In addition to electing a mayor, Biddeford residents will choose councilors and school committee members.
A total of 23 candidates are running for City Council seats. Wards 2, 4 and 6 are uncontested.
Seven candidates are running for seven seats on the school committee, but only six will be elected. City Clerk Carmen Morris said that while the school committee is elected at-large, only two people from a single ward can be elected.
Also on the ballot are uncontested races for ward clerk and warden and a referendum on whether to create a charter commission. Voters will also vote for ward representatives for the charter commission.
COUNCIL RACES
• WARD 1
MIKE SWANTON
PARTY AFFILIATION: unenrolled
AGE: 59
ADDRESS: 110 Old Pool Road
PERSONAL: N/A
EDUCATION: Biddeford High School, Class of 1970
OCCUPATION: plumber
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: none
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: I don’t have an agenda. I just want to take care of the city business in a sensible, cost-effective way.
DONALD FURMAN
PARTY AFFILIATION: unenrolled
AGE: 62
ADDRESS: 20 Elizabeth Road
PERSONAL: married; one daughter
EDUCATION: Juris doctor; post doctorate; master’s in tax law at Boston University
OCCUPATION: lawyer
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: currently appointed to serve on the Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals and the Biddeford-Saco River Corridor Commission
EMAIL: don@fgd-law.com
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) fiscal responsibility AND accountability; 2) responsible business development; and 3) responsible conservation of the environment, particularly within Ward 1.
SUZANNE SEXTON
PARTY AFFILIATION: Decline to state
AGE: 62
ADDRESS: 158 Guinea Road
PERSONAL: married, two children, three grandchildren
OCCUPATION: Saco Wastewater Treatment Plant administrative assistant
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Wastewater Commission; Downtown Development Commission; Planning Board
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) reform and restructure welfare to a workfare; 2) budget cuts to reduce spending and get a grip on property taxes; and 3) fill empty store fronts to revitalize downtown and bring jobs to Biddeford.
• WARD 2 – uncontested
DAVID BOURQUE
PARTY AFFILIATION: Decline to state
AGE: 55
ADDRESS: 30 Decary Road
PERSONAL: wife Diane; daughter Desiree and son Daniel
OCCUPATION: communications
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: current city councilor; policy committee; waste water committee; environmental committee; social services committee
EMAIL: dbourque@biddefordmaine.org
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) strive to negotiate the best deal for Biddeford when it comes to the racino 2) continue to advocate buy local and local jobs to improve local economy; and 3) bringing Saco and Biddeford together in the effort to make our sister communities more efficient governmentally and stronger economically.
• Ward 3
BRADLEY COTE
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 30
ADDRESS: 349 Granite St.
PERSONAL: wife Lori and two daughters Emma, 2, and Grace, 1.
EDUCATION: bachelor’s degree in elementary education and psychology Saint Michael’s College
OCCUPATION: Internal Audit Consultant at IDEXX Laboratories
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: none
WEBSITE: www.bradcote.com
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) ensuring that Biddeford realizes all of the possible benefits of the proposed racino, considering all aspects of the project, including the negotiation process, and getting job creation and benefits promised in writing to ensure it becomes reality; 2) implementing a curbside recycling program; and 3) maintaining the Biddeford Airport at its current usage without expansion or the accommodation of larger aircraft.
ROLAND PELLETIER
PARTY AFFILIATION: Decline to state
AGE: 62
ADDRESS: 4 Dechene Ave.
PERSONAL: wife Valerie, daughter Melissa, sons Brian and Mikel and four grandsons
EDUCATION: Biddeford High School, Class of 1967; associate’s degree in business management from Columbia College in Missouri
OCCUPATION: retired U.S. Army and full-time grandparent
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: two terms City Charter Commission; 12 years on School Policy Committee; 12 years on School Transportation Committee
WEBSITE: www.rolandpelletier.com
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) get the best racino deal for the city; 2) correct taxes and fees; and 3) be proactive by supporting the school committee to maintain our school buildings to avod another BHS $38 million crisis.
DORIS COOK
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 63
ADDRESS: 24 Marion Ave.
PERSONAL: married; two children; four grandchildren
EDUCATION: St. Andre’s High School graduate
OCCUPATION: former employee of WestPoint now at SMMC
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: none
EMAIL: dotcook@maine.rr.com
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) to try to find a way to get jobs in this area; 2) try to control taxes; and 3) try to make each department accountable for everything.
• WARD 4 – uncontested
MELISSA BEDNAROWSKI
PARTY AFFILIATION: OneMaine
AGE: 36
ADDRESS: 11 Free St.
PERSONAL: Southern Maine resident since 1999; Biddeford homeowner for two years, living with yellow labrador retriever Sandy
EDUCATION: master’s in business education, focus on training and development, Southern New Hampshire University; bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology Plymouth State University
OCCUPATION: hotel management
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: campaign volunteer since 1992; current member of planning board
WEBSITE: “Vote Melissa Bednarowski Ward 4 City Councilor” on Facebook
EMAIL: melissa4council@gmail.com
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) approach city development as a whole and not its parts; 2) create a friendly city for business, thus creating jobs; and 3) encourage constituent involvement.
• WARD 5
BOB MILLS
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 46
ADDRESS: 22 Graham St.
PERSONAL: wife Heather Mills for six years and sons Trenton, 9, and Cooper, 2.
EDUCATION: bachelor’s from Texas Wesleyan University; master’s Liberty University.
OCCUPATION: Advantage Sales & Marketing
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: four years on City Council, one term on city charter commission; present chair of the city Finance Committee and chair of Policy.
WEBSITE: www.millsofmaine.us
EMAIL: springridge2004@yahoo.com
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) attracting a wave of new businesses to Biddeford, to bring jobs and revenue streams back to our community; 2) more support for social service agencies and food pantries; and 3) continuing work as chairman of the policy committee, which having served this position for the past two years, the committee has recommended 32 revisions to ordinances and 28 were approved by council.
TAMMY ACKERMAN
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 46
ADDRESS: 41 Franklin St.
EDUCATION: bachelor’s degree in art
OCCUPATION: self-employed graphic designer and executive director of arts nonprofit
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: none
WEBSITE: tammyackerman.com
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) broaden our tax base by working to create a climate favorable for business, but with smart growth in mind; 2) work toward an alternative solution for MERC; and 3) instilling pride and excitement into the residents of the city by showing them their city through new eyes – I see such potential, so many good people working toward common goals, and great infrastructure and location.
CAROL BOISJOLY
PARTY AFFILIATION: unenrolled
AGE: 55
ADDRESS: 10 Birch St.
PERSONAL: widowed; daughter Megan
EDUCATION: some college
OCCUPATION: unemployed; licensed practical nurse
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: none
EMAIL: megcarus@yahoo.com
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) It would be to get jobs back into Biddeford; 2) try to make Biddeford THE city to visit/live in – Bring Back Biddeford to Biddeford; and 3) day care for people who have no affordable day care and a shelter for the homeless.
• WARD 6 – uncontested
RICHARD LAVERRIERE did not respond to requests for information.
• WARD 7
PATRICIA WHITEHURST
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 65
ADDRESS: 11 Plymouth Drive
PERSONAL: N/A
EDUCATION: registered nurse; bachelor’s degree in education
OCCUPATION: medical review nurse
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: member of the school board at St. Mary’s School in Biddeford
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) Procuring businesses to produce jobs for the unemployed citizens of Biddeford by inviting businesses into the city and maintain taxes at the current rate or lowered; 2) expanding the city’s services so as to concentrate on reducing welfare and initiating a committee to work on a project such as “Workfare” for individuals receiving welfare; and 3) working on the problems associated with education deficits in the city by hiring qualified teachers.
DAVID FLOOD
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 56
ADDRESS: 36 May St.
PERSONAL: wife Carolyn and two grown children Chris and Adam
EDUCATION: bachelor’s degree in English from University of Delaware
OCCUPATION: Developer with Thread LLC, a company restoring the property at 265 Main St. in Biddeford; former weekly newspaper publisher and co-founder (with Carolyn) of the Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier and its five sister publications
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: two years on Biddeford City Council (2007 to 2009)
EMAIL: davidcflood@yahoo.com
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) councilors need to give input and set priorities on the budget before staff members create it and be better informed about what cities of comparable size are doing; 2) face this racino issue with our eyes open to assess potential impacts, best possible site, ideas on what they would have done with a gambling site if they could start over; and 3) encourage business and bring jobs to Biddeford – I like the slogan “Make it in Biddeford,” or “You can make it in Biddeford,” because it speaks to our history in the mills where so many people, including my ancestors, worked hard all their lives.
WILLIAM SEXTON
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
AGE: 38
ADDRESS: 9 Kennedy Drive
PERSONAL: N/A
EDUCATION: graduate of Thornton Academy with some college education
OCCUPATION: electronics installer
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: none
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) jobs have to be our top priority period; 2) taxes – councilors need to get creative in fiding ways to pay for some bonds, to avoid layoffs and programs being cut; and 3) having business come to the area – the racino will be a huge jump-start to relief.
• AT-LARGE – TWO SEATS
CHRISTOPHER H. BETJEMANN
PARTY AFFILIATION: unenrolled
AGE: 46
ADDRESS: 215 Main Street, Suite 102
PERSONAL: single; no children
EDUCATION: bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering; master’s in architecture
OCCUPATION: Architectural design/real estate development
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) developing an overall plan for growth; 2) government must find ways to save money and to bring more monies into the city’s coffers while not passing on increased cost to residents; and 3) position the city to be attractive to businesses and jobs.
ROCH ANGERS
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 58
ADDRESS: 26 Cathedral Oaks Drive
EDUCATION: graduate of Biddeford High School; business at Husson College
OCCUPATION: produce manager at Shaw’s Supermarkets in Sanford
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: former city councilor and council president; four years on the planning board and more than 35 years on the Economic Improvement Commission
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) ensuring taxes stay where they are; 2) continue to support redevelopment and renovations of the mill district – it is the key to resurrecting the heart of Biddeford and new revenue; and 3) getting a good cross section of professionals to review and negotiate the MERC contract.
JAMES MCGOWAN
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 22
ADDRESS: 9 Lester B. Orcutt Blvd.
PERSONAL: Biddeford has become home over the past three years
EDUCATION: current senior at the University of New England studying political science
OCCUPATION: Student
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Undergraduate student body president, University of New England 2010-2011
WEBSITE: jamesmcgowan.org
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) look at the social services we provide and start downsizing services that are no longer acting as safety nets, but welfare traps; 2) aggressively pursue and negotiate with the private business community, such as the racino and mill district developers; and 3) create a better online presence and regional dialogue in order to showcase what the city has to offer.
RICHARD RHAMES
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 66
ADDRESS: 10 West Loop Road
PERSONAL: married with adult son
EDUCATION: graduate of Biddeford High School; Albion College
OCCUPATION: farmer
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: 20 years as chair of Biddeford Democratic City Committee; comprehensive plan committee; cable committee chairman; councilor at large for one term; current member of policy committee
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) protect the city’s resources and infrastructure; 2) end contractual trash processing relationship with MERC; and 3) oppose the repeal/rollback of the 20th century political and social guns.
VINCENT KEELY
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 77
ADDRESS: 25 Ocean View Drive
PERSONAL: married; three adult sons
EDUCATION: went to school in Ireland
OCCUPATION: owner of WonderBar
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: one term as city councilor
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) renewing the MERC contract; 2) the racino; and 3) Biddeford needs jobs in the worst way.
KARL REED
AGE: 48
PERSONAL: married; three children
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: member of the Downtown Development Commission
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) we need to work downtown and build it up; 2) we have to deliver the racino to the people of Biddeford; and 3) we need a council that will work with the mayor.
DENNIS ANGLEA and ANNA RIVARD did not respond to requests for information.
• SCHOOL COMMITTEE – seven “at-large” seats open; only two per ward allowed
James Emerson (Ward 1); Lisa Vadnais (Ward 3); Tammy Fleurent (Ward 3); Nathan Mills (Ward 3); Heather Mills (Ward 5); William Moriarty (Ward 5); Anthony Michaud (Ward 6)
• UNCONTESTED RACES
WARDEN
Ward 1: Heather Locke
Ward 2: Anne Plamondon
Ward 3: Penny Beaupre
Ward 4: Normal Martel
Ward 5: Robert Cote
Ward 6: Michael Bolduc
Nomination papers were not submitted for Ward 7
WARD CLERK
Ward 1: Tina Turgeon
Ward 2: Mignonne Plamondon
Ward 3: Michael Fleurent
Ward 4: Anne Strout
Ward 5: Lorraine Auger
Ward 6: Loyce Bolduc
Nomination papers were not submitted for Ward 7
CHARTER COMMISSION
Ward 1: Thomas Craven Jr.
Ward 4: Ryan Fecteau
Ward 5: Roland Lawler
Nomination papers were not submitted for wards 2, 3, 6 and 7
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