Biddeford City Council reeling from two resignations

Only eight days after former Biddeford City Councilor Bobby Mills announced his resignation from the council and his position as York County Treasurer on April 9, he now says that he will be running for that council seat again in a special June 11 election to fill the vacancy created by his resignation.

Two days before announcing his resignation, Mills was arrested and charged April 7 with operating under the influence of alcohol by the Biddeford Police Department, according to public documents posted by the police department.

Mills told Saco Bay News today that he was “reluctant” to give up his seat, saying he felt pressured to resign by Mayor Marty Grohman.

Grohman flatly denied Mills’ accusation, saying that Mills sent him an email announcing that we would be resigning his seat. Grohman said that one or two days later, Mills sent another e-mail saying that he wanted to rescind his resignation.

“I told him [Mills], that based on the circumstances of his situation, that it would probably be best for him, his family and the city for him to resign, and maybe thinking about running again in a couple of years,” Grohman said.

In a related story, Julian Schlaver announced Wednesday that he also would be resigning from the council, citing “personal reasons” and the fact that his family-owned business was experiencing some “significant changes.”

According to the Biddeford City Charter, a special election must be held in case of a vacancy on the council with 180 days of the last election.

The charter also requires that the city council must vote to accept any resignations.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2024. Because the date of the next council meeting is beyond the 180-day parameter, a special election to fill Schlaver’s seat will not be necessary.

The council voted to accept Mills’ resignation on Tuesday, which is only 161 days since the last municipal election, thus triggering the need for a special election for that council seat.

Once the council votes to accept Schlaver’s resignation, Grohman will appoint a candidate to fill the Ward Five seat, as outlined by the city’s charter.  The city council must then vote whether to confirm or deny Grohman’s appointment.

“This is certainly not where we want to be,” Grohman said. “I am hoping that some good people will step forward and consider joining the council.”

As of press time, it remains unclear whether Mills will try to rescind the resignation of his other public position as York County treasurer. Mills sent Saco Bay News a screenshot of his official resignation letter to the York County Commissioners.

Nomination papers for the June 11 election for Mills’ vacated seat are now available at the City Clerk's office. 

All nomination papers need to be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office prior to 5 p.m., May 6.

Randy Seaver is a cranky, nearly insufferable malcontent living in Biddeford. He is a retired newspaper editor and the principal of a small strategic communications consulting firm. Randy Seaver can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.