Biddeford’s City Theater was packed Tuesday as hundreds of people attended the city of Biddeford’s 151st inauguration of the new mayor, city councilors and school committee members.

Martin ‘Marty’ Grohman – a former city councilor, state representative and successful entrepreneur – took the stage with his wife and children for the swearing-in ceremony that followed a butterfly theme, according to the event’s emcee, Renee O’Neil.

Grohman’s wife, Amy, held the Bible for her husband as he took the oath to become the city’s newest mayor.

 

Photo courtesy of Raoul Goulet

“Marty’s campaign theme focused on being proud of the past and dedicated to the future,” O’Neil explained to the audience, pointing out that the life cycle of a butterfly takes places in three stages, a “perfect analogy” of Biddeford’s transformation that began more than 200 years ago when immigrants from all over the world, including Canada, Greece and Albania --came to the city for work and other opportunities for a better life.

“When all those mills closed, Biddeford went into its cocoon stage,” O’Neil said. “But the city never lost its purpose or its soul; it was just part of a transformation.”

Moments after being sworn in, Grohman addressed the audience and often repeated a theme of striving for excellence that will be his platform as the city’s mayor.

“During my campaign and even now, I have said that there are four major things I want to tackle during the next two years,” Grohman said. “Affordable housing, city expenses, homelessness and yes – problems with the parking garage,” which drew a round of laughter from the crowd.

Grohman said each of the city’s problems and areas of concern will be addressed in a “one step-by-by-one step manner,” pointing to the development of a 250-unit workforce housing project on the Barra Road and a recent initiative by the Biddeford Housing Authority that will create several affordable-rental units including opportunities for family housing; and that the city council recently created an affordable housing trust fund.

The new mayor also said he wants the city council and city staff to help him “chase down” wasted dollars.

 “It’s time for us to invest in energy here as opposed to spending all our money on oil,” Grohman said.

Grohman drew a somber moment in his remarks, when he pointed to the issue of the city’s unhoused population.

“Almost every teacher in our public school system has at least one student that is homeless; maybe sleeping with their family in a car or staying with a friend,” Grohman said. “We cannot and will not ignore this issue. This crisis needs to be addressed on a regional basis.”

Grohman said he is also going to work closely with the company that operates the city’s parking garage. As more people use the garage, eventually the private operators will “be writing checks to the city, and you’re all going to like that,” he said.

Grohman made a point to thank city employees who work “24/7” in order to make “our city a great community. Good is not good enough,” he said. “We will be striving always for excellence.”

Grohman also made a point to thank former State Senator Susan Deschambault – his campaign opponent who was seated in the balcony during the ceremony—for her “continuing lifetime of work on behalf of Biddeford,” including her current tenure on the planning board.

As was expected, outgoing mayor Alan Casavant drew two separate rousing and standing ovations for his work as the city’s second-longest serving mayor. Grohman asked Casavant to come up on stage because he needed “the keys to the mayor’s office.”

At the beginning of Tuesday’s ceremony, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Retired Colonel Jen Fullmer of the United States Air Force and Corporal (Ret.) Conrad Letellier of the United States Marine Corps.

The invocation was presented by Pastor Justin Sweeney of New Life Church; and the National Anthem was performed by Delilah Poupore, executive director of the Heart of Biddeford.

The Biddeford Middle School fifth-grade choir performed two selections during the ceremony.

The evening’s Benediction was given by Rev. Paula Norbert of Union Church.

Many dignitaries were also in attendance, including former Biddeford mayors Bonnie Pothier and Michael Cantara, state legislators and representatives from the area’s Congressional offices. Saco’s newly elected mayor, Jodi McPhail, and her husband, Alex, were also in attendance.

In addition to the swearing in of the new mayor; members of the city council and school committee were also sworn in to begin their two-year terms. The new city council includes William Emhiser, Scott Whiting, Roger Beaupre, Bobby Mills, Julian Schlaver; Norman Belanger, Liam LaFountain, Doris Ortiz and Marc Lessard. School committee members include Meagan Desjardins, Randy Forcier, Rebecca Henry, Michele Landry, John McCurry, Marie Potvin and Lisa Vadnais.

While most of the city councilors were returning for another two years, former Police Chief Roger Beaupre took his first oath as an elected official during Tuesday’s ceremony.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Beaupre said of his upcoming term on the council. “I hope I can bring my 51 years of experience in working for the city to the council level,” he said.

Randy Seaver can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.