By Gillian Graham
Staff Writer

City youth peppered Biddeford’s four mayoral candidates with questions about education and the environment during an Oct. 9 debate at city hall.
Candidates David Flood, Richard Giroux, Karl Reed Sr. and incumbent Joanne Twomey all answered questions during the televised debate, which lasted more than two hours. The questions were posed by Ryan Fecteau and Joe Drew of Biddeford High School; Tiffany Delisle of Go Greene; Alex Eon of St. James School; and Chipper Trottier of Biddeford Middle School.
The debate, sponsored by YOBO Maine, was moderated by 2009 Biddeford High School graduate Ryan Gavin. One of the founding members of YOBO – which stands for Youth Organizing for Better Opportunities – and a former student representative to the school committee, Gavin is now a political science major at the University of Maine.
Bill Macomber of YOBO Maine opened the debate by saying debates enrich democracy in Biddeford.
“I believe the impact of an event like this is potentially huge,” he said.
In opening statements, candidates expressed their dreams for the future of Biddeford. Flood, who described himself as a “professional listener,” said the city needs to get a handle on taxes, change the budget process and be more open.
Giroux said he may not always know the answer, but is always willing to go out and find answers to tough questions.
“We need business and we need new jobs,” he said. “There’s a lot of people hurting.”
Reed said he speaks directly from the heart and is not “a politician with friends in high places.” He said as mayor he will be “the regular guy listening to people’s needs.”
Twomey, who was elected two year ago, said her office is open to everyone.
“I love being the mayor of this city because I love all of you,” she said.
During the first round of questions, Trottier asked the candidates how they would make Biddeford a greener city like neighboring Saco.
“We are working very hard right now on a green zone for downtown development,” Twomey said, also noting the city has secured funding from Efficiency Maine.
Reed said he would explore wind power options and convert city cars to hybrid vehicles, while Giroux said he would gradually look into various options. Flood said he has worked on renewable energy options and thinks more people need to be involved in the process.
Eon asked candidates to convince citizens why the city should or should not have a stronger recycling program.
Reed said it is important to get everyone on board with recycling and suggested a recycling center be placed downtown for easy access. Recycling starts with educating children at school, he said. Giroux said he would like to relocate Maine Energy Recovery Company outside downtown and use the current site for some type of recycling program. He said the city does not need to provide recycling barrels to all residents and “get everyone in a tizzy.”
Flood said as a city councilor he came close to getting a curbside recycling program up and running and will push for a similar program again. He said providing trash and recycling bins to residents can generate a positive cash flow for the city.
Twomey said the city’s current recycling program at the public works building on Hill Street is successful but residents need to step up their efforts.
“I’ve already proven I can convince people about recycling, but we do need curbside recycling,” she said.
Delisle asked candidates how they would address the needs of older teens and young adults in the community. She said many need help with food and medical care.
Giroux said he would look into forming a committee to address the needs of young adults.
“It’s very important we have something for you,” he said.
Flood said there is a “strong need” for a program to address needs, which can be determined through discussions with young adults. Twomey said she will “champion a program to lift kids out of poverty” and make sure they are not abused.
“We need to make sure as policymakers our children don’t go hungry,” she said.
Reed said he feels more can be done to help young adults in the community. He said he would consider a program that would require big box stores to donate money to the city to help with programs in the downtown area. It is also important to get homeless people off the streets and into safe housing, he said.
“I’m sad every night I go home and watch this go on,” he said.

Drew, who along with Fecteau is a student representative to the school committee, asked each candidate how they would help revitalize downtown.
Flood said he worked with the Heart of Biddeford for six years to improve the downtown area. He has also made improvements to the Maine Street building he owns and is pushing for the creation of a historic district, he said.
Twomey said a lot is going on downtown with even more work to be done. She said tax-increment funding and state funding can be used to help with improvements. Finding more diversity in stores – including a kitchen gadget shop and clothing stores – will help build the area, she said.
“There is a lot happening and a lot more to happen,” she said.
Reed said getting the “rockers and shakers” of Biddeford to band together with small business owners will help revitalize downtown. He encouraged residents to shop downtown.
“Everyone downtown has a specialty,” he said. “If you support the local businesses they will grow and will help bring new jobs.”
While Reed championed local businesses, Giroux said he would like to see popular and well-known stores set up shop downtown. This would help draw people to the area, he said. He also suggested volunteers get together to beautify the area.
Fecteau asked each candidate to address plans for drawing local graduates back to the area after college.
Twomey said she has spoken with many residents who say their children are coming back to the area and finding jobs after college. While acknowledging the need for more jobs, she said there are “great opportunities” already available at the University of New England and Southern Maine Medical Center.
Giroux said the most important thing the city can do is work closely with state officials and make sure there is more to offer in the city. Reed suggested the city give one- or two-year tax breaks for people who buy houses in the city so they can set up new businesses.
Flood said he would start attracting more college graduates to the area by setting up an advertising promotion. He said the city needs to be proactive in advertising what it has to offer.
When asked by Fecteau about the need for renovations to Biddeford High School, the candidates agreed the work needs to be done. Voters will decide Nov. 3 if they want to spent $34 million on fixes to the building.
“I wish we could get more money and build a new one,” Giroux said. “We need to do something fast.”
“I have faith in the community they will make the right decision,” Reed said.
At the end of the debate, Gavin encouraged all residents to vote.
“However you vote, please vote,” he said.

The students who posed questions to the candidates said the experience was one they didn’t want to pass up. Eon, a 13-year-old eighth-grade student, said he was happy to have the opportunity to take part in the debate.
“It’s a really good experience and helps us learn more about the community,” he said. “I think it’s important because kids should be informed about politics.”
Trottier, also 13 and in eighth grade, agreed.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for all candidates to speak so we can see who would be the best pick,” he said.
Delisle, 16, said she felt it was important for youth to take part so their views are heard by candidates, who need to understand the needs of the younger generation.