Bridgestone/Firestone Auto Care opens its first Maine location Several Biddeford city officials joined with dozens of Bridgestone employees for Thursday’s grand opening event at Maine’s first Firestone Complete Auto Care location in Biddeford. The auto care store first opened its doors on Alfred Road to the public on August 11, according to store manager Amanda … Continue reading Bigfoot comes to Biddeford
Tag: Biddeford
Candidates, residents meet during roundtable event
Several city council hopefuls and one of the three candidates for mayor in Biddeford attended an event Tuesday that was billed as a “Community Roundtable” discussion between candidates and members of the public. The forum was held in an ante room at Pizza By Alex and was attended by 18 members of the public. Delilah … Continue reading Candidates, residents meet during roundtable event
Ongoing thefts hurt veterans’ club, others
Up until only a few years ago, the American Legion Post 26 in Biddeford was in danger of closing. The former schoolhouse building on Route One – almost directly across from the new courthouse complex -- was in serious disrepair with a leaky roof. Other non-profit organizations, such as the American Red Cross, could no … Continue reading Ongoing thefts hurt veterans’ club, others
Ordinance change catches resident off guard
You have probably seen the signs as you drive through the city of Biddeford, and unless you’re driving a big truck – you may not understand the impacts of a traffic ordinance that was revised by the city council four months ago. With very little fanfare, the Biddeford City Council voted 7-1 (Lessard) on May … Continue reading Ordinance change catches resident off guard
Biddeford scores another big land easement for public recreation
According to a press release issued Thursday, the Maine Water Company and Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) announced a partnership that will permanently conserve more than 250 acres of forest and open space in a key watershed area of the Saco River in western Biddeford. The signed agreement between Maine Water and MCHT has full … Continue reading Biddeford scores another big land easement for public recreation
Meet the new boss; Truc Dever takes the helm at City Hall
By JIM KRAUSE, Contributing Writer Truc Dever – Biddeford’s new city manager – took over the helm at City Hall just a few weeks ago. She sat down with us for a one-on-one interview and happily answered a wide range of questions about her background, hobbies and management style. Before taking on her new job … Continue reading Meet the new boss; Truc Dever takes the helm at City Hall
City alleges misconduct by former manager
Did Jim Bennett manipulate the tax obligations on his own home? According to court documents obtained by the Biddeford Gazette, former Biddeford city manager James Bennett allegedly used his position to lower the tax assessment for his personal property. Earlier this year, after being removed from his office in February, Bennett filed a civil lawsuit … Continue reading City alleges misconduct by former manager
Turning addiction into something positive
Ryan Paige grew up in Biddeford, and he has now taken the worst part of his life and turned it into a resource that has helped hundreds of people achieve sobriety all across Maine. Paige, 43, has been sober and drug-free since 2019. Flash forward six years, and he is now running a statewide non-profit … Continue reading Turning addiction into something positive
Get on the bus! Check out ‘Childish Things’
Why run from your problems, when you can drive? Although they are not yet as famous as the Coen brothers, Cash and Nick Cassidy are already making quite a splash in the world of independent (indie) filmmaking. Their latest film – Childish Things – will kick off this year’s Vacationland Film Festival at City Theater … Continue reading Get on the bus! Check out ‘Childish Things’
Relief effort continues for fire victims
According to organizers, the relief effort to help families that were displaced by last week's fire on Brackett Street has received wide and 'overwhelming support" from the community. Jessica Johnson, a downtown business owner and former city council candidate, has been coordinating the effort to help provide essential items and clothing for people who "lost … Continue reading Relief effort continues for fire victims
Biddo | an insult, or a term of endearment?
"And these children that you spit onAs they try to change their worldsAre immune to your consultationsThey're quite aware of what they're going through" -- David Bowie, Changes According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Biddeford is Maine’s youngest city, with a median age of roughly 36 years. Take a moment and think about that. Thirty-six … Continue reading Biddo | an insult, or a term of endearment?
City gives non-union employees a modest pay increase
The Biddeford City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to give the city’s non-union employees a one-half percent pay increase. Earlier this year, the council completed negotiations with union employees. Those negotiations resulted in a four percent cost-of-living raise. Meanwhile, during this year’s budget process, non-union employees were allocated a 3.5 percent increase. All city employees -- … Continue reading City gives non-union employees a modest pay increase
Lisa Vadnais, political powerhouse, seeks council seat
One of Biddeford's best-known and respected political leaders has decided that she is going to seek one of the two at-large seats on the Biddeford City Council. Lisa Vadnais, 64, has served on the Biddeford School Committee for 16 years, including four years as that board's chair. Over the last few years, Vadnais has demonstrated … Continue reading Lisa Vadnais, political powerhouse, seeks council seat
OPINION: New idea for an old sign: move it
By JAMES KRAUSE, Gazette contributor In reference to the old gas station sign located at the Five Points intersection: Firstly, let me say that I love the idea as well as the submitted artwork. I can honestly say that as silly as it is, yes that sign is a landmark to the city as much … Continue reading OPINION: New idea for an old sign: move it
LaFountain joins mayoral race in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The race to become Biddeford’s next mayor has now turned into a three-way contest. City Council President Liam LaFountain told the Biddeford Gazette this week that he will give up his Ward Seven council seat to join the race for mayor. LaFountain now joins fellow city councilor Norman Belanger in opposing … Continue reading LaFountain joins mayoral race in Biddeford
Mooring owners to mayor: ‘We’re not budging’
A stalemate is brewing on the Saco River. Several private mooring owners in Biddeford say they are being ignored by city leaders and will not move their moorings on the Saco River to accommodate the University of New England’s proposal to build a new pier for its research vessel. The university’s proposal was given preliminary … Continue reading Mooring owners to mayor: ‘We’re not budging’
Old faces, new faces vying for office in Biddeford
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 … Continue reading Old faces, new faces vying for office in Biddeford
OPINION: Opening Day; Let’s Play!
Today, July 24, is the first day that political hopefuls in Biddeford can take out nomination forms in order to have their names on the November 4 ballot. Every local office is up for grabs: mayor, city council, school committee and ward clerks. I have been covering Biddeford politics for 30 years, and I always … Continue reading OPINION: Opening Day; Let’s Play!
Biddeford’s political landscape is heating up
By RANDY SEAVER, editor A little more than 24 hours before nomination papers are available from the City’s Clerk’s office, and the landscape for this year’s municipal election in Biddeford is already taking shape. As we first reported on July 11, Incumbent Marty Grohman is hoping for a second term but will face a challenge … Continue reading Biddeford’s political landscape is heating up
NEWSLETTER: Summer In the City
Hopefully, you are all enjoying the beautiful weather this week! I am on semi-vacation, pinging back and forth between our campsite at Rangeley Lake and Biddeford. No matter where you find yourself, this is a good week to be living in Maine. This is also a very good week for those of us who closely … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Summer In the City
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 