City Manager finds some significant savings while councilors consider deep cuts to social service funding requests; a public hearing will be held tonight By RANDY SEAVER | Editor At the start of the Biddeford City Council’s budget workshop meeting on Monday, City Manager Truc Dever walked members of the council through several pages of a … Continue reading Council aims for ‘bare bones’ city budget
Tag: Patricia Boston
Tensions increase between UNE and Biddeford
The city announced today that it will appeal the dismissal of a legal complaint filed in connection with the university's controversial research pier. UNE describes the move as "frivolous" and a waste of taxpayer money. By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Tensions between the city of Biddeford and the University of New England seem to be … Continue reading Tensions increase between UNE and Biddeford
Is the Gazette biased against UNE?
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor A former Biddeford resident who now lives in Ada, Mich., recently sent an email to the Gazette complaining that we have been “unfair and biased” toward the University of New England. In his March 6 email, Bernard Roy – a 1971 Biddeford High School graduate – expressed disappointment regarding the Gazette’s … Continue reading Is the Gazette biased against UNE?
Frustrated residents share concerns about UNE
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor One by one, more than a dozen area residents approached the podium to offer comments and concerns about development at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus during a public hearing held by members of the newly created Institutional Zone Review Committee. The committee, which includes UNE President Dr. James Herbert, … Continue reading Frustrated residents share concerns about UNE
LETTER: City is treating UNE unfairly
By BERNARD ROY, Special to the Gazette I understand there is a moratorium on UNE initiated by the mayor and city council. UNE is an institution that is a huge plus for Biddeford. They hire professionals as professors, adjunct professors and administrators who live in our community. More importantly, UNE educates young people from Maine … Continue reading LETTER: City is treating UNE unfairly
READER OPINION | What was city thinking?
Weighted UNE committee is appalling and patently unfair to UNE By DIANE SNOW, Special to the Gazette A recent Portland Press Herald story regarding the committee set up to review the plans for University of New England [Biddeford Committee plans public hearing, Feb. 24, 2026] left me appalled because the committee is comprised primarily by … Continue reading READER OPINION | What was city thinking?
Eastern fire substation moving through review process
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor NOTE: This story has been updated in order to clarify that city of Biddeford has not had any formal discussions with the owners of the Biddeford Pool volunteer fire station. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. It is an idea that has been discussed for nearly a decade, but … Continue reading Eastern fire substation moving through review process
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
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?
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
Candidates share concerns about UNE pier
Amid the ongoing and intensifying controversy surrounding the University of New England’s plans to construct a large research pier on the Saco River, the two candidates who hope to represent that area on the city council say they are watching the issue closely. Former city councilor Patricia Boston and political newcomer Jim LaBelle both say … Continue reading Candidates share concerns about UNE pier
Boston, LaBelle both hoping for Ward One seat
Two candidates have stepped forward in hopes of representing Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods (Ward One) on the city council. Patricia Boston Jim LaBelle Pat Boston of Hills Beach is hoping to make a return to the city council after a 14-year hiatus. Political newcomer Jim LaBelle recently retired after serving seven years as the executive director … Continue reading Boston, LaBelle both hoping for Ward One seat
OPINION | Should age matter in Biddeford elections?
Age has – apparently -- become a factor in Biddeford’s upcoming municipal election. Today, the Biddeford Gazette published an update to its ongoing updates of potential candidates, pointing out that two more former councilors are hoping for a political comeback: Patricia Boston in Ward One and at-large candidate Clem Fleurent. Former city councilor Clement Fleurent … Continue reading OPINION | Should age matter in Biddeford elections?
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 