By RANDY SEAVER, Editor A former Biddeford resident who now lives in Ada, Mich., recently sent an email to the Gazette complaining that we have been “unfair and biased” toward the University of New England. In his March 6 email, Bernard Roy – a 1971 Biddeford High School graduate – […]
Tag: Liam LaFountain
Although retired, Phinney wants accuracy regarding overdue Biddeford audit
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Brian Phinney — Biddeford’s former chief operating officer, who also served several months as acting city manager – is today retired “and enjoying it,” but wants to make sure that the current city council will be using correct information at their next meeting, especially regarding materials […]
LETTER: City is treating UNE unfairly
By BERNARD ROY, Special to the Gazette I understand there is a moratorium on UNE initiated by the mayor and city council. UNE is an institution that is a huge plus for Biddeford. They hire professionals as professors, adjunct professors and administrators who live in our community. More importantly, UNE […]
OPINION | Mayor explains new UNE committee
By MAYOR LIAM LAFOUNTAIN, City of Biddeford On Monday, March 2 at 6 p.m., the Institutional Zone Review Committee will hold its first public hearing at City Hall. The meeting begins the public input phase of a broader review of how Biddeford regulates institutional development. For many residents, the term […]
READER OPINION | What was city thinking?
Weighted UNE committee is appalling and patently unfair to UNE By DIANE SNOW, Special to the Gazette A recent Portland Press Herald story regarding the committee set up to review the plans for University of New England [Biddeford Committee plans public hearing, Feb. 24, 2026] left me appalled because the […]
OPINION | Biddeford should keep Center
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain ran his campaign last year on a platform dedicated to restoring accountability and increasing transparency at City Hall. Those were good messages, and the voters agreed with LaFountain, giving him the edge over the incumbent former mayor. LaFountain pledged to hit the […]
New UNE oversight committee begins work
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The first meeting of Biddeford’s revived Institutional Zone Review (IZR) Committee was held Thursday evening, giving members a chance to introduce themselves and to complete several organizational and administrative tasks, including scheduling their first public hearing. The committee was launched earlier this year, at the direction […]
‘You can spread the blame like peanut butter’
City Councilor Marc Lessard falls on his own sword by saying he is partly responsible for some of the city’s ongoing financial problems By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Tuesday’s meeting of the Biddeford City Council’s Finance Committee made one fact abundantly clear. The city is still struggling to clean up the […]
Council splits on supporting state bill for emergency shelters
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Despite some misinformation floating about on social media, the Biddeford City Council did not vote Tuesday against funding for emergency shelters to assist unhoused residents. Instead, the council took up a resolution introduced by Mayor Liam LaFountain to express support for a bill now being considered […]
Bennett brings campaign to Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor In the very crowded race to become Maine’s next governor, former State Sen. Rick Bennett is hoping to stand out as an Independent candidate who is ready to tackle tough issues with a common-sense approach and a commitment to people rather than any political party. Bennett, 62, […]
