Tag: Marty Grohman

Old faces, new faces vying for office in Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

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’s political landscape is heating up

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

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

Biddeford voters could face $47 million bond package

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

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

OPINION: A missed opportunity for leadership

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

According to his Facebook campaign page, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman is “feeling frustrated” about being called out for not disclosing some relevant campaign donations made to his mayoral campaign nearly two years ago. Apparently, Marty still doesn’t get why I mentioned his failure to disclose those donations in my story about a large-scale development that … Continue reading OPINION: A missed opportunity for leadership

EXCLUSIVE: Belanger will run for mayor in Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

Biddeford City Councilor Norman Belanger confirmed Friday that he will be running against Mayor Marty Grohman to become the city's next mayor. Belanger, 68, has served on the council since 2017, including two years as council president. When asked why he is running, Belanger said: "The city needs strong leadership, and I believe I am … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Belanger will run for mayor in Biddeford

Tempers flare at city council meeting

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

Mayor breaks several tied votes Although the Biddeford City Council recently approved the creation of more than 150 housing units, several people who watched the June 17 Biddeford City Council meeting said they were “stunned” by the raw emotion and frustration on display by councilors and others who attended the meeting. The rather tense, marathon … Continue reading Tempers flare at city council meeting

City alleges ‘breach of contract’ by former city manager

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

According to documents filed in York County Superior Court, the city of Biddeford is asking the Court to dismiss a complaint filed earlier this year by former city manager James Bennett. In his lawsuit against the city, Bennett claims that he is entitled to more than $200,000 in wages and other compensation, as outlined in … Continue reading City alleges ‘breach of contract’ by former city manager

City manager files lawsuit against Biddeford

~ Randy Seaver ~ 4 Comments

Despite receiving a blistering and somewhat embarrassing report last week about the city’s financial controls and procedures, Biddeford officials are remaining tight-lipped about the abrupt departure of former city manager James Bennett. In fact, Bennett has filed a civil complaint against the city in York County Superior Court. During a public review of the city’s … Continue reading City manager files lawsuit against Biddeford

Biddeford receives ‘troubling report’ about the city’s financial management.

~ Randy Seaver ~ 3 Comments

Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and members of the Biddeford City Council received a blistering report Tuesday from the city’s independent financial auditor, Runyon, Kersteen and Ouellette (RKO). Although Tuesday’s audit presentation focused on the FY 2023 audit -- overdue for more than two years -- it also painted a troubling picture about how the city’s … Continue reading Biddeford receives ‘troubling report’ about the city’s financial management.

Downtown merchants struggle, remain hopeful

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

There has been almost endless talk on local social media sites about recent traffic congestion in Biddeford and Saco. The seven-month sewer upgrade project began in April and is expected to be completed in November. In the meantime, traffic sometimes becomes snarled near the cities' downtown core. That traffic and constant negative chatter on social … Continue reading Downtown merchants struggle, remain hopeful

Creative ideas floated for Biddeford traffic woes

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

A small contingent of downtown Biddeford business owners and residents filed into Mayor Marty Grohman’s office Wednesday morning to “brainstorm” and share ideas about how to soften the impact of an ongoing road construction project that sometimes snarls traffic. Grohman set up the meeting last week after his voicing his own concerns about the situation … Continue reading Creative ideas floated for Biddeford traffic woes

City touts ‘major success’ in addressing homelessness

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

(From city personnel and previous stories by the Biddeford Gazette) Biddeford city officials say that a new partnership between the city and the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center is delivering "real results" in addressing homelessness, with 43 individuals successfully housed since November through a "coordinated, compassionate approach." At the core of this success is what … Continue reading City touts ‘major success’ in addressing homelessness

Budget tensions include homeless funding

~ Randy Seaver ~ 4 Comments

Last week, more than two dozen people appeared before the Biddeford City Council, each of them requesting varying amounts of public funding for their respective non-profit organizations. It is an annual process that is just one part of the city’s annual budget. None of the public presenters were questioned or challenged about their funding requests … Continue reading Budget tensions include homeless funding

Chamber director announces pending departure

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

After nearly seven years at the helm, Jim LaBelle announced Thursday that he will be stepping down as executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry. LaBelle, 60, said he plans to stay in place and help the Chamber with its transition to new leadership. “It’s not an easy decision because I really … Continue reading Chamber director announces pending departure