The city of Biddeford is now seeking public input about the hiring of a new city manager. You can take a quick, anonymous online survey by clicking this link to share your thoughts about the hiring process. Our current city manager, Jim Bennett, announced his resignation in October. His last day on the job will … Continue reading World Leader Pretend
Tag: James Bennett
City commits to paying contractor in-full
The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to find funds in its current budget to fully repay a contractor who led the effort to renovate the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center. Jim Godbout, a well-known community volunteer and philanthropist, appeared before the council Tuesday to provide an update about the project and its funding. … Continue reading City commits to paying contractor in-full
A Fork in the Road: Sympathy for the Devil
As Chaucer once said, all good things must come to an end. And that’s where I find myself today: another fork in the road, another pivot point in my career. Over the past few days, several people have asked me why I started the Biddeford Gazette, and why I am no longer writing for Saco … Continue reading A Fork in the Road: Sympathy for the Devil
Biddeford loses another finance director, making plans to replace city manager
The Biddeford Gazette learned Tuesday that the city of Biddeford is losing yet another Finance Department director. According to Mayor Marty Grohman, Sasha Pavlak submitted her resignation letter yesterday. Pavlak provided the city with ample notice. Her resignation will be effective Dec. 31, 2024Pavlak, hired just a few months ago, was the city's sixth finance … Continue reading Biddeford loses another finance director, making plans to replace city manager
Won’t Get Fooled Again
What’s going on with the University of New England and its plan to build a new pier on the Saco River? Why is the university worried about a small time, mediocre reporter and the stories he writes about the proposed pier? I don’t know how to answer those two questions. But here’s what I do … Continue reading Won’t Get Fooled Again
The Long Goodbye
A reporter recently asked me why I put so much effort into a campaign to oust Biddeford City Manager James Bennett from City Hall. I thought about my answer carefully. As I said during that interview and elsewhere over the last few days, Jim Bennett was well-qualified to be Biddeford’s city manager. During his nine-year … Continue reading The Long Goodbye
Controversy surrounds UNE Pier
Originally published in Saco Bay News, May 30, 2024 By RANDY SEAVER Although the University of New England earlier this month formally submitted its plan to build a new pier on the Saco River, that plan still remains mired in controversy. Both the university (UNE) and Biddeford’s harbormaster seem to have their heels dug in … Continue reading Controversy surrounds UNE Pier
Top-20 local, political movers and shakers
After more than 12 years, I have finally gotten around to publishing an update about who I consider to be the most influential politicians, policy makers and staffers in the Biddeford-Saco area. The Top-20.
Don’t Steal My Sunshine
Note: This is the unedited version of my March 8, 2024 installment of All Along the Watchtower that originally appeared on the Saco Bay News website. It probably would not come as much of a surprise if I were to tell you that a lot of people don’t like me very much. Chief among those … Continue reading Don’t Steal My Sunshine
Turn You Inside Out
When Biddeford City Manager James Bennett first unveiled his proposed FY 2025 municipal budget last week, he made a point of reminding the city council and the public that the city is not operated like a business. Bennett’s remarks were likely intended to get ahead of a frequent refrain often heard from beleaguered and stressed … Continue reading Turn You Inside Out
NOTES TO CARL | LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY 