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

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• WARD 1

MIKE SWANTON

PARTY AFFILIATION: unenrolled

AGE: 59

ADDRESS: 110 Old Pool Road

PERSONAL: N/A

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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• WARD 2 – uncontested

DAVID BOURQUE

PARTY AFFILIATION: Decline to state

AGE: 55

ADDRESS: 30 Decary Road

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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.

 

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• Ward 3

BRADLEY COTE

PARTY AFFILIATION:  Democrat

AGE:  30

ADDRESS:  349 Granite St.

PERSONAL: wife Lori and two daughters Emma, 2, and Grace, 1.

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EDUCATION:  bachelor’s degree in elementary education and psychology Saint Michael’s College

OCCUPATION:  Internal Audit Consultant at IDEXX Laboratories

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: none

WEBSITEwww.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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

 

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• WARD 6 – uncontested

RICHARD LAVERRIERE did not respond to requests for information.

 

• WARD 7

PATRICIA WHITEHURST

PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat

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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

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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.

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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.

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WILLIAM SEXTON

PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican

AGE: 38

ADDRESS: 9 Kennedy Drive

PERSONAL: N/A

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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

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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

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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

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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.

 

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

 

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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.

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• 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

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Ward 3: Penny Beaupre

Ward 4: Normal Martel

Ward 5: Robert Cote

Ward 6: Michael Bolduc

Nomination papers were not submitted for Ward 7

 

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WARD CLERK

Ward 1: Tina Turgeon

Ward 2: Mignonne Plamondon

Ward 3: Michael Fleurent

Ward 4: Anne Strout

Ward 5: Lorraine Auger

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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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