Three candidates compete for two at-large Biddeford City Council seats

Three candidates are competing for two Biddeford at-large City Council seats.

Marc Lessard, 62, is married with two adult children. He is director of external contract manufacturingat HP Hood LLC.

Lessard is currently an at-large Biddeford City Councilor, and is seeking re-election. He was first elected to the Council in 1993, and has served 10 terms. He served 9 years on the York County Budget Committee. He has also served on the Zoning Board of Appeals, recreation committee and as chairman of the Finance Committee, Operations Committee, Restructuring Committee and City Charter Review Committee.

“The current path we are taking is unsustainable.We can’t keep giving away money to people who are not from our city and pass the burden onto our taxpayers. The Mayor wants to continue bringing low-income housing to our city which will eventually force generational multifamily owners to invest less in their properties. That will drive down the value of rental property,” said Lessard. “Since 55% of the residences in our city are apartments, their lower value will transfer the tax burden onto single family homeowners.This is a formula for future economic erosion in our community. The JFK property is the next battle.If you were to ask voters if they would rather have recreation for our children or another low-income housing development for non-Biddeford people, I believe the vast majority would pick recreation.”

Lessard said if re-elected, addressing taxes would be on the top of his list of priorities. He said the tax rate has risen nearly 25 percent over the past four years and is a substantial “black eye” for the administration.

“Too much focus has been placed on low-income housing (housing that is not dedicated to a Biddeford taxpayer), all to impress the limousine leadership with a sound bite of ‘I, the Mayor of Biddeford, have approved the largest number of low-income housing in the State of Maine,” he said.

Lessard said the city needs to find new ways of developing all housing and increasing revenues to lessen the negative effect of taxes on Biddeford citizens. The city needs to pay more attention to its current resident taxpayers -owners and renters- and the needs of their families instead of believing the city can just “spend ourselves into prosperity,” he said.

Lessard said another top priority, if re-elected would be to develop new ways to attract and maintain city staff.

Lisa Vadnais, 64, is married with three adult children. She is a retired educator and is currently co-owner and manager of Cole Fuel. She is currently on the school committee, where she has served for 16 years, and has also served on the Biddeford School Finance committee during her tenure on the school committee.

“I’ve served for 16 years on the Biddeford School Board. My service is a way to get involved in my community. My life has changed in the last 16 years, I am no longer working in education and I no longer have children in the school district. I feel it’s time to lend my voice to city issues. I would like to continue to serve my community and believe that City Council would be a good way to continue that service. I also have great support from my constituents, many of which have encouraged me to run and be their voice,” said Vadnais.

Vadnais said that most of the people she has talked to believe that property tax is one of the biggest issues that residents face.

She said one way Biddeford could lower taxes is to put more focus on bringing industry to the city.

“Industry built Biddeford and I believe it can sustain it and bring much needed revenue to our city,” she said.

Vadnais said the city spent many years revitalizing downtown, and while it’s important to have a thriving downtown, it’s now time to use our industrial parks and areas specifically designated to promote big businesses. These areas are all on the outskirts of town so most of the traffic would not impact local travel, she said. Building housing in the downtown and central area of the city will increase traffic at an unmanageable pace, she said.

She said she thinks Biddeford has an affordable housing issue, but when too much focus is put on one demographic, it becomes unsustainable for the rest of the community. Affordable housing is important, but Biddeford can not take on the entire solution to this the issue – other communities must also do their fair share. The city has to keep in mind the amount of public services that will be overwhelmed by the overdevelopment of housing .

“This city is growing at a rapid rate. I think it’s time to take a pause and direct our attention on what’s in the best interest of all residents,” she said.

Nasreen Sheikh-Yousef did not respond to media requests. She said in a survey by community group Better Biddeford that she is employed to support people who are homeless and have mental illness.

Sheikh-Yousef served one year on the Portland Charter Commission, according to her campaign website.

“I am running to put people first so everyone in Biddeford can put down roots and thrive,” said Sheikh-Yousef on her website.

Biddeford is in a housing crisis, said Sheikh-Yousef on her website. The city needs to require more affordable homes in new development and prioritize non-luxury projects. There needs to be early, meaningful community input before plans by developers are put in place, she said. The city also needs to expand emergency rent assistance so residents can stay housed, and strengthen renter protections, she said.

She said if elected, another top priority would be to make property taxes more fair and predictable, with relief that protects seniors, working families, and low-income households. Sheik-Yousef said, if elected, she would fight for a $20 minimum wage and support policies for businesses that keep money in the local community.

Sheikh-Yousef said if elected, she would work to protect the environment so Biddeford can grow responsibly while safeguarding what makes the community special.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.