By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain ran his campaign last year on a platform dedicated to restoring accountability and increasing transparency at City Hall. Those were good messages, and the voters agreed with LaFountain, giving him the edge over the incumbent former mayor. LaFountain pledged to hit the ground running, and he’s already … Continue reading OPINION | Biddeford should keep Center
Tag: Liam LaFountain
New UNE oversight committee begins work
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The first meeting of Biddeford’s revived Institutional Zone Review (IZR) Committee was held Thursday evening, giving members a chance to introduce themselves and to complete several organizational and administrative tasks, including scheduling their first public hearing. The committee was launched earlier this year, at the direction of Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain … Continue reading New UNE oversight committee begins work
‘You can spread the blame like peanut butter’
City Councilor Marc Lessard falls on his own sword by saying he is partly responsible for some of the city's ongoing financial problems By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Tuesday’s meeting of the Biddeford City Council’s Finance Committee made one fact abundantly clear. The city is still struggling to clean up the damage done over the last … Continue reading ‘You can spread the blame like peanut butter’
Council splits on supporting state bill for emergency shelters
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Despite some misinformation floating about on social media, the Biddeford City Council did not vote Tuesday against funding for emergency shelters to assist unhoused residents. Instead, the council took up a resolution introduced by Mayor Liam LaFountain to express support for a bill now being considered by the Maine Legislature. The … Continue reading Council splits on supporting state bill for emergency shelters
Bennett brings campaign to Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor In the very crowded race to become Maine’s next governor, former State Sen. Rick Bennett is hoping to stand out as an Independent candidate who is ready to tackle tough issues with a common-sense approach and a commitment to people rather than any political party. Bennett, 62, brought his campaign to Biddeford … Continue reading Bennett brings campaign to Biddeford
Council debates controversial parking plan
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford City Council finally got the chance Tuesday to discuss a controversial parking plan that has raised questions and eyebrows about city spending procedures. One councilor described the project as a significant breach of city procedures, but another councilor described the $20,000 project as “small potatoes,” when compared to other issues … Continue reading Council debates controversial parking plan
Lessard: ‘I am not so ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya’
Finance Committee takes a closer look at how a downtown parking plan was funded By RANDY SEAVER, Editor A controversial and temporary downtown parking program will be reviewed by the Biddeford City Council at its next meeting, Feb. 3. As first reported in the Biddeford Gazette earlier this week, Mayor Liam LaFountain and members of the city … Continue reading Lessard: ‘I am not so ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya’
Council unanimously halts UNE development
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Despite the impassioned pleas of some nuns from the St. Joseph’s Convent, the Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to enact a temporary development moratorium on the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. As previously reported in the Gazette, Mayor Liam LaFountain proposed the moratorium and the creation of an ad-hoc … Continue reading Council unanimously halts UNE development
City investigating use of taxpayer funds for a parking plan launched by former mayor
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor According to documents obtained by the Biddeford Gazette, the city of Biddeford is now investigating why more than $16,000 was spent on a downtown parking plan that was never reviewed or authorized by the city council or its Finance Committee. At Mayor Liam LaFountain's request, City Attorney Harry B. Center was … Continue reading City investigating use of taxpayer funds for a parking plan launched by former mayor
Mayor proposes moratorium on UNE development
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain is proposing a temporary moratorium on all development projects at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. LaFountain is also scheduled to nominate UNE president James Hebert to serve on an ad-hoc committee that will focus on development at the school’s Biddeford campus. During an interview with … Continue reading Mayor proposes moratorium on UNE development
Mayor proposes planning board shakeup
[This story has been updated to include commentary from Alexa Plotkin, chair of Biddeford's planning board.] By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain won his campaign a few weeks ago by promising to prioritize transparency and accountability at City Hall. As part of that pledge, LaFountain has been seeking and interviewing people who have expressed … Continue reading Mayor proposes planning board shakeup
Saco official blasts Biddeford officials
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Kevin Roche -- a former Saco city councilor and current member of the Saco School Board -- has publicly criticized Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain and the Biddeford City Council for the way they are handling the review of a large pier being proposed by the University of New England. In addition … Continue reading Saco official blasts Biddeford officials
How much does it cost to become mayor?
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor According to campaign finance reports, a total of more than $14,200 was spent by the three mayoral candidates in Biddeford’s Nov. 6 municipal election. Yesterday (Dec.16) was the deadline for filing those reports with the city clerk. Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain (City of Biddeford photo) Former Mayor Marty Grohman spent the … Continue reading How much does it cost to become mayor?
End of an era? City considers hiring ‘in-house’ attorney
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain is floating the idea of hiring an “in-house” city attorney, a significant departure from the current model of operating under a retainer contract with a local law firm. Although the concept of hiring an attorney as a full-time city employee was discussed and rejected more than 30 years ago, LaFountain says … Continue reading End of an era? City considers hiring ‘in-house’ attorney
2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor There is little doubt that 2025 was a year of substantive change for the city of Biddeford. From political fallout to major infrastructure improvements and new business openings, this year featured a plethora of news stories about change. In fact, even the news/media landscape changed as a new digital news source … Continue reading 2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford
City files court challenge for UNE pier approval
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Although the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly approved the University of New England’s controversial pier proposal in August, a required building permit will not be issued by the city until a decision comes down from the York County Superior Court. The city has filed a formal complaint against the Saco River Corridor … Continue reading City files court challenge for UNE pier approval
Biddeford’s 153rd inauguration held online
The city of Biddeford’s 153rd inauguration ceremony was markedly different than in years past. For the first time, the ceremony was held online because of inclement weather. Although typically an evening of pomp and circumstance, including an emcee and reception, this year’s ceremony – held on the Zoom platform -- took less than 10 minutes. … Continue reading Biddeford’s 153rd inauguration held online
NEWSLETTER: Catch you on the flip side
Although it may be hard to believe, we are now pushing up against the edge of the 2025 holiday season. Wow! Where did this year go? Over the next 30 days, people in our community will celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice and Christmas. For many people, this can be a stressful and lonely time … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Catch you on the flip side
OPINION | A change will do us good?
On Tuesday, I sat in my usual seat in the Biddeford City Council Chamber -- back row and closest to the door. With my back against the wall, I can see and monitor almost everything happening in the room. That perch also provides a quick exit in the event that the shit hits the fan. … Continue reading OPINION | A change will do us good?
Mayor-elect shares his hopes and goals for the city’s future
A little more than two weeks ago, Biddeford voters sent a clear message that they wanted change and more accountability from City Hall. In fact, nearly two thirds of the people who cast ballots in the Nov. 4 municipal election chose candidates other than incumbent Mayor Marty Grohman for the city’s top job. Biddeford City … Continue reading Mayor-elect shares his hopes and goals for the city’s future
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 