Biddeford seeks candidates to fill Ward 4 City Council seat

At least two Biddeford people have taken out nomination forms in an effort to fill the vacancy that was created by the resignation of former City Councilor Bobby Mills on April 9.

A special election to fill the now empty Ward Four seat will be held on June 11, when Biddeford voters will also vote on the proposed school budget.

Dylan Doughty, who was appointed earlier this year as an alternate member of the Biddeford Planning Board, said he is “looking forward” to the possibility of serving on the city council.

Another man has also taken out nomination papers from the City Clerk’s office but asked Saco Bay News to not release his name until he has officially made up his mind about turning in his papers to appear on the ballot.

“I am still considering the opportunity, and when my decision is finalized, you will be the first to know,” the man wrote in a reply email to Saco Bay News on Friday, April 26. “I anticipate having an answer mid-next week.”

Former Councilor Mills told Saco Bay News on April 9 that he was resigning because of “personal reasons” and because other commitments were consuming his time.

He also resigned as York County Treasurer on April 9.

Eight days later, on April 17, Mills told Saco Bay News that he was “eager” to seek the seat he had resigned.

Mills’ April 9 resignation was submitted to Mayor Marty Grohman less than 48 hours after Mills was summonsed by Biddeford police on an OUI charge.

Mills sent Saco Bay New two text messages on April 17 to confirm that he would once again seek a seat on the city council.

“I decided that I would run in the special election,” Mills wrote in a text message.

Less than 24 hours later, however -- after Saco Bay News published a story about Mills and his interaction with police -- Mills sent another text message, saying he is not a candidate.

“I am not a candidate!,” Mills wrote. “Nothing has been filed! No one is a candidate unless something is filed. Apparently, you don’t know that I am a private citizen.”

Mills has asked Saco Bay News to not contact him for any further comment.

As of press time Friday, it remains unknown whether Mills has taken out or turned in nomination papers in order to regain his seat on the Council.

Because City Hall is closed on Fridays, City Clerk Robin Patterson was unavailable for comment or to confirm whether Mills or anyone else has taken out nomination papers.

Doughty, 32, is a native of Arkansas who relocated to Maine three years ago for his job. He said he “loves the city of Biddeford” and is “excited about the opportunity to represent his neighbors.”

Doughty is employed as a senior buyer at General Dynamics in Saco. He has an MBA degree from Western Colorado University.

Doughty is becoming well known in Biddeford’s political circles. His partner, Ryan Fecteau, served as Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.

Fecteau announced earlier this year that he is hoping to return to Augusta in order to replace fellow Democrat Erin Sheehan who will not be seeking re-election this year.

The Ward Four area includes the densely-packed residential neighborhoods behind Hannaford’s and along Granite Street Extension and Hill Street to West Street near the city’s core and includes the neighborhood surrounding the J. Richard Martin Community Center on Alfred Street.

Nomination papers for the June 11 election for the Ward Four council 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 [email protected].