By RANDY SEAVER, Editor 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 … Continue reading Meet the Biddeford School Committee Candidates
Tag: Randy Seaver
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
Mayor offers more selective endorsements
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman is making more endorsements in some city council races but will not make any endorsements in the three-way at-large council race and in the Ward Six race. When asked why he will not make endorsements in those two races, Grohman said he has “strong relationships” with all … Continue reading Mayor offers more selective endorsements
Mayor offers two city council endorsements
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor NOTE: This story was updated to include comments from city council candidate Abigail Woods. As Election Day draws closer, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman is endorsing at least two city council candidates. Grohman today announced his endorsement of Brad Cote in the city’s Ward Seven race. Grohman also says he will be … Continue reading Mayor offers two city council endorsements
Tour highlights aging recreation resources
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor 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 … Continue reading Tour highlights aging recreation resources
Residents sound off about UNE pier, mayor tries to rewrite history
By RANDY SEAVER, editor Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and members of the city council listened Thursday evening to several residents who raised concerns about how the city has handled its review of a controversial pier project that the University of New England wants to build on the Saco River. Roughly 55 people attended Thursday’s special … Continue reading Residents sound off about UNE pier, mayor tries to rewrite history
Clavette set to join Biddeford’s team
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 … Continue reading Clavette set to join Biddeford’s team
LaFountain hopes to be next mayor
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 … Continue reading LaFountain hopes to be next mayor
‘Town Hall’ meeting draws questions and concerns
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 … Continue reading ‘Town Hall’ meeting draws questions and concerns
UNE pier approval tainted by glaring SRCC mistake
Although the University of New England has cleared all the reviews and hurdles needed to begin construction of a large pier on the Saco River, the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) has now admitted it made a crucial mistake while approving the university’s application in 2024. The Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) voted in August … Continue reading UNE pier approval tainted by glaring SRCC mistake
Belanger hopes to be Biddeford’s next mayor
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 … Continue reading Belanger hopes to be Biddeford’s next mayor
NEWSLETTER: An expanding team and more coverage
Welcome to October! 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 … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: An expanding team and more coverage
Mayoral candidates square off at debate
NOTE: An unedited audio recording of this event can be found at the end of this article The three men who want to be Biddeford’s next mayor squared-off Friday evening during a public debate that was held at Biddeford High School. The candidates – including incumbent Marty Grohman, Council President Liam LaFountain and City Councilor … Continue reading Mayoral candidates square off at debate
City manager outlines goals and objectives
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 … Continue reading City manager outlines goals and objectives
Date set for ‘Citizens Grievance’ meeting
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 … Continue reading Date set for ‘Citizens Grievance’ meeting
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
New cookie business opens in Biddeford
In a modest, second-floor apartment on Alfred Street, Zimra Winters is making his dream come true. Winters, 29, has a daytime job working as a baker at Rover Bagel in Biddeford. But his real passion is cookies – cookies so delicious that after your first bite, you may think you have died and gone to … Continue reading New cookie business opens in Biddeford
Biddeford Politics: Another chapter begins tomorrow
Tomorrow, October 1, the Biddeford Gazette will officially begin its coverage of the 2025 municipal elections in Biddeford. It’s hard to explain why I am so excited about this time of year. I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning. After working at other newspapers, I began covering news in Biddeford during the month … Continue reading Biddeford Politics: Another chapter begins tomorrow
Residents collect enough signatures to invoke a special meeting
Members of a grassroots coalition that are pushing for a public airing of grievance meeting announced Thursday that they have collected far more than the 100-signatures of registered Biddeford voters they need in order invoke a “General Meeting of Citizens.” “It really wasn’t hard to get the signatures,” said Carole Alexander, the wife of Biddeford’s … Continue reading Residents collect enough signatures to invoke a special meeting
Bigfoot comes to Biddeford
Bridgestone/Firestone Auto Care opens its first Maine location Several Biddeford city officials joined with dozens of Bridgestone employees for Thursday’s grand opening event at Maine’s first Firestone Complete Auto Care location in Biddeford. The auto care store first opened its doors on Alfred Road to the public on August 11, according to store manager Amanda … Continue reading Bigfoot comes to Biddeford
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 