BIDDEFORD — Voters in Biddeford have a full roster of candidates to elect this November, as well as some referendum questions.
Mayor Joanne Twomey is running for a third term and her sole challenger is former Biddeford High School teacher and local Rep. Alan Casavant. The position of mayor carries with it an annual salary of $10,000.
“I’m all in,” Casavant said after submitting his nomination papers. “I’ve been doing a listening tour for about two weeks now, and the feedback is overwhelming. Voters want a change in direction and a return to more professional execution.”
Ryan Gavin, a 2009 Biddeford High School graduate, announced his run for mayor in April, but did not submit his nomination paper as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. Gavin said today he will instead work on Casavant’s campaign as volunteer coordinator and director of young voter recruitment.
“As the weeks went on, it became increasingly clear to me that this city is in desperate need of change,” Gavin said. “After talking with supporters and friends, I know that this is the right decision because we simply cannot afford to continue on this worn-out path of political bickering.”
Twomey said her focus as she seeks reelection is creating jobs and bringing a proposed racino to the city.
“We need the jobs and we need the revenue so we can offset the ($34 million) high school renovation project,” Twomey said.
All seven wards and two at-large seats on the city council are up for election with a field of 23 candidates. David Bourque, Bob Mills and Richard Laverriere are the only current councilors running for reelection.
Officials to represent all seven wards on the school committee, warden, ward clerk, and charter commission are also up for election.
Members running for charter commission will only be elected if the city approves a referendum question that would form a commission to review the current charter. The last time the city had such a commission was four years ago, City Clerk Carmen Morris said.
Morris said the city council approved three bond referendum questions for the ballot Tuesday night. The issues ask residents if they wish to borrow $4 million for road repairs and drainage work, $2 million for stormwater management and related improvements on Route 1 and $470,000 for roof replacements on the J. Richard Martin Community Center, Teen Center in Rotary Park and the public works building.
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