All across Maine, people are scrambling to help those who may be facing increased food insecurity as a result of the federal government shutdown.
Typically, Maine’s SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are distributed near the middle of the month. The program relies on federal funding.
According to state officials, nearly 170,000 people receive SNAP benefits in Maine.
Food pantry workers across the United States brace for impact from government shutdown. (Photo: Tri-State Community Food Bank)
In response to the looming crisis, state officials, community leaders, social service workers and volunteers are now scrambling to fill a potentially big hole if the government shutdown continues past Nov. 15.
“The concern is that local resources are already strained,” said Vassie Fowler, executive director of the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center in Biddeford.
“Our government is dropping the ball,” Fowler said. “So, now we all have to ask ourselves what we can do that will be impactful.”
Fowler announced this week that her organization will be trying to fill the gap by hosting free community dinners on Saturday and Sunday nights over the next few weeks, beginning Nov. 8.
The sit-down dinners will be available to anyone who needs a meal.
“I would love to have it be a neighborhood event,” Fowler said. “It’s what this agency was built upon. We want everyone to feel welcome. No one should have to eat alone.”
Currently, Seeds of Hope offers an average of 35 dinners to those who visit or sleep at the warming center. Fowler said she expects that number to spike in mid-November.
Vassie Fowler, executive director, Seeds of Hope
“We cannot ignore this,” Fowler said. “We have to do something.”
Gov. Janet Mills announced Wednesday that $1.25 million will be provided to help fund Maine food pantries and anti-hunger programs.
Those funds consist of $1 million from the governor’s contingency account and $250,000 from the John T. Gorman Foundation, according to WMTW-TV.
The Good Shepherd Food Bank will receive $650,000 to support food pantries and anti-hunger initiatives throughout Maine.
Community rallies in support of the less fortunate
In the Biddeford-Saco area, scores of people are stepping forward to make sure that no one will go hungry.
Earlier this week, local school students launched their Spare Change Fills Plates campaign to raise money for local food pantries.
Others have flooded community social media sites to organize and motivate people to volunteer and donate to food pantries.
Isn’t this what we are supposed to do?
— Vassie Fowler
In fact, the Gazette learned Thursday that several Biddeford political candidates are working to organize a food drive on Election Day, asking voters to consider donating a non-perishable food item when they go to vote at Biddeford High School.
The Biddeford Food Pantry is also hoping that they will see an uptick in both donations and volunteers. The Biddeford Food Pantry serves residents in Biddeford and several neighboring towns.
During a previous interview with this reporter, Don Bisson, the pantry’s executive director, said his pantry served 2,558 adults; 1,295 children and 1,228 families in just one month.
Looking ahead
When the Maine Legislature reconvenes in January, State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Biddeford) says he plans to submit legislation to “ensure that Maine’s nutrition incentive programs, like Harvest Bucks and SNAP, are not solely dependent upon federal match funding.”
“Among the worst impacts of the federal government shutdown is the impending loss of SNAP benefits for the entire month of November,” Ingwersen said.
State Sen. Henry Ingwersen
“When Washington is consumed by its own dysfunction and gridlock, we have to look out for our neighbors and ensure that Mainers can continue to feed Mainers,” he said.
“This bill would take a step toward protecting Mainers from going hungry when politicians play games,” Ingwersen said.
Ingwersen also drafted a bill (LD 468) to provide an additional $1.2 million per year to the Fund to Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutritional Incentives.
As part of the budget negotiation process, $600,000 of on-going funding was included in the state’s two-year budget.
Ingwersen pointed out that nearly 1,300 Biddeford households will be impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits.
Strong community support is evident
Vassie Fowler says she has been “blown away” by the support her non-profit organization has been receiving since announcing the free weekend dinners.
“I expected it to be positive, but I never imagined the reaction to our plan would be this positive,” she said.
Although Seeds of Hope is already spread thin in both funding and volunteers, Fowler says she has confidence in her volunteers and supporters.
“Sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith,” Fowler said. “Isn’t this what we’re supposed to do?
“When I see someone in need, there is no other choice for me.”
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Disclosure: Vassie Fowler serves on the Biddeford Gazette’s volunteer advisory board.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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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 – the third mayoral candidate – was not endorsed by the BTA. He was unavailable for comment at press time.
Beyond bragging rights, the endorsement from the Biddeford Teachers Association also opens up potential campaign funds from the statewide Maine Education Association Political Action Campaign (PAC) fund.
Marty GrohmanLiam LaFountain
According to an email the BTA sent to Grohman and LaFountain, they both earned the recommendation from the union’s Screening and Endorsement Committee.
The teachers’ union sent all candidates a questionnaire. The endorsements were based upon how the candidates answered those questions from the union.
Allison Pickering, vice president of the Biddeford Teachers Association, said the organization – “after great consideration” — decided to make a dual endorsement in the mayoral race, recommending two candidates for support by the union’s membership.
Pickering – a fifth-grade teacher at Biddeford Middle School — was not available for comment at press time, but according to the email she sent both Grohman and LaFountain, she described the two men as “preferred candidates.”
According to Pickering’s email, teachers in the city’s public schools are being asked to support Grohman and LaFountain, writing “we appreciate your commitment to the students and communities we serve.
“We thank you for taking the time to complete our candidate questionnaire and for sharing your views with us.
“We feel you will be a strong candidate dedicated to improving our local schools while listening and respecting the front-line educators who work with students every day,” she added.
Pickering told Grohman and LaFountain, that the BTA “will be working with staff at the Maine Education Association to make sure educators all over our city are aware of our support for your candidacy.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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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 over – is actually a holiday. And according to Maine state law, city clerks in each community are required to take local reporters out to lunch and pick up the tab.
A small collection of campaign signs near the intersection of Rte. 9 and Fortunes Rocks Road
On a more serious note, this is the time when people start asking my predictions about the outcome. In Biddeford, I have developed a reputation as the go-to-guy when it comes to local politics.
I know nothing about elections in Saco, Old Orchard Beach or Kennebunk. My “expertise” is rather limited, but I can chat Biddeford politics all day long.
This is the first election for the Biddeford Gazette, a media project I launched in January.
I have tried to be thorough, fair and accurate in all my coverage. I have written candidate profiles on each of the 28 candidates running for office (mayor, city council and school committee)
We have also done in-depth reporting about the local bond issues and thanks to our media partners at The Maine Monitor you can find a balanced analysis of the two state referendum questions.
I also took the initiative to organize the one and only debate featuring the three mayoral candidates, reaching out to my colleagues at Saco Bay News and the Press Herald to join me as panelists. We solicited our questions from the community and we had a great moderator, Craig Pendleton.
This will be my 15th Biddeford election. I started in 1997, and I have been fascinated by this city’s politics since.
Biddeford takes its elections seriously, and it can be a rough and tumble affair. You need to wear your big-boy pants if you’re going to tread in these waters.
I actually met my wife because she was running for office, and I made a mistake in my coverage of the Old Orchard Beach School Board race. (True story. Oct. 2001)
Laura started winning races after she married me and took my last name. (Also, a true story)
You can’t make predictions on just gut instinct or who has the most campaign signs posted at the Five Points intersection. You have to look at the data. Past performance is always a good indicator of future results.
You also have to consider other factors, including weather and various state referendum questions that will also be on the ballot.
According to extended weather forecasts, next Tuesday will be partly cloudy with a high of 53 degrees. The state referendum questions are rather benign and will not be big factors, unlike 2010 when Maine voters were asked to approve the Oxford Casino (Disclosure: I was a paid consultant on that referendum question)
You have to look at the data, past performance is a good indicator of future results
I decided this year to limit my data field to the last 10 years, beginning with the 2015 election.
Sadly, off-year municipal elections only draw about 30 percent of Biddeford’s registered voters to the polls. People in Biddeford love to complain about politics, but most of them can’t be bothered to vote.
So, let’s take a quick glance at past elections.
In 2015, there were 34 candidates on the ballot (mayor, council, school committee) and four local referendum questions. Alan Casavant was seeking a third, consecutive term and challenged by Daniel Parenteau. Turnout was 30.03 percent of registered voters, Casavant kicked ass, 2,494 – 1,437
In 2017, voter turnout was 30.93 percent with 22 candidates. Casavant faced only two write-in opponents and breezed to victory for a fourth term with 3,497 votes.
Laura (Seaver) was also reelected as an At-Large councilor, slightly trailing Marc Lessard, 2,989 – 2,902. More importantly School Committee candidate Lisa Vadnais garnered 3,041 votes (Pay attention here. There will be a test later).
In 2019, Things got interesting, Casavant was almost defeated for a fifth term by Jason Litalien who came in a close second (2,234 – 2,127). Turnout was 29.91 percent. Both Lessard (3,051) and Vadnais (2,971) topped the ballot.
In 2021, Casavant easily rolled over challenger Victoria Foley, 3,237 – 1,849. Voter turnout was 33.05 percent. Again, Lessard (3,403) and Vadnais (3,297) topped the ballot. Why the slight bump in turnout? Not sure. There was a statewide referendum about CMP’s transmission corridor project.
Finally, in 2023, Casavant decided not to seek a seventh term. City Councilor Marty Grohman defeated former State Senator Susan Deschambault, 2,894 – 2,223. Not a landslide, but certainly comfortable. Again, Vadnais (3,374) and Lessard (3,021) topped the ballots with the most votes per candidate.
My predictions for 2025
Yours truly showing off our work for Casavant in 2013.
This is a three-way race. Marty has the advantage of the incumbency, but he also has the disadvantage of being the incumbent. When voters are not happy, the incumbent hears about it.
In fairness, Marty can’t be held responsible for some things beyond his control, but his leadership has been called into question by two city councilors who work with him closely. His endorsements of council candidates this year, have actually been rejected by some of those candidates.
It’s a three-way race, and that’s Marty’s best hope going forward. Will Councilors Liam LaFountain and Norm Belanger split the “anti-Marty” vote. Sure, but by how much?
It all depends on how many supporters Belanger and LaFountain can get to the polls.
Bottom line? This race is too close to call, but I will make a prediction . . . on Tuesday night, one hour before the polls close. Most of my predictions will be posted on this site at the same time.
Sure, we all know Councilor Roger Beaupre is unopposed in Ward Three and newcomer David Kurtz is unopposed in Ward Five, but what about the other council races? Again, most of them are too close to call . . . except one.
Three candidates are vying for the two At-Large seats on the council: Marc Lessard, Nasreen A. Shekh-Yousef and Lisa Vadnais.
Past performance matters. Lessard and Vadnais will be the winners, and it will be somewhat interesting to see which one gets the most votes.
First, she did not do any diligent reconnaissance work. Although she is a board member at the Heart of Biddeford, she has not served on any municipal boards or committees. She has lived in Biddeford less than four years. Her name recognition before taking out nomination papers was virtually nil, and it hasn’t improved much since.
Secondly, in my opinion, she bit off more than she could chew by seeking an at-large seat right out of the gate. Yes, it can be done. Doris Ortiz proved that, but not if you’re going up against two of the city’s heaviest hitters.
Had Sheikh-Yousef run for Ward Five City Council, I firmly believe she would have had a fair shot at winning, depending on the other candidates.
Although she did not hire me, I will offer her a bit of free advice:
Keep doing what you’re doing. After election day, continue to find other ways to be an engaged citizen. Biddeford could benefit from your perspective. Stay involved and be a part of the city’s continuing conversation.
And to all the candidates, thank you so much for stepping up to serve your community. You are working really hard to get a job that pays less than $100 a month and will take up several hours of your time.
You are willing to share your address and take criticism for almost every thing you do. You will be required to sit through mind-numbing presentations and smile for photo-ops.
I don’t know why you do it, but thank you.
I will be providing all-day coverage on Election Day with regular social media updates.
On Wednesday, I am going to sleep-in and enjoy the lunch that Robin Patterson is buying for me.
P.S.Campaign signs by the side of the road mean nothing. Campaign signs on peoples’ lawns mean everything.
Happy? Not Happy? The Biddeford Gazette welcomes feedback from our readers, especially when it comes to different opinions and perspectives. For more information, about how to send a Letter to the Editor or Guest Column, please contact us.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Ten candidates are hoping to win one of seven at-large seats on the Biddeford School Committee.
This year’s race will feature some new faces, and a few current members – including Randy Forcier, John McCurry and Lisa Vadnais — will not be seeking reelection.
We asked each of the candidates what they consider as the biggest challenges facing Biddeford’s School System and their top priorities.
Jessica A. Cinquegrano:
Jessica Cinquegrano, 37, is a political newcomer and a “stay-at-home mom” of two young children.
She has been a Biddeford resident since 2019.
Cinquegrano says many of the challenges facing the city’s schools can be traced back to “a lack of adequate funding.”
Jessica Cinquegrano
If elected, she said her three main priorities will include focusing on the wellbeing and safety of our students “so that every child feels supported and able to thrive both academically and emotionally.”
She also wants to make sure that educators have the tools, resources and support they need “to provide every student with a high-quality, forward-looking, and equitable education.”
Cinquegrano also said she wants to maintain responsible stewardship of our budget—”ensuring that every dollar is spent wisely to support students, teachers and long-term sustainability while working through some of the roadblocks we’ve faced to secure more state funding.”
“As a parent of school-aged kids, I’m deeply invested in ensuring they—and all their peers—receive the best education possible,” Cinquegrano said. “In today’s climate, I believe it’s vital to support scientifically backed curriculum and to uphold our schools as safe, inclusive spaces for every student.
“Although I’m not originally from Maine, I’ve fallen in love with this small and vibrant city,” she said. “I want to make sure every marginalized voice is heard, because our diversity is one of Biddeford’s greatest strengths.”
Amy Clearwater:
Amy Clearwater, 41, is a former Biddeford city councilor. A Maine native, she moved to Biddeford in 2017. She is married with two kids.
Clearwater serves on several community service boards, including the My Place Teen Center; the Biddeford Housing Authority and the MacArthur Library.
Amy Clearwater
She is the Senior Vice President of Investor Services at what she describes as “a large global bank.”
Clearwater says her top priority is ensuring that today’s students will thrive as adults tomorrow.
“This is a wild time for education in America,” Clearwater said. “We’ve weathered a pandemic and experienced some significant local demographic shifts. Kids growing up today are having a markedly different experience than I had in public school a generation ago. Social media, information literacy, AI tools — there’s a good deal of uncharted territory for them.”
Clearwater says she has “an open mind, a strong understanding of municipal governance, and a stakeholder-focused approach to managing a very complex system.”
“I’m running for School Committee because, at this time of short-sighted and cruel federal attacks on education and social service funding, I feel obligated to do all I can in Biddeford to support our schools and provide my skills and abilities in service of good outcomes for all of Biddeford’s kids.” Clearwater said.
Meagan Desjardins:
Meagan Desjardins, 46, is a current school committee member and is hoping for a third two-year term.
Desjardins is a social worker at Massabesic High School.
Meagan Desjardins
“My focus as a school committee member and curriculum committee member has been to support aligning our K-12 curriculum so that our students have a quality and effective curriculum,” she said. “Student scores are low, so supporting academic standards is a priority of mine. Improving student readiness for college and the workforce is a priority.
Desjardins said state funding issues represent one of her biggest concerns. “The formula to decide state subsidy is flawed, and our community is at a disadvantage,” she said.
“Less money coming into the school means less money for the services our students need,” she said. “We have ELL (English Language Learner) students, homeless students and truancy issues to name a few of our challenges.
“Fewer dollars per child means less of an investment in support the complex needs within our district.”
Desjardins said school staff are spread thin, impacting all students in the school district. Advocating for fixing the state funding formula is crucial,” she said. “It is also crucial to make sure we are putting the most efficient services possible in place for all of our students.”
When asked why she is seeking another term on the school committee, she said serves as a way to “give back” to her community.
“Given my experience in a public school, I believe I have the insight and passion for public education that can be helpful to our district,” Desjardins said. “I believe it takes time to understand the ins and outs of being a school committee member, and with this being my third term, I think I offer experience that can help our district move forward towards the goals we have been setting over the last several years.”
Desjardins said the word “transparency” has been a buzzword throughout this election cycle. “We have been talking about the need for transparency from the school committee throughout the last four years. I believe creating more transparency about our schools, policies and curriculum is vital to getting the community support and creating accountability.”
Stephanie C. Edwards, PhD:
Stephanie Edwards, 40, is involved in several community groups and says she is seeking a seat on the school committee because she was raised by an elementary school teacher and teachers’ union leader.
“I am a proud product of public-school education,” she said.
Dr. Stephanie Edwards
Edwards moved to Biddeford in 2016. She has served on the Downtown Development Commission, as co-chair of the Comprehensive Plan Public Engagement Process; and as a volunteer at the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center.
Edwards is a professor at Boston College and executive director at the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium.
Edwards said she is running for school committee “to help create the best educational environment possible for our students.”
“As a committee member, my primary role will be to offer responsive, transparent, community-led oversight to meet the challenges, and highlight the strengths of our schools,” she said.
Edwards listed her top three priorities as: Maximizing budget efficiency; providing a supportive administration that responds to the needs of teachers, staff, students, and parent/guardians; and implementing policies to support the overall well-being of everyone in the school system.
“As Biddeford grows and changes, we must invest more into our school system to provide the tools necessary to equip our youth for the people they are and are becoming,” she said. “I believe schools must be our number one priority and it is the role of the School Committee to help realize these goals.”
“I was raised by an elementary school teacher and teachers’ union leader, and I am a proud product of public-school education,” Edwards said. “Ensuring quality public education is a mutual responsibility, and one I am excited to engage in as a committee member.”
Emily Henley
Emily Henley, 34, has a master’s degree in education and was a classroom teacher in Westbrook schools for five years. Henley moved to Biddeford in 2019.
Today, Henley works as a Curriculum Coordinator for 240 Tutoring, Inc.
Emily Henley
“Students are struggling in the wake of the pandemic,” Henley said. “Teachers are working hard to meet their needs and need support in the form of effective policies and curriculum, continuing education opportunities and strategically selected resources.”
Henley said the strength of Biddeford schools is directly related to the strength of our future community.
“Biddeford is a special place,” she said. “And we want to ensure our students have a strong education and access to post-secondary education opportunities so they can lead this community into the future.”
Henley said Biddeford’s school curriculum needs to reflect the most recent evidence-backed practices and methods and be the most cost-effective to allow resources to stretch and reach every student.
“Biddeford is blossoming into a beautiful, welcoming, and diverse Maine city,” Henley said. “We need to make sure our schools support all students and help all families feel at home in this beautiful place. The school committee can support this goal by encouraging community involvement in school events, supporting cultural diversity in our classroom resources and programming, and ensuring that schools are empowered and resourced to support struggling families.”
Henley says her background and her expertise will make her a valuable voice for student advocacy on the school committee.
“My experience as a teacher and current position as a curriculum coordinator for a national company have given me unique insight into education policy and opportunities for growth in Biddeford schools,” she said. “I see untapped opportunities for collaboration.
“I hope to collaborate with teachers, student leaders, administrators, community members, and fellow school committee members to help find creative solutions to the complex problems to improve outcomes for our students, families and schools.”
Michele Landry:
Michele Landry, 53, has lived in Biddeford for 28 years. She has served two terms on the school committee since 2021.
Landry has also served as a member of the Biddeford Education Foundation Board member for seven years; and on the advisory board for BLAST (Biddeford Learns After School Together) since 2022.
Michele Landry
Landry says a lack of affordable housing continues to present multiple challenges for the city’s schools because it is difficult to attract and retain talented teachers and other faculty members because they can’t afford to live in Biddeford.
She also said the school system is seeing an increase in the number of students experiencing homelessness and dealing with food insecurity.
Landry also said “inequities in the current state funding formula” are creating financial strains on the city’s public schools.
“The [funding] formula is based in part on city valuations, and as Biddeford’s valuations continue to rise, state funding for schools has decreased,” she said. “We receive less state money than many affluent communities whose valuations have remained more constant over the last few years.”
“Until the state addresses these inequities, we need to find creative ways to do more with less for both our teachers and students,” she added.
Landry said she is running for reelection because she wants to serve her community and give back to the district where her children received their education.
“Our schools face multiple challenges,” she said. “And I want to help find solutions despite the financial constraints, that will aid our teachers in providing all of our students, regardless of situation, the best education possible.”
Karen Ruel:
Karen Ruel, 57, is a lifelong Biddeford resident. She is married and has two children who attended and graduated from Biddeford’s public schools and works as an LTC director.
She has been a member of the school committee for three terms, beginning in 2016.
When asked about her top three priorities and concerns, Ruel listed ensuring a quality academic curriculum for every student as her top concern.
Secondly, Ruel says she wants to make resources for teachers to accomplish and excel in their roles; while providing a safe environment for students and teachers.
“I am seeking a seat on the Biddeford school board as I believe every student should be afforded a quality education in a safe environment,” Ruel said. “I bring experience as a three-term prior school board member, positivity and genuine curiosity. I understand the importance of collaboration and problem solving to turn ideas into action. I am a true believer in lifelong learning.”
Tim Stebbins:
Tim Stebbins, 63, is a lifelong Biddeford resident. He is a retired educator and has served eight years on the city’s recreation commission.
Tim Stebbins
Asked to identify the top three challenges facing the city’s schools, Stebbins said the district needs a solid plan to deal with a rapidly growing MLL (Multi-Language Learners) population. “I see it as an opportunity to expand our capacity to help new families in acclimating to our school system and enriching the school environment in the process,” he said. “I do not want any of our student populations to go without the necessary resources available to help make them successful in their educational journey.”
Stebbins also identified test scores throughout the district as another priority for educators. “With limited resources available and the need to extend those resources to the various mandated programs that exist, it becomes a delicate balance of where to spend the available money,” he said.
Stebbins said he would like to work on “curriculum matters in order to have vertical alignment, K-12.”
“There should be consistency between the grade levels of the schools in Biddeford,” he added. “What are we teaching, how do we deliver the instruction, and how do we know if students are learning are vital questions to ask when assessing any school district?”
Stebbins said school officials need to look at the demographics of a community and to allocate the funds judiciously in order to get the best value for spending.
“Are we meeting the needs of all the learners, or are we meeting only a certain population of the learners in Biddeford schools?” he asked. “There isn’t a program on the market that will meet the needs of all learners, so I’m committed to look at various alternatives that would support the curriculum needs of our teachers”
Stebbins said he is running for a seat on the school committee as “a way to give back to a community that has afforded me many opportunities in my professional life.”
“I have been a teacher, coach, and an administrator in my professional career and always felt supported by the people around me. I want current educators to feel the same way. I want to support initiatives that will enhance our schools and make them stronger for the future.
“I want people moving to Biddeford, not just for the vibrant community it has become, but for the education the schools can provide for their family.”
NOTE: Candidates Andrew Barrs and Marie Potvin did not respond to our request for information about their campaigns.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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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 and Facebook.
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UPDATE | Biddeford’s 2025 Election Results
City Council President Liam LaFountain edged out one-term incumbent Marty Grohman in a three-way race that also included former city councilor Norman Belanger.
In the three-way race, LaFountain picked up 2,626 votes (42 percent) over Grohman’s 2,414 votes (38 percent) and Belanger’s 1,273 votes (20) percent.
NOTE | You can see my previous interview with Randy — where we talked about my 2024 Top 20 local politicians and policy maker list — at the link below.
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UPDATE | Biddeford’s 2025 Election Results
City Council President Liam LaFountain edged out one-term incumbent Marty Grohman in a three-way race that also included former city councilor Norman Belanger.
In the three-way race, LaFountain picked up 2,626 votes (42 percent) over Grohman’s 2,414 votes (38 percent) and Belanger’s 1,273 votes (20) percent.
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 of the candidates in those two races.
Marc LessardNasreen A. Sheikh-YousefLisa Vadnais
The mayor said he will not offer any endorsement in the three-way at-large council race between City Councilor Marc Lessard, Nasreen Sheikh-Yousef and Lisa Vadnais, nor will he make an endorsement in the Ward Six race between Roger Hurtubise and Jake Pierson.
Grohman yesterday endorsed city council candidate Brad Cote in the Ward Seven race over Sam Pecor; and says he hopes that John McCurry will defeat Abigail Woods in the Ward Two race.
Grohman today said he is also endorsing Jim LaBelle over Patricia Boston in the Ward One race; and City Councilor Dylan Doughty over former councilor Bobby Mills in the Ward Four race.
“It looks like he is attempting to set an agenda of more of the same.”
–– Candidate Bobby Mills
In our previous story about the mayor’s endorsements, Pecor said he is not surprised that Grohman is endorsing Brad Cote in Ward Seven. During Tuesday’s council meeting, Pecor offered sharp criticism of the mayor.
In the Ward One council race, former councilor Patricia Boston said she is “not at all surprised” that Grohman endorsed her opponent, Jim LaBelle.
Two years ago, Boston served as campaign treasurer for Susan Deschambault in the 2023 mayoral race between Grohman and Deschambault.
Boston is currently serving as campaign treasurer for mayoral candidate Norman Belanger.
Former city councilor Bobby Mills described Grohman’s endorsements as “weird.”
“I’ve never heard of a mayoral candidate struggling for a reelection bid endorsing candidates, specifically not the ones critical of him,” Mills said.
“It looks like he (Grohman) is attempting to set an agenda of more of the same.”
City Councilor Marc Lessard said he is somewhat baffled by Grohman’s decision to make endorsements in only some of the contested races.
Lessard has served on the city council off and on for more than 30 years. He recalled mayoral races from the 1980s, 1970s and before, in which a mayoral candidate would choose a slate of council candidates to run on a specific “ticket.”
“I’m almost positive that the practice of running with a slate of council candidates last happened in the mid-1990s, when Jim Grattelo won his campaign for mayor,” Lessard said.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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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 endorsing John McCurry in the Ward Two race over political newcomer Abigail Woods.
Brad CoteSam Pecor
Earlier today, Cote posted a brief video of himself on Instagram. Within minutes, the mayor – through his campaign page – offered an endorsement of Cote over Sam Pecor, the other Ward Seven candidate.
“Brad is experienced and level headed,” Grohman wrote. “He is the clear choice for this seat. Please join me in supporting Brad Cote for Ward 7!”
Cote told the Gazette that the mayor’s comment was unsolicited. “I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing,” he laughed.
Pecor said he is not especially surprised that Grohman endorsed his opponent in the Ward Seven race, especially since the endorsement came less than 24 hours after he publicly criticized the mayor during a special public meeting on Thursday.
“I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing”
— Candidate Brad Cote
Grohman said his endorsement of Cote was not related to Pecor’s public criticism on Thursday night.
When asked if he would be endorsing other city council races, Grohman said he is supporting John McCurry in the Ward Two race over Abigail Woods. Grohman also said he would like to see McCurry become the next council president.
John McCurryAbigail Woods
The mayor did not respond to our question about whether he will also make endorsements in the at-large race and in the Wards One, Four and Six races.
“Again, this is something that raises concern about the mayor’s ability to be impartial and transparent,” Pecor said. “You can’t say with a straight face that this is coincidence. It’s very hard to believe that my criticism of the mayor and his endorsement of my opponent today are unrelated.”
Ward Two candidate Abigail Woods said she was disappointed that Grohman endorsed her opponent, especially since she and the mayor both share a priority in meeting the needs of the unhoused and low-income renters, issues that Woods describes as her area of expertise.
“We are all neighbors,” Woods said. “Ideally we will work together no matter who is elected. His endorsement of only two individuals could make this challenging.”
McCurry said he was also surprised to learn that the mayor was his endorsing his campaign in Ward Two.
“I never asked for his endorsement,” McCurry said. “But if he is going to be offering endorsements, he should do them for all the races. There is nothing wrong with the mayor endorsing candidates, but he should not be picking and choosing only certain races.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Biddeford voters will soon decide the fate of a $6 million bond that would be used to upgrade, repair and enhance several of the city’s recreational assets, including parks, playgrounds and buildings.
On Tuesday, the Biddeford Gazette was invited to tour some of the sites that need upgrades and repairs.
Facilities coordinator Brian Dunphe points to pipes that are leaking and patched in the basement of the J. Richard Martin Community Center. (Seaver photo)
Lisa Thompson has been the director of the Biddeford Recreation Department for a little more than three years.
Thompson says she wants people “to feel proud” of Biddeford’s parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities.
If approved by voters, the recreation bond will have a $38 impact on the average homeowner
Currently, Thompson says her staff is spending more time on patching problems on aging infrastructure instead of focusing on services and programs for city residents.
“Basically, we have a never-ending to-do list,” Thompson said, pointing out that funding for recreation is often considered to be a luxury item, ignoring how many residents use their services and programs.
Thompson concedes that the $6 million bond will likely not cover everything on her “to-do list,” but said the funding will allow her department to tackle “high priority” repairs and upgrades.
City Manager Truc Dever said that if the bond is approved by voters, the city will begin a community engagement effort to see which projects residents most support.
“Ultimately, the city council will have the final say, but we want the public to be actively involved in the decision-making process,” Dever said.
If approved by voters, the recreation bond will have an impact of a little more than nine cents on the mil rate.
Based on the average bond payment, the impact of this question on a median home valued at $382,500 is $37.62, according to city officials.
The tour revealed several examples of aging and inefficient infrastructure that is currently being funded in a piecemeal manner that does not address long-term needs.
Our tour began in the very same building where the Recreation Department is housed: The J. Richard Martin Community Center on Alfred Street.
In addition to housing the Recreation Department, the building is also used by a number of non-profit community groups, including La Kermesse, Meals on Wheels and the 50-Plus club. Those clubs all pay leases for their respective spaces in the building.
The Community Center – formerly a public school — was built in 1888, and it is showing its age.
A group of young men play a quick pic-up game of basketball at Mayfield Park
The building’s heating, ventilation and cooling costs have been skyrocketing because of inefficiencies and an outdated heating and ventilation system with an old boiler and a giant oil-fired hot water tank.
According to Facilities Coordinator Brian Dunphe, it takes an average of 500 gallons of heating oil each week to keep the building heated.
“We’re spending roughly $65,000 per year just for heating oil,” Dunphe said.
Our next stop was at St. Louis Field, located at the corner of Hill and West streets.
Brian Dunphe holds up a section of the sagging perimeter fence at St. Louis Field
St. Louis Field is used by the Biddeford High School baseball teams and is home to the annual La Kermesse Festival. The University of New England also rents the field for its baseball teams.
The field’s perimeter fence is rotting, and its concrete anchors are cracked and visible. The current fence sags and is a stark contrast to the nearby Waterhouse Field, which is operated and controlled by the Biddeford School Department.
Dunphe said a 2023 estimate for replacement of the fencing was $380,000.
At Rotary Park, the club house building does not meet standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA) The bath house needs a new roof, and you can see where plywood was placed to prevent birds from nesting in the roof.
At Mayfield Park on May Street, we came across a group of young adults playing basketball not far from tennis courts that need to be resurfaced.
“We need activities that young people can use,” said Gabe Smith, who said he visits the park two to three times per week. “Young people need resources and positive, safe opportunities.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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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 Citizens Grievance meeting, and more than a dozen of them took turns speaking at the podium about a wide array of concerns about the pier’s review process and its proposed location.
Although an appeal of the Biddeford Planning Board’s narrow approval will take place on November 13, the university’s plan has already been approved by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Saco River Corridor Commission.
Wade Goldthwait of Biddeford Pool tells the council that the city missed several opportunities for a better review process, (Seaver photo)
One of the most notable complaints of the evening came from several people who said the city’s harbormaster should have been part of the review process.
In the moments before the meeting started, Mayor Grohman was circulating copies of letters that were sent to Biddeford’s harbormaster by former city manager James Bennett last year.
“It’s important that people understand I had nothing to do with removing the harbormaster from the review process,” said Grohman who is hoping voters will give him another term in the Nov. 5 election.
Although Grohman did not personally tell the harbormaster to step down, he consistently said he supported Bennett’s decision.
“I think we have come a long way over the past few years,” Grohman said during that 2024 interview. “From where I sit, it appears to me that the university is more than willing to work with us. We all know that relationship has not always been smooth, but I am reasonably confident we can work together.”
Grohman was singing a much different tune on Thursday to a packed council chamber full of people upset about how the city has handled the review process. He nervously paced through the audience, handing out copies of Bennett’s letters and directives to Paul Lariviere, the city’s harbormaster.
University of New England Vice President Alan Thibault and the school’s senior attorney sat in the back row during the grievance meeting, quietly listening to some scathing citizen comments. They did not take notes.
After the meeting, Thibault declined an opportunity to comment about the meeting and the concerns raised.
Tensions and concerns run deep
The meeting was moderated by Craig Pendleton, a former commercial fisherman with deep ties to the community.
Although many residents expressed frustration about how the review process was handled, all the speakers spoke with civility and respect, following the basic guidelines that Pendleton laid out during his opening statement.
Wade Goldthwait, a highly respected resident and businessman in Biddeford Pool, said the harbormaster should have never been removed. “It’s too bad that it has come to this, it just breaks my heart.”
Carole Alexander, wife of the late Marshall Alexander, who was the city’s harbormaster for 37 years, said the current harbormaster was not “biased” against the university. “He was just doing his job,” she said. “Was he biased because he would not back down to an institution with deep pockets?
“The problem is not the pier,” she added. “The problem is its location.”
Steve Martin said the city’s charter is clear and that the harbormaster can only be removed by the city council, not the city manager. “This doesn’t sit right with me, and it doesn’t feel right.” he said.
“The problem is not the pier. The problem is its location.”
— Carole Alexander
Capt. Shawn Tibbetts, who has owned his mooring on the Saco River for 14 years, said he will be directly impacted by the proposed pier location. “At least seven mooring owners will be impacted by this thing,” he said. “We have been ignored and removed all local knowledge from the process.”
Tibbetts pointed out that Randy Desmaris, Biddeford’s assistant harbormaster, or Saco’s harbormaster could have been tapped to review the project if the city felt that Lariviere was biased.
Resident Ken Buechs said he felt as if the city’s Planning Board was “coached by the city attorney to arrive at a pre-determined location.”
Joe Emmons of Biddeford said the council needs to learn how “to avoid this situation in the future.”
“How does this pier actually benefit the citizens of Biddeford?” he added.
“Now that we know that there is a 250-foot buffer zone that was overlooked, how can the city issue a permit,” asked Gary McMullen.
Emma Bouthillette, a former university student, said she was dismayed that the university seems indifferent to environmental impacts as they continue a course of more development and an increasing campus.
“I have seen several projects just pushed through,” she said. “They have impacted wetlands and critical habitats. This pier is another attempt to get what they want without regard for the environment.”
The meeting lasted a little more than an hour and the audience applauded when the meeting was concluded.
“I think people were pleased to have an opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns in a constructive manner,” Pendleton said.
Councilor Roger Beaupre said he was impressed by the tone and process of the meeting. “I had no idea what to expect,” he said. “But I think it was well organized and presented.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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The city of Biddeford is poised to hire Denise Clavette as its next director of Planning and Economic Development, a position that has been vacant since July.
If approved by the city council on Tuesday, Clavette will fill the void left by the sudden resignation of George Gervais who held the job for only 18 months.
According to her proposed employment contract, Clavette will be paid $125,000 per year as a salaried employee with four weeks of paid vacation time.
Clavette has worked in several Maine communities, including serving as Saco’s director of economic development for nearly four years, 2018-2022.
According to her resume, Clavette previously served as assistant city manager in Auburn; two years as economic development director for the town of South Berwick.
Clavette is today the economic development director for the Town of Gray, Maine, a position she started 11 months ago.
On her resume, Clavette describes herself as a “professional, ethical and innovative leader with excellent communication skills.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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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 former State Senator and school committee member Lloyd LaFountain. And the younger LaFountain says he was “intrigued” by politics at an early age.
Today, LaFountain works as a senior data analyst for Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine, “a collaborative non-profit of private employers and public trusts dedicated to lowering healthcare costs and improving quality.”
After attending Biddeford schools, including St. James, Biddeford Intermediate and Biddeford Middle School, LaFountain graduated from Gonzaga University, a Jesuit school in Washington state, where he earned a degree in international relations.
He and his wife, Eisha, have been married four years and own a home on Elm Street.
LaFountain says his campaign is built on a foundation of increasing public trust and repairing government accountability with a “back-to-basics” approach that will ensure the city’s residents know what is happening at City Hall with improved transparency.
In all his campaign materials, LaFountain uses ‘ACT” as an acronym to describe his priorities. Accountability, Commitment and Transparency.
“Biddeford is at a pivotal moment,” LaFountain said. “The choices we make today—about education, housing, infrastructure, public services and other priorities—will shape our city for decades to come.
“That future must be built with care, grounded in data, and rooted in what residents truly need,” he added.
LaFountain said his top concern is about “affordability” on many different levels.
“We have a situation now where people are paying more than 50 percent of their take-home pay on housing,” he said. “That’s just not a sustainable course for the city.”
LaFountain said it’s important to note that the issue of affordability also impacts small and mid-sized businesses in the city because people have less discretionary income for shopping or dining and said business are also grappling with skyrocketing rents and increasing taxes.
“Our future must be built with care, grounded in data, and rooted in what residents truly need”
— Liam LaFountain
As he continues his campaign, LaFountain says he has heard from scores of residents who are frustrated about a lack of responsiveness from city government.
“We really do need to get back to basics,” he said. “We have to make sure that we’re getting information to residents, but we also have to make sure that all community voices are heard.”
Over the last few months, Liam has voiced concerns about private development projects that offer little or no benefit to residents.
“We need development that serves us, not just development for development’s sake,” he said. “We seem to have our roles reversed, catering to private interest instead of the people we represent.”
As examples of development that relied upon public investments that offer scant benefits for taxpayers, LaFountain pointed to the Marble Block building on Main Street that is now home to a bowling alley and luxury apartments that are being rented for more than $4,000 per month.
“We provided that developer with nearly $1 million of credit enhancements, which will put residential taxpayers on the hook for many years to come,” he said. “What are we really getting in return? I’d rather see that money invested in our recreation department that offers safe after school opportunities for all kids, regardless of their ability to pay.”
“The gravy train has to stop,” he added. “Our focus needs to be on the public. We should be promoting things that offer broad public benefit.”
In addition to holding developers accountable, LaFountain says that the same standard needs to be applied at City Hall.
“We are still two years behind on our internal audit,” he said. “That’s just not acceptable. We have let things slide, and it is a disservice to our community.”
LaFountain says city leaders need to “meet people where they are,” whether through rotating, small ward meetings or open-office hours at City Hall.
“Biddeford residents are thirsty for information,” he said. “We cannot just focus on the good news. We need transparency and accountability especially when it comes to facing our challenges.”
When asked why he is willing to give up a lot of his time and energy as the city’s mayor, LaFountain said he is concerned that so many of the kids he grew up with can no longer afford to live in Biddeford.
“Biddeford is where I grew up,” he said. “This is where I hope to grow old.”
For more information about LaFountain’s campaign, please visit his campaign website: LaFountainForMayor.com
Roughly 40 Biddeford residents turned out Tuesday for a “town hall” style meeting in order to learn more and ask questions about two local bond questions that will appear on the November ballot.
Various city officials and department heads took turns presenting information and fielding questions from concerned residents during the hour-long meeting.
Biddeford residents listen to information about two local bond questions that will be on the ballot,
The Q&A session was followed by a guided tour of the J. Richard Martin Community Center, which houses the city’s recreation department.
Because the city is still behind on completing its FY ’24 and FY ’25 audits, some residents wondered if Biddeford will be able to qualify for a competitive interest rate on the bond repayments.
Both City Manager Truc Dever and Finance Director Gerry Matherne said they expect the overdue FY2024 audit to be done by December, ahead of when the city would be applying for bond approval.
Although the city can only estimate the expected rates, approval of both questions – upgrades to the city’s sewer system ($20 million) and funding repairs and upgrades at the city’s recreational facilities ($6 million) – will have a combined impact of about 37 cents on the mil rate.
The average Biddeford home would see a $147 property tax impact.
Public Works Director Jeff Demers said the city is making steady progress in complying with state-mandated sewer separation projects, but said a future project could pose significant impacts on downtown businesses.
“We have already completed what we call the low-hanging fruit,” Demers explained. “We’re going to do the very best we can possibly do, and we will be working closely with business owners.”
City Manager Truc Dever (right) explains the impact of the city’s ongoing efforts to meet state-mandates regarding sewer separation as Public Works Director Jeff Demers listens.
Recreation Director Lisa Thompson listed a number of repair and upgrade projects that are long overdue at several of the city’s recreational facilities, including the West Brook skating rink, St, Louis Field, Rotary Park, the Biddeford Ice arena and the now closed skate park on outer Main Street.
“The city has seen tremendous growth in the past year, and we want to ensure that we can meet the demands that the public wants and needs,” Thompson said.
City Councilor Marc Lessard stood up from his seat in the audience to make an impassioned plea for investments in the city’s recreational assets.
“We are a service center community,” Lessard said. “Our recreational facilities attract new investments and growth in our community. Unfortunately, when things get tight, recreation is usually the first thing to be cut.
“I am a huge supporter of our city’s recreational resources,” he continued. “We have delayed these projects long enough.
“The loss of our skatepark is the poster child of what happens when we put off critical investments,” Lessard added.
Not all residents said they would support the two bonds.
“We’re writing checks we can’t cash,” said Mike Bouthillette of Biddeford.
Bouthillette asked several pointed questions during the presentation, saying the city should be looking for other sources of revenue by selling unused properties and increasing user fees for recreational buildings.
NOTE: A previous version of this story contained incorrect information about the anticipated completion of the city’s FY 2024 audit. We apologize for the error.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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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 2024 to approve the university’s pier project, which includes construction of an access road that can accommodate large vehicles including fire/rescue trucks.
That access road, however, will be constructed within a 250-foot non-development “buffer” zone that was created by an agreement between the university and the SRCC in 2001.
Alan Thibeault, a UNE vice president, leads members of the planning board and the public through a wooded area where an access road will be built to accommodate the university’s planned research pier. (Seaver photo)
The agreement came as the result of a quid-pro-quo arrangement between the SRCC and the university, which allowed the university to build two new dormitories that would exceed a 35-foot height restriction.
In return for the height variance, the university agreed to create a 250-foot buffer zone along the river frontage on the school’s campus to protect the “environmentally sensitive” area.
Although the minutes of that June 2001 meeting shows no ambiguity on the matter, the SRCC today admits that the approval they granted last year did not take the previous agreement into consideration.
“It does appear that there was an omission of relevant information provided to the commissioners before last year’s vote,” said Cherie Dunning, the SRCC’s executive director.
Dunning said there is nothing that can be done today to fix the situation since a 30-day appeal window has come and gone.
Dunning added that her agency has been “overwhelmed” by the number of applications filed by the university over the last few years, describing the agency’s workload as an “administrative burden.”
The SRCC is a quasi-state agency with statutory control over all development along the Saco River.
“It does appear that there was an omission of relevant information provided to the commissioners before last year’s vote.”
— Cherie Dunning, SRCC exec. director
A group of commissioners is made up of representatives from all municipalities along the river. Don Furman, Biddeford’s representative on the SRCC, abstained from voting on UNE’s application in August 2024.
Ben Pinault, the commission chairperson, did not return our request for comment, as of press time.
For her part, Dunning said she and other staff are “working to prevent similar errors in the future.”
When asked if UNE’s permit should be revoked since new information has come to light, Dunning said there is nothing the SRCC can do about the past mistake, suggesting that the matter could be settled in the courts.
Sarah Delage, a UNE spokesperson, said the Saco River Corridor Commission did not impose a ‘no-build’ or ‘no construction’ zone within a 250-foot zone from the river.
Delage also said that Sandra Featherman – the university’s former president – “did not make any commitment that UNE would never seek to build a research pier on the Saco River.”
Many members of the public have expressed concerns about the location of UNE’s proposed research pier (Seaver photo)
However, the minutes of the July 2001 SRCC meeting clearly show that both UNE and the SRCC did work out an arrangement including the creation of the buffer zone so that the new dormitory buildings could be constructed.
These meeting minutes illustrate UNE’s unambiguous endorsement to achieve the same goal: environmental protection.
Featherman attended the July 2001 meeting in which several commissioners voiced strong support for the creation of a 250-foot buffer.
Featherman stated that “the University of New England has absolutely no plans to build within 250 feet of the river, and that the city as well as the university believe this buffer to be very sensitive and necessary for the protection of the river.”
From the SRCC’s 2001 meeting minutes: “The applicants are hereby required to retain and maintain a 250-foot-wide vegetative buffer along the entire shoreline of the property, measured horizontally starting from the mean high-water line and proceeding inland, described herein. Failure to do so will result in revocation [of the permit] and all subsequent amendments.’”
Also, Dunning left no doubt that the order issued by the Saco River Corridor Commission in 2001 is, in effect, state law, quoting the legislative act that created the Commission, she wrote, “Standards, rules and orders issued by the SRCC have the force and effect of law.’”
Local reaction to the SRCC’s error
The city of Biddeford now finds itself in a bewildering predicament, since UNE has not yet put a shovel in the ground and a building permit has not been issued.
Yet, city officials now know for certain that an SRCC order, which has the effect of state law, prohibits construction in the 250-foot buffer where the access road is supposed to be built.
Will the city continue to green light a project it knows to be illegal? The Gazette contacted Mayor Marty Grohman a week ago for comment, but he has still not responded.
The two candidates who are hoping to replace Grohman, however, responded quickly to our request for comment.
City Councilor Norman Belanger said he does “not want to be hasty with an opinion” until he has the opportunity to closely review the documents sent to him by the Biddeford Gazette.
“On its face, it does appear that the SRCC had imposed a 250-foot vegetation buffer,” Belanger said. “I believe, however, that the enforcement of this order would be within the purview of SRCC and not the city unless it was a formal party to the order.
“It is something that definitely deserves research and clarification along with an understanding of how it impacts the prior approvals for the pier,” he said.
“It is something that definitely deserves research and clarification”
— City Councilor Norman Belanger
City Councilor Liam LaFountain said his “initial reaction was one of major concern.”
“Many residents have already expressed frustration about the pier review process, and I understand why,” LaFountain said.
LaFountain noted that a special citizens grievance meeting about the controversial pier project will be held next week at City Hall.
“Given the public’s interest in the integrity of the city’s regulatory review is extremely high, the [newly revealed] information raises serious questions,” LaFountain said.
LaFountain said that the city council is expected to take up the issue at its next regular meeting on Oct. 21.
“In my view, outreach to the SRCC and possibly the Attorney General’s office, for legal clarification, is necessary. If an SRCC order carries the force of law, the city has an obligation to understand the implications and ensure compliance. Biddeford must obey all laws.”
City solicitor Harry Center was asked to comment on this story last week. Center said he needs time to review all of the documents, including the SRCC minutes.
“Many residents have already expressed frustration about the pier review process, and I understand why,”
— City Councilor Liam LaFountain
An insider’s look at UNE’s ongoing development
Biddeford resident Matt Haas graduated from the University of New England in 2005 with a degree in organizational leadership.
Haas was also employed by the university for nearly 18 years and served as a public affairs liaison between the university and its residential Hills Beach neighbors.
In fact, Haas – a registered Maine Guide — said he did extensive work in the creation of the Institutional Zone that covers all of UNE’s Biddeford campus, a process that was guided and promoted by Featherman, the university’s former president.
“This whole process has been mishandled by both the city and the university,” he said. “There absolutely was and is a 250-foot buffer zone in place. This pier is in the wrong location and was approved as part of a mismanaged process.”
Haas is one of several Biddeford residents who are appealing the Biddeford Planning Board’s approval of the large research pier on August 6, 2025.
The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting is scheduled to take place on November 13.
Click here to view and/or download a PDF copy of the SRCC’s July 2001 meeting minutes:
Norman Belanger points to his homegrown roots and professional accomplishments as reasons why he should be Biddeford’s next mayor.
He said he is the only candidate who can bridge gaps between lifelong residents and a growing population of newer residents; a candidate with an intimate understanding of the city’s history and a vision for its future.
Belanger, 68, grew up in Biddeford, the son of textile mills workers. In fact, Belanger himself worked in those same mills when he was a student.
Norman Belanger
After graduating from Biddeford High School in 1975, Belanger attended Harvard University both as an undergraduate studying economics and later as a law school student who graduated in the top 10 percent of his class.
Belanger’s interest in local politics began when he was still in high school, where he was valedictorian and class president. In fact, he was selected to serve as “mayor for a day” during Lucien ‘Babe’ Dutremble’s administration.
Today, Belanger says he is semi-retired and is still a partner at Verrill Dana, a highly respected, Portland-based law firm.
Belanger and his wife Betty have three children and eight grandchildren.
He joined the city council in 2017, appointed by then mayor Alan Casavant to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Councilor Rick Laverriere. Belanger has since won three consecutive elections as the council’s Ward Six representative, including one term as council president.
Belanger says the city needs “strong leadership,” a central theme of his campaign to oust Mayor Marty Grohman.
“I have the ability and the experience of being able to bring people together,” he said. “There has been an ongoing loss of public trust. That needs to be fixed. We simply have to improve our responsiveness to our citizens.”
Belanger also said the public has a role to play in improving the relationship between the public and City Hall.
“We have to move beyond just belly aching on Facebook,” Belanger said. “Part of the distrust is rooted in perception, but it is also rooted in reality.”
“There has been an ongoing loss of public trust. That needs to be fixed.”
— Norman Belanger
Belanger said he wants to find new and innovative ways to better connect local government leaders to the public.
“If we can improve the dialogue, then we can begin to restore public trust,” he said. “We make better decisions when we have robust public input.”
Belanger said a shifting media landscape has exacerbated the issues related to communication between City Hall and the public.
“Many of our constituents are missing out on information because we no longer have printed newspapers,” he said. “The shifting technology requires the public to actively seek out the news, and older residents may not have the savvy to find the news that is important to them.”
Belanger said that if elected, one of his top goals will be to finally update the city’s Comprehensive Plan, which has not been updated for 25 years.
When it comes to the city’s budget and increasing property taxes, Belanger said a “realistic approach” needs to be the cornerstone of all financial planning at City Hall.
“We’re not doing enough to prioritize our expenses,” he said, pointing out that he has tried to limit spending during creation of the annual budget, including voting against the hiring of a facilities manager and funding vacant positions in the police department.
Belanger said he will not be supporting the upcoming recreation bond question. “I certainly support the city’s recreational assets, but the timing is bad,” he said. “We have to be realistic. We simply cannot fully fund every good idea. We need to prioritize.”
“I think Biddeford is still going through an amazing renaissance,” he said. “But we are also seeing that energy begin to plateau.”
When asked why he is running for mayor, Belanger said it’s all about a deep love and appreciation of his hometown.
“I am proud of this city,” he said. “I believe that I have the temperament and experience to lead us forward.”
For more information about Belanger’s campaign, please visit his website: norm4mayor.com
Note:The Biddeford Gazette will also be publishing interviews with the other mayoral candidates this week.
The days are getting shorter. The leaves are dropping, and Halloween is right around the corner.
It’s also almost time to choose a new mayor, city councilors and school committee members in Biddeford. My favorite time of the year!
Autumn at Chez Seaver
Biddeford Mayoral Debate
Last night, I served as one of the panelists at the 2025 Biddeford Mayoral Debate. We had a really good turnout, especially when considering it was the Friday night of long, holiday weekend.
I’ll pat myself on the back here and say I put several hours and lots of effort into organizing and coordinating the event. I think it went well, and I really appreciated the kind comments from members of the public.
The candidates were candid and addressed a wide range of issues with civility and respect. More than 130 people attended the event. READ MORE
Many people asked me if there will be another debate before the election. I don’t know, but I do know that I won’t be organizing another one this year.
Upcoming Election Information
Absentee ballots are now available from the City Clerk’s office, and voting day is November 4. The Biddeford Gazette has dedicated an entire section of our website for Biddeford election information.
Here you can find comprehensive information about the candidates, the referendum issues, political events and general information about voting and this year’s election.
The profiles of the three mayoral candidates will be published over the next week. In alphabetical order, we will begin with Norman Belanger on Tuesday; Marty Grohman on Wednesday and Liam LaFountain on Thursday.
A team effort
It’s hard to believe that the Biddeford Gazette is quickly approaching its one-year anniversary, and I am very pleased with our trajectory. The Gazette is melding into its mission statement of being a community-driven media outlet.
When looking over just the past week, you may have noticed that we posted 14 original news and opinion stories. Of those, 12 were exclusive and seven of them were written by other people.
We are also leveraging our media partnership with The Maine Monitor. And Gail Toussaint is still volunteering her services as the copy-editor for several of our stories.
“50 percent of what we published this week came from community voices“
Send us your stuff and event notices
We want more community voices! And we are now accepting Letters to the Editor and Guest columns from our readers! We are also expanding our Local Events page
On a final note, you can learn more about our expanding and talented team in the OUR TEAM section of our website
Furthermore, our volunteer Advisory Board will have its very first meeting on Thursday, and I am feeling so grateful that the idea Laura and I concocted 11 months ago is really beginning to take shape.
Enjoy your pumpkin-spice coffee and the clean, brisk air of autumn!
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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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 Norman Belanger – answered a wide range of topics, including public concerns about rising property taxes, infrastructure, homelessness and issues surrounding gentrification in the downtown area, including soaring residential rental costs
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(Left to right: Mayor Marty Grohman, Council President Liam LaFountain and Councilor Norman Belanger tell the audience why they each think they should be Biddeford’s next mayor (Seaver photo)
Roughly 130 people attended the 90-minute debate that included several questions previously submitted by residents.
Craig Pendleton, former executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, served as moderator of the event.
In their opening statements, each candidate laid out their vision of the city’s future and the reasons they are seeking to lead the community over the next two years.
“Biddeford needs a course correction,” LaFountain said. “The city’s leadership needs to be stronger and I will not support back-room deals with private developers.”
Belanger reminded the audience that he is a Biddeford native who grew up as the child of mill workers; worked part-time in the mills himself before earning his law degree at Harvard University.
Grohman also said he comes from humble roots, growing up on a dairy farm in Carthage, a rural community in western Maine.
“It has been a good two years, but there is still lots of work to do.” Grohman said,
“Biddeford needs a course correction,”
— Liam LaFountain
All three candidates drew rousing applause when they each said they would not want to see the Biddeford Police Department enter into an agreement to assist the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
One of the early questions from the public centered on the issues of homelessness and its impacts on the downtown area, most notably near the entrance of the McArthur Library on Main Street.
“Certainly, homelessness is one of the most complex and complicated issues in our city,” LaFountain said. “It’s not just a Biddeford issue. It’s happening all across the country and the world.”
LaFountain said he would focus on creating stronger partnerships with state, federal and county agencies. He also suggested the creation of a day-time location that would offer shelter, WIFI and an alternative place to congregate. “Dignity must be at the center of these conversations,” he said.
“It has been a good two years, but there is still lots of work to do.”
— Marty Grohman
Grohman said he is proud of his track record in addressing the issue of homelessness in Biddeford, describing it as one of his “signature issues.”
Grohman said he led the way in clearing out a growing encampment near Mechanics Park last year, a situation he called reminiscent of a “third-world country.”
Grohman also pointed out that his efforts, including weekly “huddle” meetings with advocates and others concerned about unhoused residents, have resulted in finding stable housing for 70 people during the last year.
Belanger said the issue is complex and requires a multi-faceted approach that includes more non-city resources for mental health and substance abuse without losing “compassion.”
“We need a regional solution,” Belanger said. “Biddeford can’t be expected to solve the issue. We need a reasonable solution, but we simply cannot do it alone.”
On the issue of what to do with the former JFK Memorial School building, Belanger said any decision should preserve its available parking, regardless of how the building is used.
Belanger said he would like to see the building used as some sort of a community center, perhaps a daycare center that would be privately operated.
LaFountain drew rousing applause when he said he opposes any credit enhancement agreements or tax increment financing (TIF) deals that do not benefit the entire city.
As an example, LaFountain pointed to the Marble Block building on Main Street, the home of a new bowling alley, saying the city provided nearly $1 million in incentives for a place where families have to pay $35 for a lane.
“I would rather see that money going to the city’s recreation resources that provide free opportunities,” he said, pointing out that he was the only candidate who voted against that particular deal.
“The public has lost its trust in local government,”
— Norman Belanger
Given that a “citizens grievance” meeting will be happening in less than two weeks, all three candidates agreed that the city made “some mistakes” in how it handled a proposal by the University of New England to build a large research pier on the Saco River.
“I believe the university is a major benefit to the community, and something to be proud of,” Grohman said. “That said, some steps were bungled along the way. I’m hoping that the upcoming meeting will promote some community healing.”
On the UNE pier issue, LaFountain said there was a lack of accountability from former city manager James Bennett on a variety of issues. Bennett was removed from office in February. “We are still dealing with the ramifications of those mistakes,” LaFountain added.
Belanger agreed with LaFountain. “That [review] process was botched from the beginning,” he said.
The candidates discussed ways in which they would address increasing property taxes and rising housing costs.
In his closing statement, LaFountain said Biddeford is at a “cross roads” and needs data-driven leadership.
“We can continue down a path of decisions being made behind closed doors and residents shouldering the burden of unchecked growth,” LaFountain said. “Or, we can chart a new course grounded in accountability, transparency and a genuine commitment to the public good.”
Grohman said the city is at risk of “losing its magic” that has resulted in revitalization of the downtown area and an improved reputation as one of the state’s largest municipalities.
“I am proud to partner with people who want to invest in Biddeford,” Grohman said. “I think we want to keep building Biddeford, keeping it a better place with an opportunity for everyone to succeed.”
Belanger said the city has lost sight of its need to prioritize municipal spending. “The public has lost its trust in local government,” he said. “We can easily bankrupt ourselves with compassionate spending. We need to be careful how we spend taxpayer money.”
Note: There was a last-minute glitch in providing video recording of the event. We have included a rough, un-edited audio transcript of the debate.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever took to the podium during Tuesday’s city council meeting to provide a snapshot of her objectives and goals over the next several months.
According to Dever’s employment contract, she is required to provide the council with “specific, measurable performance goals” within 60 days of taking over the helm at City Hall.
Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever presented the city with a list of six objectives she is hoping to achieve over the coming year (Seaver photo)
“I just completed my first two months with the city, and I’m happy to report that I still wake up every morning excited to come to work,” she laughed.
Dever presented the council with six goals that she says are aligned with the city’s strategic priorities.
City Finances
Because voters will be faced with two bond questions in November, Dever said her top objective is working closely and quickly with Finance Director Gerry Matherne to ensure that the overdue FY ‘24 and ‘25 annual audits are completed and reported to credit agencies.
“We need to get this done in order “to re-establish the city’s credit rating,” Dever said, pointing out that a better credit rating will have a positive impact on the interest payments if voters approve $26 million in borrowing for sewer and recreation upgrades in November.
Dever also listed preparing the annual municipal budget as another objective, along with staff training for new software for Finance and Human Resources functions.
Dever also said she will provide monthly and quarterly financial reports to council.
Other strategic priorities identified by Dever include employee retention strategies, economic development and affordable housing.
Dever said she is hoping to reach an agreement on a three-year labor contract with police officers and she wants to have “fireside chats” with city employees in order to learn and understand their needs and ideas.
As spelled out in Dever’s contract, her goals and objectives will be reviewed and updated annually, serving as a basis for formal performance evaluations.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman told the Biddeford Gazette Tuesday that a special, “Citizens Grievance” meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 23 and will be held in the council chambers at Biddeford City Hall, beginning at 6 p.m.
The special meeting will focus on the controversial pier project that the University of New England wants to build on the Saco River.
Several opponents of UNE’s proposed pier location attended the Biddeford Planning Board’s meeting when the project was approved in a 3-2 vote (Seaver photo)
The Citizens Grievance meeting was triggered last month when a group of residents were able to collect more than 100 signatures of registered voters to demand an opportunity to publicly address the mayor and city council about their concerns.
The university’s proposal — although controversial — has already been approved by several regulatory agencies, including the Saco River Corridor Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Biddeford Planning Board, which voted 3-2 on Aug. 5, 2025, to approve the project.
The special meeting comes only a few weeks ahead of a scheduled Zoning Board of Appeals meeting about the pier on Nov. 13.
The ZBA appeal was requested and filed by John Shafer, an outspoken opponent of the pier project and the former chair of Biddeford’s Harbor Commission.
Although Shafer said he helped gather signatures to trigger the special Citizens Grievance meeting, he said he is not actively involved in coordinating the Oct. 23 citizens meeting.
Alexander told the Gazette she that became angry during the review process of UNE’s proposal, especially when University of New England officials publicly implied that her late husband supported the school’s desired location for their large research pier.
“They just made that up,” Alexander said. “Marshall never approved that site. They [the university] are just trying to cover their butts now because our current harbormaster also doesn’t approve of the site.”
Other members of the public have expressed concerns about how former Biddeford City Manager Jim Bennett removed both the city’s current harbormaster and assistant harbormaster from the review process.
A number of residents also expressed anger about Grohman’s push to remove Roch Angers from his position on Biddeford’s planning board.
Grohman said Angers violated the board’s code of ethics by publicly addressing the city council regarding his concerns about how the city has handled its review of the university’s application.
According to the city’s charter, a special grievance meeting requires the mayor and council to be present and listen to the concerns of residents. Organizers will choose their own moderator for the meeting.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
Two candidates have stepped forward in hopes of representing Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods (Ward One) on the city council.
Patricia BostonJim 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 of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and lives in Biddeford Pool.
Boston, 71, says she wants to help renew trust and confidence in local government by exercising fiscal responsibility and promoting “transparency and citizen engagement” at City Hall.
LaBelle, 61, said he is concerned about the high cost of living for residents, pointing out that regional incomes have grown, but have not been keeping pace with increasing property taxes and soaring utility and food costs.
Both candidates say that housing issues are among Biddeford’s biggest challenges.
“The housing issue presents several concerns,” Boston said, pointing to issues surrounding the city’s unhoused population, the need for more workforce housing and the need to promote “smart growth” strategies. “While some of these can be addressed through local funding, policies and ordinances, others require us to reach out to other local and state entities,” she said.
LaBelle pointed to his experience in the private sector world of management and business and said, “constrained resources have been the norm, requiring frugality and creativity.”
“For the city, this will require limited spending growth, creative sourcing of alternative funding and continued business growth to expand and diversify the tax base,” he said.
Boston said “preserving our natural environment, which includes our beaches and river, where recent storms took their toll” will be a top priority for her in addition to increasing walkability and use of alternate forms of transportation.
LaBelle said the city “needs to enhance our partnering with local and regional community organizations to expand solutions toward a future where none of our residents are unhoused.”
LaBelle currently serves as a voting member of the Saco River Corridor Commission. He also served as executive director of the Biddeford & Saco Chamber of Commerce for seven years, retiring a few months ago.
Boston served one term on the Biddeford School Committee, from 2005 to 2007. She was then elected to Biddeford City Council and served one term as Ward One councilor until 2009. She was then elected as an at-large representative, serving in that role from 2009 until 2011
Today, Boston serves on the St Louis Alumni Association Board; as treasurer of Age Friendly Biddeford and the McArthur Library Association Board.
When asked why she is seeking a return to the council, she said “Biddeford is my hometown, and I care about its future.”
“I have previously served the city as a councilor, school committee member, and as a member of several ad hoc committees. I have also held leadership positions in neighborhood, civic and professional organizations.
“My commitment to my community is clear. I would be honored to have the opportunity to utilize my experience to assist in moving Biddeford forward,” she said.
LaBelle served as executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, retiring a few months ago.
LaBelle – who moved to Biddeford in 2018 – said he has come to “love the city, its many amenities and its spirited and can-do residents” and wants to bring his 40 years of business experience to the city.
“I think Biddeford is an ideal place to live and work and enjoy, a big-enough city to have so much to do, but small enough that you get to know your neighbors, the business community, and the special character that makes it feel like home for all of us,” he said. “I would be honored to give back to this community in public service to keep advocating for community progress, improved standards of living for everyone, and ongoing quality-of-life enhancements new developments.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
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BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 