conceived but have not yet gone through the permitting process.

Gervais said 319 of those units are planned as affordable housing units in which rental costs are calculated by the area’s median income (AMI).

During an earlier interview, Grohman said the city council has set a goal of creating 180 units of affordable housing each year over the next five years.

What the experts say

The panelists were broken into three main groups, focused on affordable housing; market-rate housing and a housing finance development panel. The panel also included a presentation regarding state government housing resources from Benjamin Averill, Housing Opportunity Program coordinator for the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

“Today, Biddeford is the place to be.
“It’s the cool place.
That’s great but it also poses problems.”
–Guy Gagnon, Biddeford Housing Authority

Guy Gagnon, executive director of the Biddeford Housing Authority, said Biddeford has undergone some dramatic changes in the last 15 years, pointing out that he joined the quasi-governmental agency in 2010.

Gagnon, a Biddeford native, said he is especially troubled by the fact that so many kids who grew up in Biddeford can no longer afford to live here. “I see my friends’ kids and even my own children being forced to look elsewhere for housing,” Gagnon said.

“It used to be that Biddeford was the second, third, fourth or even fifth choice when people were looking for homes,” Gagnon said. “Today, however, Biddeford is the place to be. It’s the cool place. That’s great but it also poses problems.”

Gagnon said the city needs to be creative and willing to look at alternatives that include modular housing and mobile home parks.

“It may not be for everyone,” Gagnon said, “but it may be for some people. Biddeford should be the community that thinks outside of the box.”

Kevin Bunker of Developers Collaborative said the city needs to stay aware of what is happening at the Legislature, especially in regard to statewide housing policies and assistance for affordable housing development.

“Those resources are limited and the state is facing a challenging budget,” Bunker said. “You need to remember that they are also trying to keep up with a huge demand.”

John Laliberte, the CEO of Reveler Development, provided an overview of his company’s projects in Biddeford, including 73 apartments at Riverdam, Phases One and Two of The Levee project and the recently offered market-rate units at The Eddy on Barra Road.

“We have had a lot of success in Biddeford,” Laliberte said. “There is a big demand for this type of housing, but our main challenge remains being able to attract the private capital necessary to get these projects off the ground.”

A common theme throughout the evening was centered upon the need to make the development process more streamlined and efficient to reduce costs for both renters and buyers.

Although not members of the expert panel, local real estate developers Chico Potvin and Matt Chamberlain both spoke during the public comment period, detailing how hard it is to get a project from design to out of the gate development.

Potvin, 61, said he has been building “starter homes” in the Biddeford area since 1987.

He said the city’s shortage of available single-family homes is “forcing people into apartments and making it harder for people to find apartments. “It’s a vicious cycle,” he said.

Potvin said his biggest challenges include skyrocketing labor costs and a growing myriad of red tape that cause time delays and increases building costs.

“Every year, the regulations increase,” Potvin said, questioning why the council chose to fund needed city-wide sewer improvements on the backs of new homebuyers.

“Almost every day I get calls from friends and other people asking what I can do for them,” he said. “They don’t want to wait two years for a project to get approved. I feel bad. The city needs to buckle down and treat housing the same way as you treated land for industrial parks.”

Potvin also said he is nervous about all the high-end apartments being built in Biddeford. “It scares me,” he said. “I’m not sure if it’s sustainable.”

Cat Bates said he grew up in Kennebunk and moved to Biddeford almost five years ago. He said he would like to see the city do a better job in streamlining the approval process for Accessory Dwelling Units and said it should be easier to get bank financing for that type of development.

City Councilor Doris Ortiz previously chaired the council’s affordable housing task force, and said she would like to see the city be creative in its approach to creating housing, including co-ops and micro developments.

Editor’s Note: The city has created an open portal for public comment and questions on the city’s website, where you can also find more information and documents about the housing workshop meeting.

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NEWSLETTER: From Me to You

February 8, 2025February 8, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Hard to believe it’s been two weeks since our last newsletter. A big thank you to all of you who have decided to join us on this journey by subscribing and/or following and liking us on Facebook.

A quick review:

Things at the Biddeford Gazette have been moving quickly and there are exciting changes on the horizon, but let’s take a quick look back:

In the last two weeks, we have posted nine stories, including six exclusive news stories, a contributed column from State Rep. Marc Malon, and a somewhat fun opinion piece about Biddeford’s quirky penchant for creating an ever-growing list of municipal committees, boards and commissions.

*Winterfest returns to Biddeford today! (Devin Wright photo)*

But there are two stories that really stick out for me this week, including the first installment of our three-part series regarding Biddeford’s housing crisis. I had to do three installments because there are just so many moving pieces to this complex puzzle, and I want to explore all of the angles.

If housing is a concern of yours, the Biddeford City Council will host a special workshop meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 11, beginning at 5:30 p.m. There will be an opportunity for public comment. You can choose to watch the meeting online. Click here for more info about that meeting

The other story was much tougher to write. Our community came together this week to honor and support the family of a Biddeford police officer who was killed in a traffic accident in December.

I have been doing this work off and on for decades. The hardest part of the job is interviewing people when they are grappling with crippling grief and loss.

My colleague Liz Gotthelf and I respectfully remained in a corner while we waited for Police Chief JoAnne Fisk to ask Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek’s parents if they would be willing to speak with the media.

Even with their permission – and gratitude – it is still the hardest part of the job, and you want to do your very best to capture the story with precision, empathy and respect.

*Many officers of the Biddeford Police Department are wearing wrist bands that honor the memory of Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek (Seaver photo)*

Community Feedback:

We have received some very good feedback, suggestions and guidance from the community. Not a day goes by when I don’t hear encouraging and supportive words from my neighbors, friends and others who care deeply about Biddeford.

One person suggested that we should change and darken the font on our site to make it more readable. Done. Another person suggested that we should add an events calendar to our site. We are working on that and hope to launch a dedicated page for community events by the end of the month.

Another person who I greatly respect, told me she is enjoying reading the Gazette but advised me to slow down a bit. She said I should consider taking a day off once in a while.

Another person suggested that we try to shorten some of our stories to make them more readable. I have now imposed a 750-word limit on myself.

However, the most popular part of the Biddeford Gazette is our weekly publishing of obituaries that are updated on our website daily. Unlike other publications, we provide this service at no charge to the families or funeral homes. We consider it a public service. With the combined resources of our social media partners, we have access to more than 35,000 readers.

One former local politician asked me why I showcase other media outlets on the Biddeford Gazette’s Facebook page.

It’s part of our mission, I explained. We are here to promote Biddeford news, regardless of where it comes from. We simply post a link to the other guys so that when you click on their stories, our Facebook page takes you directly to their site, not our site.

No other media outlet does that: promoting news stories from other media outlets. We do it to make it easier for you to stay on top of what’s happening from a wide variety of sources.

In just the last week, I have shared stories from Saco Bay News, the Biddeford-Saco Courier, WGME-TV and WMTW-TV. Make sure to like and follow the Biddeford Gazette on Facebook so that you stay completely up to date.

What’s ahead?

We have a lot of things in the works. After all, it’s been less than 30 days since we officially launched this site.

Don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. In addition to chocolates and greeting cards, maybe you could throw a little love our way by subscribing to our site, and following us on Facebook.

Enjoy Winterfest this weekend!

As always, thank you so much for reading!

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Biddeford’s Housing Crisis: Part One

February 6, 2025April 8, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 4 Comments

Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of a three-part series that examines Biddeford’s housing crisis.

A large conference table takes up the center of Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman’s second-floor office at City Hall. On that table is a large aerial photo of the city’s downtown area, where several new housing projects are either under construction or in development.

Grohman can’t help but to get excited when talking about the city’s potential for growth and prosperity, but he is also mindful of the struggles the city still faces in terms of increasing rental costs, home prices and the lack of affordable housing.

“It’s a big mix,” said Grohman during a recent interview with the Biddeford Gazette. “There are a lot of moving parts and they are all connected.”

All across Maine, cities and towns are struggling to keep pace with their community’s housing needs.

*Mayor Marty Grohman points to several housing projects that are in development throughout the city’s downtown area.*

“It’s not just Biddeford,” Grohman explains. “It’s virtually everywhere, and we – as elected leaders – have a responsibility to be part of the solution for this problem.”

In his search for creative solutions, Grohman is convening a special workshop meeting of the Biddeford City Council to address housing issues on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

At that workshop meeting, which will include an opportunity for public commentary, councilors and city officials will review the city’s goals and progress in meeting the various housing demands throughout the city.

For example, Grohman says the city council last year set a goal of creating 180 units of “affordable housing” each year over the next five years.

But even the term “affordable housing” creates confusion and resentment.

“A lot of this is subjective,” Grohman said. “What is affordable for one person may not be affordable for another person.”

In order to qualify for state and federal tax credits, affordable housing rental costs are based upon the region’s Area Median Income (AMI). The federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses a formula that calculates rental rates at 80 percent of AMI.

According to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, Biddeford’s median income is $63, 261 per household or $32,763 for an individual.

For comparison purposes, the AMI in Saco is $81,326 per household or $44,596 for an individual.

Both the federal and state government use AMI data (and other measurements, such as total assessed property values) to determine a community’s need for federal grants and school funding.

“Our housing problems also adversely impact people who already have stable housing,”
State Rep. Traci Gere

While some people say that Biddeford’s population growth is creating an unsustainable spike in demand for housing, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows only modest gains in the city’s population over the last 10 years.

Today, the city of Biddeford is listed with a population of 22,367 people, the largest of any of York County’s 46 municipalities. In 2000, the city’s population was 20,942. In fact, Biddeford’s population has actually decreased by 0.5 percent in just the last two years.

Like other urban centers throughout Maine, Biddeford has a notable population of unhoused residents, a problem Grohman says the city is fighting every day.

But the city is also facing some other serious housing issues, including a lack of so-called “work-force” housing options.

“If you talk with any of our department heads, whether it’s the school superintendent, the police chief or the fire chief, they will all tell you how hard it is to hire and retain new employees,” Grohman says. “We’re not going to get new teachers or police officers in our community if those people cannot afford to live here. It’s a big problem.”

Members of Biddeford’s legislative delegation all agree with Grohman’s assessment that housing is a big part of a growing problem in attracting workers and private businesses to the city.

Local legislative delegation rolling up its sleeves to tackle housing

“There are so many facets that fit under the umbrella of housing issues,” said State Rep. Traci Gere during a previous interview with the Gazette. This issue runs the gamut, she said, pointing out that roughly eight percent of Maine homeowners occupy manufactured housing.

Gere and other local lawmakers are hoping the Legislature will be able to help cities and towns across the state in revising zoning standards and cutting bureaucratic red tape, a problem that many developers say drives up the cost of housing.

“Our housing problems also adversely impact people who already have stable housing,” Gere said. “If we want a sustainable local tax base — and relief for homeowners — we have to find a way to help businesses maintain a stable pool of employees. For example, a hospital cannot function without support personnel, such as custodians or clerical workers.”

House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford is very familiar with housing issues. In addition to his legislative service, Fecteau is employed as a senior officer of policy and planning for Avesta Housing, a non-profit affordable housing developer that operates throughout New England.

“There is an appropriate role the state can play in these local discussions,” Fecteau said. “We can certainly work harder in bringing resources to the table and help our municipal partners without stepping on their toes.”

A recent report issued by the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA), says the state agency was able to complete 775 affordable housing units in 2024, and that 1,005 units of affordable housing are now in the process of being built.

The agency also points out that the average production costs of building those units is finally beginning to level off following three straight years of rising production costs.

Other factors pointed out in the report’s executive summary is that interest rates have leveled off and that MaineHousing’s “First Home” program is now maintaining rates well below the market average to a rate to 5.375 percent prior to the end of 2024.

But there are still many challenges that lie ahead for Maine’s housing landscape.

Although some recent “leveling off,” in home prices has helped cool the market, rising home prices continue to be a primary concern for homeownership access, according to the MSHA’s report.

From 2020 to 2024, the median home price in Maine grew by more than 50 percent, far outpacing a 33.3 percent increase in wages and salaries of Maine workers during the same period.

Other things such as utility and heating costs play big factors in housing affordability. For example, heating fuel prices have recently stabilized after record high prices in 2022 and 2023. According to the MSHA, heating fuel costs have now been trending downward since April 2024.

Since 2018, the rental cost burden across the state has increased sharply for most households, especially for those with household incomes between $35,000 and $75,000 in total household income.

NEXT: Housing developers discuss their challenges and opportunities.

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Council discusses winter parking bans

February 5, 2025April 7, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

With another winter storm looming on the horizon, members of the Biddeford City Council discussed the city’s policy regarding overnight parking bans.

At the tail end of Tuesday’s council meeting, Councilor Neva Gross – who represents much of the city’s downtown area — raised the issue to her fellow councilors, asking if there is more the city can do to announce parking bans in advance of a storm.

“I personally live down here [downtown area] so I am affected by this every time there is [a ban],” Gross said. “I received some emails over the last few days from some folks whose cars were towed during a ban because they didn’t know about it.”

Gross acknowledged that city routinely updates residents about pending parking bans in a variety of ways, including the city’s website, the city’s official Facebook page and the ability for residents to sign up for email or text notifications.

The city — — along with several other communities throughout southern Maine — also notifies television news stations about upcoming parking bans.

“Is there some kind of way that we could notify folks who are not on social media or looking at the city’s website,” Gross asked.

City Councilor Marc Lessard drew a round of laughter when he suggested that the city may want to consider using a “fire horn” to alert downtown residents of a pending parking ban.

“The bottom line is that if you park your vehicle on a public road, in the wintertime,
and it’s going to snow; you have to assume that there is going to be a parking ban
and try to figure out a way to find out about that.”
City Manager James Bennett

“I’m kind of being serious,” Lessard said, recalling that decades ago the city used a central fire horn to inform citizens of fires and served as a curfew notice.

City Manager James Bennett said “there is just no way for us to do it right” in reference to snow parking bans.

Bennett said the city of Lewiston had a policy prohibiting all overnight parking during the entire winter season.

“I’m glad to look at ways for us to enhance getting that information out,” Bennett said, pointing out that residents should make an effort to stay informed.

“This probably sounds cold, or not customer-friendly, but the bottom line is that if you park your vehicle on a public road, in the winter time, and it’s going to snow; you have to assume that there is going to be a parking ban and try to figure out a way to find out about that,” Bennett said.

Bennett also told the council that “snow clearing” parking bans represent an additional challenge in keeping residents informed about parking bans because those do not happen during a storm. “We really have to go overboard in alerting residents about those [parking bans].” Bennett said.

“If you live downtown, please help us by also doing what you can to find out about parking bans,” Bennett said.

Mayor Marty Grohman also said he heard from some friends whose vehicles were towed during a parking ban. “I think making the lots on Water and Washington streets available has been helpful,” he said.

Editor’s note: Click here for more information about Biddeford parking bans or to sign up for email and text alerts

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Biddeford’s arts community gets a big boost: Five Questions

January 31, 2025April 7, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

(This is the first of hopefully many more ‘Five Questions” interviews with a variety of people throughout the Biddeford Community)

For nearly 14 years, Delilah Poupore has been at the helm of the Heart of Biddeford, a non-profit organization with a mission to “foster a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable downtown for residents, businesses and visitors.”

Today, Poupore, 57, remains as excited and passionate about Biddeford as she was when she moved here from California to serve as the Heart of Biddeford’s executive director.

“Her enthusiasm is never ending,” said Joe McKenney, a Heart of Biddeford (HOB) board member. “She is the perfect fit for the role, and her passion for the city is infectious. We are very lucky to have her. We would not be where we are today without her.”

Examples of Poupore’s seemingly boundless energy can be seen and experienced throughout the downtown area and beyond, including a growing list of annual community events such as River Jam, Biddeford Oktoberfest, Winterfest and the I Heart Biddeford 5k Run/Walk race.

*Delilah Poupore, Heart of Biddeford’s executive director*

Poupore is constantly looking for new and creative ways to engage the community and to be a resource for a diversity of stakeholders, not just for downtown businesses.

The HOB’s umbrella includes small business owners, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs and those who may be struggling to be better connected to the community, including unhoused residents and new immigrants who are hoping to build a new life in the city.

The Heart of Biddeford had humble beginnings, but is constantly evolving, including recent news about the organization’s expansion.

Poupore describes creating the ‘Art of Biddeford’ as “adding another department” to HOB in order to meet the needs of the city’s growing arts community.

I fell in love with Biddeford because of the stories, the history of the city;
the immigrants who came here and built so much of the infrastructure.”
— Delilah Poupore

The Art of Biddeford is designed to help fill the void that was created when board members of another Biddeford non-profit – ENGINE – decided to dissolve last year.

“ENGINE was such a powerhouse for the arts community,” Poupore said. “Although it’s quite understandable why they chose to dissolve, it’s also sad for me to acknowledge that organization is no longer here.”

In a recent press release, ENGINE’s former board president Sarah LaFortune said the Heart of Biddeford is “the ideal steward to continue the work that ENGINE started.”

Poupore described Tamsyn Bodwell — ENGINE’s primary founder – as someone who was tireless and a passionate supporter of Biddeford’s arts community. “We worked on a lot of projects over the years,” Poupore said. “I cannot think of anyone who was more committed to supporting local artists in Biddeford.

“The Art of Biddeford is standing on the shoulders of what ENGINE built in this community.”

You moved here from California and immediately immersed yourself in the community. Why are you so passionate about Biddeford?

“We have so many people – from all sorts of backgrounds – living here; and a thing in common with a lot of them is that they are people who really embrace a creative life.

“I grew up in a post-industrial town, in Duluth, Minnesota. It was full of bricks and history and people sort of wondering about the future and equality and things like that.

“I fell in love with Biddeford because of the stories, the history of the city, the immigrants who came here and built so much of the infrastructure.”

What do you see when you contemplate the Heart of Biddeford’s future?

“I see so many opportunities ahead for both the city and the Heart of Biddeford. I want to make sure that Biddeford’s continuing revitalization is for Biddeford people.

“I want Biddeford to be a community that figures out how to revitalize without losing the people who built the place.”

What is the importance of a thriving arts community?

“There are so many things. The arts can lead to building a foundation for a creative economy that attracts investment and new opportunities for the community.

“And a creative economy is a great way to bring different people – of different backgrounds and perspectives – together so that they are excited about sitting at the table and looking at the community as whole. The arts is a natural bridge that strengthens relationships.”

What do you think is driving the Heart of Biddeford’s success?

“I think if you start with the people, then they know that you value them, and that you want them involved in the process. You just create different things when you bring people around the table saying what they think is important.”

You bubble with enthusiasm, but do you ever get discouraged?

“I am kind of used to waves in this job. Sometimes, it feels like there is so much to do, and so many things I want to do. So yes, sometimes it feels like a lot, but then things settle down again.

“I think of this as the investment time. I think it’s important for people to see what is happening rather than just reading about it on piece of paper.”

RELATED: Saco Bay News story: Heart of Biddeford launches Art of Biddeford

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OPINION: Some notable changes in local media outlets

January 26, 2025January 28, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

(Originally published on the Lessons In Mediocrity site)

There’s no denying it. This is not your father’s news industry anymore. That’s good news, but it’s also very bad news.

I’m writing this because there were three significant local changes in the news industry that happened in just the last two weeks.

More about that in just a moment.

Traditional, legacy media outlets are no longer the sole guardians of truth and justice, and that fact — like it or not – will impact you — and it might even hurt you.

For centuries, newspapers, (and then later) radio and television news operations kept an immeasurable amount of gravitas in their pants’ pocket, like so many nickels and dimes. The publishers, editors (and oftentimes the reporters) took your trust in them for granted.

Nearly 300 years ago, Edmund Burke, a member of British Parliament, reportedly coined the term “Fourth Estate” to describe the press, pointing out its obligations as a check in government oversight and its responsibility to frame political issues as well as to be an advocate for the general public.

Pretty big responsibility, eh?

The industry that was once the trusted and almost sole gatekeeper of vital public news and information is now scrambling, desperately trying to find a way to remain relevant or at least financially solvent.

So, what are the threats and challenges facing both you as a news consumer and traditional media outlets?

First and foremost, social media platforms are taking over the distribution of news and information. There are no more paperboys and even newsrooms are shifting away from brick-and-mortar structures.

In survey after survey; in poll after poll, one fact becomes abundantly clear. Consumers want their news on their schedule (on demand). Readers also try to skirt paywalls, no longer seeing the value of paid news subscriptions.

Readers today gravitate toward click-bait headlines and “news” websites that match their own political ideology.

*Photo: The Death of the Newspaper Industry | John W. Hayes)*

Never-ending competition, a 24-7 news cycle and the disturbing rise of AI (artificial intelligence) all remain as threats to established and not-so-established news outlets.

And to top it off, reader trust in traditional news outlets is plummeting faster than shares of K-Mart stock.

In his Nov. 29, 2022 opinion column, Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby pointed to a recent Gallup report, which revealed that just one out of three Americans claimed to have a “great deal” or a “fair amount” of confidence in the media.

We could talk all day about the national news scene and the spiraling demise of legacy media, but let’s take a deeper look at the news on a local level, right here where it hurts the most.

Today, almost everyone is a journalist – or so they believe. All you need is a keyboard and an internet connection and its off to the races.

While I love certain aspects of “citizen journalism” it does sort of invite a Wild, Wild West approach in reporting news.

These citizens journalists typically do not have editors or the resources of an editorial board. They have no professional training. Ethics and objectivity are now electives, no longer requirements.

In other ways, however, these pesky citizen journalists and their social media followers do keep some much needed pressure on those Fourth Estate guys, the traditional legacy media outlets.

We’re not in Kansas anymore

Speaking of legacy, traditional media, the Bangor Daily News (BDN) – Maine’s preeminent source of political news – decided last week to shut down its editorial board. The paper will no longer have an Op-Ed (Opinion-Editorial) section.

I found that news strange. It struck me as counter-intuitive, especially since so many people are saying that readers are flocking toward opinion and away from objective news reporting.

While I love certain aspects of “citizen journalism” it does sort of invite
a Wild, Wild West approach in reporting news.

In a Jan. 24 column, the BDN described the move as “the end of an era.”

Susan Young, the paper’s opinion editor, said the news was “bittersweet.”

“Far too few people read opinion content, so we have to try different things,” Young told me during an online conversation, saying the decision was influenced by the paper’s digital analytics.

The BDN’s decision will also mean the end of rigorous and highly regarded opinion columns from people like Amy Fried on the political left to Matt Gagnon on the political right.

Still closer to home, the publishers of the Biddeford-Saco Courier announced on Wednesday that they will now offer their subscribers a digital weekly update via email.

That “announcement” dropped exactly two weeks after I formally launched the Biddeford Gazette, a free digital newspaper dedicated to covering Biddeford news, opinion and events.

For more than 30 years, the Courier has relied upon free delivery of its print publication at newsstands or tossed into the driveways of private homes.

The Courier was founded and locally owned by David and Carolyn Flood. A few years ago, the paper was then sold to the owner of the now defunct Journal Tribune, a daily newspaper that was later acquired by the daily Portland Press Herald. Today, the Press Herald owners also contributor several weekly and daily publications throughout central and southern Maine.

Courier reporter Sydney Richelieu announced the “inaugural edition” of “Biddeford-Saco | Now” in an email sent to subscribers. The move, she said, is designed to offer readers another option in finding out what is happening in their community.

I have some unsolicited advice for Sydney and the Courier’s editors, please stop printing press releases and then labeling them with a byline of “Staff Reports.”

Otherwise, I am quite pleased that you guys finally want to step up your game in covering local news.

To be honest, I have a bit of an advantage over the other guys. I’m a Biddeford native and resident, and I have been covering Biddeford for nearly three decades. I have a stockpile of sources and lots of time on my hands.

Just a few days ago, a close friend of mine remarked that other local publications are now starting to pay more attention (deservedly so) to the city of Biddeford, since I launched the Gazette.

That’s actually really good news, especially for the people of Biddeford.

The other guys may not like the fact that I am now in the mix, but they should remember the folks at the Journal Tribune were none too happy when the Courier was launched in 1989; and the folks at the Courier were none too happy that Saco Bay News came along in 2019 and showed off the nimble advantages of being a digital publication.

Increased competition does not help the Courier, Saco Bay News or the Biddeford Gazette, but it does keep a fire lit under our asses; and that is good news for readers.

The people of Biddeford should not have to rely upon just one reporter for the news that matters to them.

Competition keeps reporters motivated, but more importantly – it keeps them in check.

The Biddeford Gazette is not trying to put anyone else out of business. In fact, the opposite is true.

The Biddeford Gazette uses its own social media pages on Facebook, BlueSky and X to round up and share local news stories from other media companies. No one else does that.

You read that right. We take the time to share news from the other guys on our social media pages. And when you click to read those stories, you are not directed to our website, instead all the postings will link automatically to whatever source produced the news, whether it’s Saco Bay News, the Courier or WGME-TV.

Please visit our new Facebook page and follow us to experience a new level of local news coverage.

Whenever or wherever news about Biddeford is published, we will be there to make sure you know about it.

That’s my mission. That’s my passion.

I value your trust.

I will not stop.

Editor’s Note: This is a corrected version of an earlier story. The Biddeford-Saco Courier was originally acquired by the publisher of the Journal Tribune, not the Portland Press Herald. We regret the error and apologize for any confusion it may have caused.

NEWSLETTER: Where are we going?

January 24, 2025February 12, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

Wow! Just wow. When I started the Biddeford Gazette, I had no idea how well it would be received by the community.

It’s a new year; we have a new president, and I now have a new project that will keep me occupied for the foreseeable future. Thus, welcome to my first newsletter!

WHERE WE ARE:

I did a soft launch of the Biddeford Gazette back in November. But a couple of weeks ago, we decided to make it official and bought a website domain that is exclusive for the Biddeford Gazette.

Within just the first two hours of our mid-January launch, more than 175 people subscribed to the Gazette. 175 people in less than two hours? Holy Cow! The subscriptions continue to climb beyond my expectations.

If you would like to subscribe, go here.

WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

In just the last two weeks, we have:

Published 11 exclusive news and feature stories, including three guest columns on our Community Voices page

We have also begun publishing local obituaries.

Traditional print publications charge families hundreds of dollars to publish an obituary. We do it for free and consider it a community service. With our social media partners, we have access to more than 35,000 readers in the Biddeford-Saco area.

Created a social media page to share and promote Biddeford news from other media outlets in southern Maine, including Saco Bay News, the Biddeford-Saco Courier, MaineBiz and Portland television stations. All part of our mission to keep our readers informed about what is happening in the community.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

The future certainly looks bright. Down the road, we hope to expand our operation.

Additional reporting: We have already been contacted by a few former journalists who are interested in freelance work and helping us with our mission of local news coverage;

High School Sports coverage: We are working to develop an internship for high school students interested about a career in journalism;

Improvements: We hope to improve our website design and functionality as we continue moving forward.;

Expanding community voices: We hope to provide an ongoing diversity of perspectives and experience on our pages. If you are interested in writing a column or submitting a press release, please contact us.

In-depth reporting: Next week will begin a three-part series that focuses on the issues of housing in the Biddeford area. This comprehensive project will include interviews with real estate agents, developers, local and state officials and homeless advocates and many others.

Creating an Advisory Council: We are looking for a few people who would be interested in providing guidance and ideas about our news coverage.

Thank you for the support, and please keep reading! With your support and input, we will continue our mission of reporting news and information about the city of Biddeford and its people.

Cheers!

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Biddeford struggles with communication

January 20, 2025April 7, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

Despite spending a little more than $45,000 last year on upgrades and consulting services, the city of Biddeford is still wrestling to improve its external communication platforms.

During almost every public meeting, the city struggles and stumbles as it attempts to allow people to remotely watch or participate in meetings at City Hall. As a result, many meetings begin late.

There are often sound issues and other glitches, especially when the council is hearing a presentation and trying to load third-party information onto its streaming platform.

Many residents also complain that remotely watching meetings is confusing, including poor sound issues and saying online public participation is often arduous

“It has gotten a bit ridiculous,” Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman said during a recent interview with the Biddeford Gazette.

Unlike the city of Saco, Biddeford uses the ZOOM technology platform to both broadcast and archive past meetings of the city council, school committee, planning board and other government committee meetings.

Saco, on the other hand, uses more user-friendly technology including Facebook and YouTube.

Biddeford City Councilor Roger Beaupre said many senior citizens feel somewhat disenfranchised because the city is not doing a good enough job in getting news and information out through more traditional methods, including public access television and print media such as the Biddeford-Saco Courier and the Portland Press Herald.

“All this push to online communication is fine and dandy, but many seniors are not comfortable with using websites to get information about what is happening in the city,” Beaupre said.

During the tail end of a city council meeting earlier this month, Beaupre shared his frustration about the issue with his fellow councilors, suggesting that the city should focus on more traditional media platforms.

The city now offers a weekly newsletter that is available by email from the city.

I think we need to do a better job in making sure that the public is getting
the news and information they need.”
— Councilor Marc Lessard

Anyone with an internet connection can access and receive the Biddeford Beat newsletter. Updates are then automatically sent out weekly by email to subscribers.

Beaupre suggested that the council should also consider having the Biddeford Beat or something similar published in the weekly Biddeford-Saco Courier, a free newspaper that is distributed to every household in Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach.

For those who don’t receive the Courier in their driveway, the paper is also available at area newsstands.

Councilor Marc Lessard emphatically agreed with Beaupre’s idea.

“We don’t want to leave anyone in the dark, and we want to be open and transparent,” Lessard said. “But I think we need to do a better job in making sure that the public is getting the news and information they need.”

Grohman — who was elected as mayor a little more than a year ago — said he is also frustrated by the situation, an issue that has plagued almost every meeting he has chaired.

“Almost every meeting experiences some kind of technology glitch,” Grohman said. “We are striving to be open and inclusive, but we have to do better in getting information out to the public.”

Grohman had high praise for the city’s communications director, Danica Lamontagne.

“I think Danica does a really good job of putting the Biddeford Beat together every week,” Grohman. “The trick now is how do we make sure that everyone is able to see that information.”

Councilor Doris Ortiz said it’s the consensus of the council to solve the problems associated with broadcasting public meetings. She also said that many older people feel more comfortable with popular platforms such as Facebook, pointing out that city of Saco livestreams its meetings on the popular social media site rather than using ZOOM.

Although Saco seems to have a more user-friendly approach, there is no opportunity for remote public comment. Those who want to comment during a Saco meeting must attend the meeting in person, according to the city’s website.

City Council President Liam LaFountain sends out his own weekly newsletter for his constituents who use Facebook.

LaFountain uses the Biddeford -Ward 7 Facebook page to keep his constituents informed about what is happening in the city and to offer previews about upcoming issues that the council will face.

“A lot of people like that I do that,” LaFountain said. “But I have also heard complaints from people regarding how we currently stream live meetings.

“We want to use technology to increase efficiency and promote public participation, but we also have to make sure that our methods are user-friendly.

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Hello, Goodbye

January 14, 2025January 14, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Dear readers,

Once again, I have some good news and some bad news. Let’s start with the good news.

Roughly 24 hours ago, Laura told me it was time for me to get a bit more serious about the Biddeford Gazette, an online multi-media news source focused on the city of Biddeford.

Instead of trying to run the Gazette as a subpage on my personal blog site, I went ahead and purchased a new domain so that the Gazette could stand on its own without all the clutter and distraction of my blog, Lessons in Mediocrity.

Going forward, as time and funding allows, I will be making enhancements to the Biddeford Gazette site to improve its functionality and design.

My goal is to give you an alternative and comprehensive overview of what is happening in the Biddeford area.

Now the bad news.

As I continue working to build the Biddeford Gazette, I am going to need your help. Mainly, I’m hoping you will subscribe (for free) and follow us on social media.

By subscribing, you will get an email update every time a new story is published. Your email address will NOT be shared with anyone else. Go here to subscribe.

I hate to be a pain in the ass, but if you are already a subscriber of my blog, you will need to subscribe separately to the Biddeford Gazette. It’s free and it’s worth it.

Throughout all of this, I will continue my blog on a more personal scale. To learn more about the Biddeford Gazette go here.

As always, thank you so much for reading!