By Gillian Graham
Staff Writer
    
The Biddeford mayoral race gained momentum last week as each candidate accused the other of engaging in dirty politics and bullying.
Mayor Joanne Twomey, who is running for a third term, called a press conference in response to a statement released by challenger Alan Casavant, a state representative.
In a Sept. 21 statement, Casavant said he received an e-mail from the Biddeford post of Veterans of Foreign Wars that asked for his support of the post’s decision to ban Twomey from future VFW parades. Casavant said veterans were upset with Twomey because she “gave the cold shoulder” to a company that manufactures military products that considered relocating to Biddeford.
Casavant said veterans also told him they were upset Twomey did not visit Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to meet with a submarine crew for whom Biddeford is host.
“I can’t imagine not rolling out the red carpet for any company that wants to come to Biddeford. And the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has put food on the tables of Biddeford families for generations,” Casavant wrote. “I’m not sure what her reasons are for not visiting the submarine crew, but if I’m elected I will certainly revive that tradition immediately.”
Casavant declined to release a copy of the VFW e-mail because he did not want to identify the sender. Twomey released a copy of the e-mail, which was written by City Council candidate Roland Pelletier, a trustee for the post.
Twomey held a press conference Sept. 22 with Commander Raymond Doyon and Ralph Goulet of VFW Memorial Post 489.
“It saddened me to think that the relationship and respect I have worked hard to foster with our local veterans was put in jeopardy by purposeful misinformation e-mailed and posted on the Web for no other reason than political gain,” Twomey said. “My opponent began his campaign talking about civility and yet he reacts to an e-mail and posts it for all to see without checking any facts? Is this his idea of civility?”
Twomey said she has been a vocal opponent of war, but has never been anti-veterans. She said she has marched in local parades for 18 years and supports veterans. She said she has met with the crew of the submarine Biddeford is hosting, but was unavailable to attend their arrival ceremony.
“I really thought this was pretty dirty to use veterans for political gain,” Twomey said.
Doyon said he wanted to clarify information about the VFW contained in the e-mail, which was forwarded to Twomey. He said a member asked for the vote during an informal meeting. He said the vote is illegal because there was not a quorum at the meeting and the group’s charter prevents it from voting on political issues.
Doyon said he now recognizes he should have asked more questions about the information presented before the vote to ban Twomey from parades.
“I forgot for every truth there is another truth,” he said.
Twomey said accusations that she prevented Howe and Howe Technologies Inc. from relocating to Biddeford are false. The Waterboro-based business specializes in extreme vehicle fabrication and design.
City Manager John Bubier said he and Economic Development Director Daniel Stevenson showed Howe and Howe representatives six locations in Biddeford. He said the company also looked at Saco locations before moving to Waterboro.    Bubier said he believes the company’s decision not to move to Biddeford was because of “a cash flow issue.” He said Twomey had no involvement in the process.
Casavant said he released his statement as part of an ongoing dialogue with voters. He said he posts items on his website he thinks are newsworthy to prompt supporters to consider different topics.
Casavant said he wants people to look at Twomey’s “questionable behavior,” especially with the business community and Howe and Howe. He said he does believe Twomey’s anti-war sentiments played a part in the company’s decision to move to a different community. He also said “people feel threatened by her personal vindictiveness and bullying” but they won’t speak about it on the record out of fear.
Casavant said there was “nothing dirty” about his decision to release information from the VFW e-mail to the public.
“I’m not going to get dirty whatsoever in this campaign,” he said.
Twomey and Casavant will both participate in a candidates’ night from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Theater. The event is sponsored by the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Casavant said in a prepared statement he has challenged Twomey to at least two debates before the November election. Twomey said she will consider a second debate but feels all issues likely will be addressed next Wednesday.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 220.