New mayor; changing business hours at City Hall and approaching holidays The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping, but it feels good to approach the holiday season with some enthusiasm and contentment. This week, we are asking our readers to tell us what they believe were the Top-Ten news stories in Biddeford … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Not Your Father’s Biddeford
Tag: Liam LaFountain
City will seek Attorney General’s advice about UNE pier
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Thursday to seek guidance from the Maine Attorney General’s office about a new wrinkle that was recently discovered in the University of New England’s proposal to build a large, research pier on the Saco River. In order to build their pier, the university needed approvals … Continue reading City will seek Attorney General’s advice about UNE pier
Mayor will issue ‘formal apology’
Just hours after losing the mayor's seat, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman said he will issue a formal apology to Mayor-Elect Liam LaFountain during Thursday's city council meeting. LaFountain narrowly won the three-way race with 42 percent of the vote (2,623). Grohman received 2,413 votes (38.3 percent). After the polls closed Tuesday, I offered Gazette readers … Continue reading Mayor will issue ‘formal apology’
Biddeford chooses new mayor
Biddeford voters chose City Council President Liam LaFountain to be Biddeford's next mayor. LaFountain edged incumbent Marty Grohman 2,623 - 2,413. City Councilor Norman Belanger placed third with 1, 272 votes. For the first time, the Biddeford City Council will include three women. Patricia Boston won her campaign in Ward One; political newcomer Abigail Woods … Continue reading Biddeford chooses new mayor
OPINION: Mayor Marty reveals his true character, and it’s not pretty
I have to break a promise. A few weeks ago, Dennis “Duke” Dutremble invited me to join him for lunch. I seized that opportunity. If you’re into local politics, you already know that the Dutremble name is legendary and highly respected in the community. Duke’s father, Lucien ‘Babe’ Dutremble, served three terms as Biddeford’s mayor … Continue reading OPINION: Mayor Marty reveals his true character, and it’s not pretty
OPINION: Biddeford needs leadership that listens
Liam LaFountain makes his case about why he should be the city's next mayor By LIAM LaFOUNTAIN, Special to the Gazette Biddeford stands at a crossroads. The decisions we make this November will shape the direction of our city for years to come. We can continue down the same path or we can chart a … Continue reading OPINION: Biddeford needs leadership that listens
Teachers union offers dual ‘endorsements,” gives candidates access to PAC funds
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Campaign “endorsements” from the Biddeford Teachers Association (BTA) caused some confusion yesterday when two of Biddeford’s three mayoral candidates announced that they received the union’s endorsement. The BTA endorsed both Mayor Marty Grohman and City Council President Liam LaFountain in their bids to become the city’s next mayor. Councilor Norman Belanger … Continue reading Teachers union offers dual ‘endorsements,” gives candidates access to PAC funds
OPINION: Campaign predictions and a free lunch
We’re coming into the final stretch, and we’re now less than one week away from Biddeford’s municipal elections on Tuesday, Nov. 4. This is a busy time of year for journalists and for city clerks around the state. The work-load drops considerably on Wednesday, Nov. 5. That day – the day after the elections are … Continue reading OPINION: Campaign predictions and a free lunch
OPINION: Behind the Scenes — Biddeford elections and the Biddeford Gazette
Thanks to Randy Forcier for the opportunity to discuss Biddeford's upcoming elections and the genesis of the Biddeford Gazette. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpZVaHFLfdE
Talkin’ Biddeford Politics with Randy Forcier
Once again, I had a blast as a guest on the Randy Forcier Podcast. We talked about the upcoming municipal elections, my predictions on the various races and voter turnout. Randy is a Biddeford native and a former member of the Biddeford School Committee. You can find his podcast on several platforms, including YouTube, Spotify … Continue reading Talkin’ Biddeford Politics with Randy Forcier
LaFountain hopes to be next mayor
Liam LaFountain says he’s running for mayor because Biddeford needs a “course correction.” LaFountain, 28, was chosen by his fellow councilors as the council’s president two years ago, at the beginning of his second term as the council’s Ward Seven representative. Liam LaFountain A native and lifelong resident of Biddeford, he is the son of … Continue reading LaFountain hopes to be next mayor
UNE pier approval tainted by glaring SRCC mistake
Although the University of New England has cleared all the reviews and hurdles needed to begin construction of a large pier on the Saco River, the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) has now admitted it made a crucial mistake while approving the university’s application in 2024. The Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) voted in August … Continue reading UNE pier approval tainted by glaring SRCC mistake
Mayoral candidates square off at debate
NOTE: An unedited audio recording of this event can be found at the end of this article The three men who want to be Biddeford’s next mayor squared-off Friday evening during a public debate that was held at Biddeford High School. The candidates – including incumbent Marty Grohman, Council President Liam LaFountain and City Councilor … Continue reading Mayoral candidates square off at debate
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
OPINION: Are you ready to rumble?
Today is the first full day of autumn. Many people get excited about this time of year. They order pumpkin everything, pick apples, decorate their yards with mums and fret about having the cleverest Halloween costume for themselves and their kids. I get excited this time of year for an entirely different reason. I am … Continue reading OPINION: Are you ready to rumble?
UNE pier opponents ramp up their efforts
Even as the University of New England begins construction of its controversial research pier, opponents of the project are ramping up their own efforts and raising new concerns about how the City of Biddeford handled its review of the project. A group of Biddeford residents are now circulating a petition to require the mayor and … Continue reading UNE pier opponents ramp up their efforts
A new bridge between Biddeford and Saco?
It is a community project that has been in the “conceptual phase” for nearly two decades, but now the conversation about a new 'multimodal' bridge connecting the cities of Biddeford and Saco is once again bubbling to the surface. On Tuesday, the Biddeford City Council will hear a proposal about the multimodal bridge that would … Continue reading A new bridge between Biddeford and Saco?
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
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 voters could face $47 million bond package
Biddeford voters could be asked to approve more than $47 million in municipal bonds to support ongoing sewer separation work and improvements to the city’s parks and recreational facilities. During their July 15 meeting, city councilors discussed the prospect of an overall spending package intended to address items that would be much more costly if … Continue reading Biddeford voters could face $47 million bond package
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 