When we organized Concerned Citizens of Biddeford, it was an initiative to put pressure on the administration to become more transparent. They have never had to respond to such difficult questions or the kind of intense research we are performing. We use local newspapers, tax filings, documents from Alfred and many other reliable sources.

We have pointed out the flow of free money to a small group of businesses downtown with such programs as the Façade and Main Street Challenge, which, by the way, one-half of the businesses that were awarded money no longer exist.

Just last week via our Facebook Page (Concerned Citizens of Biddeford), we informed people that the Pate property was purchased at a 30 percent premium, and now the mayor wants to give it away. We started our FB page to open conversations with those who not only agree with us but also those who disagree.

Although we continually offer empirical evidence to back our allegations, we still have a very small group of people who disagree. Their reason: the mayor and council were elected by the people. We agree; however, the duty of an elected official is to represent the entire city and not just special interest groups. The office comes with a fiscal and fiduciary responsibility that protects the best interest of the voters.

Our members are frequently stopped by people who want to thank us and express their concerns. The list of concerns is long, beginning with property taxes. We hear about road paving that is incomplete or never started. Many small businesses cannot understand why those located on Main Street are treated differently than those located elsewhere.

Now we have a new scandal, one that gives CCB more concern. A local paper investigated the fact that our mayor is using a private email account to conduct city business; when FOIAs were requested, the administration would not cooperate. The administration is also conducting closed meetings that include the mayor and four council members, but for what purpose?

Some may disagree with what we are doing; we feel it needs to be done.

Craig H. Cantata
Howard Hanson
Concerned Citizens of Biddeford