Tag: Marty Grohman

Teachers union offers dual ‘endorsements,” gives candidates access to PAC funds

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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

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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

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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

Mayor offers more selective endorsements

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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

Mayor offers two city council endorsements

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor NOTE: This story was updated to include comments from city council candidate Abigail Woods. As Election Day draws closer, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman is endorsing at least two city council candidates. Grohman today announced his endorsement of Brad Cote in the city’s Ward Seven race. Grohman also says he will be … Continue reading Mayor offers two city council endorsements

Residents sound off about UNE pier, mayor tries to rewrite history

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

By RANDY SEAVER, editor Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and members of the city council listened Thursday evening to several residents who raised concerns about how the city has handled its review of a controversial pier project that the University of New England wants to build on the Saco River. Roughly 55 people attended Thursday’s special … Continue reading Residents sound off about UNE pier, mayor tries to rewrite history

UNE pier approval tainted by glaring SRCC mistake

~ Randy Seaver ~ 6 Comments

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

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

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

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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

UNE pier opponents ramp up their efforts

~ Randy Seaver ~ 5 Comments

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

Mayor refuses to give up on plan to oust Angers

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman seems ready to take another bite at the apple when it comes to ousting Roch Angers from the planning board, despite broad public opposition. On Tuesday, Grohman presented the council with his recommendation to remove Angers from the Biddeford Planning Board.  Only councilor William Emhiser was willing to take up the … Continue reading Mayor refuses to give up on plan to oust Angers

Angers will not go quietly into the night

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The Biddeford City Council is expected to vote Tuesday about Mayor Marty Grohman’s request to remove a member of the city’s planning board.  And now, another member of the planning board is rising to the defense of  his colleague, saying a removal is not necessary and that a written reprimand would be more appropriate. Grohman … Continue reading Angers will not go quietly into the night

City gives non-union employees a modest pay increase

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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

LaFountain joins mayoral race in Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

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