BIDDEFORD — Biddeford’s Ward 5 has new representation on the City Council, following Mayor Alan Casavant’s appointment of Victoria Foley to the post on Tuesday.
 
Foley replaces five-term Councilor and former Charter Commission member Bob Mills, who announced his resignation due to his relocation to a residence in Ward 4 on Facebook May 16. 
 
Mills initially said his last day on the City Council would be June 13, next Tuesday, but his move to a home on Windsor Lane came faster than anticipated. His resignation was accepted by the council Tuesday evening.
 
Foley, who was born in Portland, is a marketing manager at New England Cancer Specialists in Scarborough. Also a member of the Downtown Development Commission, she also has professional experience in journalism and radio broadcasting, serving as a public radio reporter in the United States and Canada.
 
She currently lives at a home on Mason Street with her two rescue dogs, Parker and Beignet. She’ll serve the remainder of Mills’ term, which expires in December, following approval from the existing members of the City Council on Tuesday.
 
Foley, who chairs the board of Greater Portland Health, said she’s delighted to take on the position.
 
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to serve the community,” Foley, 34, said before the council meeting Tuesday evening. “I think Biddeford has so much to offer — it’s big reason why I moved here, myself, and I think the City Council has an opportunity to continue that growth in a positive way.
 
“I look forward being a part of it,” she said.
 
Casavant’s decision to appoint Foley came easily, he said in a release, having met her at the 2017 Winterfest event and noticing her desire to continue Biddeford’s development.
 
“I quickly recognized her passion for the City and working with people,” Casavant said in a release Tuesday. “I know she will work well with the City Councilors and the Biddeford team. We are delighted to nominate her.”
 
Foley also volunteers with Girls on the Run Maine and is a recent addition to the volunteering staff at Heart of Biddeford. She’s a past board member of the Maine Track Club and has volunteered on committees for the Maine Marathon and the Beach to Beacon 10K.
 
An active community member, she hopes to continue Biddeford’s current downtown revitalization efforts, particularly with regard to business and affordable housing development. A native Mainer, she’s excited to bring her homegrown perspective to the City Council.
 
“I certainly bring the perspective of someone who’s from Maine and wants to see Maine thrive, and Biddeford thrive,” she said.
 
Mills said in a release Tuesday he’s happy with his replacement, although he also said his resignation is bittersweet.
 
“I met with and am very impressed by Victoria. I am proud to turn my seat over to her,” he said. “I want to thank all the citizens and staff and mayors and councils that have put up with me all these years … it’s been phenomenal. The experiences and things I went through and learned I wouldn’t trade in for the world.”
 
— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.