For more than three decades, Kitty taught English and became one of Biddeford’s most beloved teachers. Her former students include the city’s police chief, a former mayor, a city councilor and several local business owners
Tag: Marc Lessard
Biddeford City Manager leaving her post
A deeper dive into Monday's news about the Biddeford City Manager's planned -- yet unexpected -- resignation.
NEWSLETTER: ‘Looking for a place to happen’
New partnerships, expanding technology will help the Gazette stay connected to you I don’t believe this could have been a better week for the Biddeford Gazette. I am especially excited about several new partnerships that will allow us to give you more news and information about your community. Earlier this week, I was invited to … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: ‘Looking for a place to happen’
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’
NEWSLETTER: Can’t touch this
Wow! What a week it’s been. Let’s get right to it. Things have been pretty much non-stop here at the Gazette since the beginning of February. We set some new records, broke some big stories and had some fun along the way. More about all that in just a moment. Our promise to you: A … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Can’t touch this
Councilor Lessard considering run for state house
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford City Councilor Marc Lessard confirmed Friday that he is considering a challenge against incumbent State Rep. Marc Malon to represent District 133 in the Maine House of Representatives. District 133 includes the central and western area of the city. The upcoming election will be held in November. If he does … Continue reading Councilor Lessard considering run for state house
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’
West Brook skating: an enduring legacy in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The West Brook skating rink in Biddeford was first opened to the public roughly four weeks before Warren G. Harding was inaugurated as the 29th president of the United States in 1921. Although the outdoor rink has undergone some dramatic changes over the last century, the heart of its mission has … Continue reading West Brook skating: an enduring legacy in Biddeford
School daze for new Biddeford city councilors?
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Tomorrow night – Dec. 9 – the new members of the Biddeford City Council will be getting some required “training” for their new roles in city government. The city council workshop –-- ostensibly open to the public, but why? -- will feature four breakout sessions, including updates from City Manager Truc … Continue reading School daze for new Biddeford city councilors?
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
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
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
At-Large candidates Lessard, Vadnais share concerns about UNE pier
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford Gazette asked the three At-Large city council candidates to share their thoughts and concerns about the controversial pier being proposed by the University of New England (UNE). Last week, we reached out to the two candidates vying for the Ward One seat, which represents Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods, about their … Continue reading At-Large candidates Lessard, Vadnais share concerns about UNE pier
Mayor offers more selective endorsements
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman is making more endorsements in some city council races but will not make any endorsements in the three-way at-large council race and in the Ward Six race. When asked why he will not make endorsements in those two races, Grohman said he has “strong relationships” with all … Continue reading Mayor offers more selective endorsements
Three vie for two at-large seats in Biddeford
Two well-known political heavyweights and one newcomer to the city’s political arena are each vying for one of the two at-large seats on the Biddeford City Council. Marc Lessard Nasreen A. Sheikh-Yousef Lisa Vadnais Incumbent Marc Lessard, 62, has served on the council for the better part of the last 30 years. School Committee Chair … Continue reading Three vie for two at-large seats in Biddeford
OPINION: Councilors offer us a lesson about respect
Something happened at last night’s Biddeford City Council meeting that should be a template for all of us. In a time of seemingly unprecedented political tension on the national stage, two city councilors showed us all a valuable lesson about respect, collaboration and friendship – despite being almost polar opposites when it comes to political … Continue reading OPINION: Councilors offer us a lesson about respect
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
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
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 