As the Biddeford mayoral race continues, City Council president and candidate for mayor Liam LaFountain has called on his opponents to join him in a debate.

Next month, LaFountain will join incumbent Martin Grohman and fellow City Councilor Norman Belanger in a mayoral debate moderated by journalists from three news sources, including Biddeford-Saco Now.

The debate will take place Friday, Oct. 10, at Biddeford High School, with the panel asking questions submitted by the public.

“I would welcome multiple debates,” LaFountain said.

According to LaFountain, a recent controversial City Council agenda item “raised the alarm” with some Biddeford residents.

“That’s what I’m hearing around town,” he said. “Voters object to back-room dealings in city government becoming the norm. Biddeford needs a course correction.”

In an interview with Biddeford-Saco Now, Biddeford Mayor Grohman said he “looks forward” to joining his opponents in the upcoming debate.

“It will give me an opportunity to highlight the many successes of my first term,” Grohman said.

The successes Grohman mentioned include closing the major homeless encampment in Mechanics Park, approving “more affordable housing than any other mayor in Maine,” replacing the city manager, and attracting new businesses, such as L.L.Bean, to Biddeford.

“I’m looking forward to continued economic growth and opportunity for Biddeford,” Grohman said.

Belanger also told Biddeford-Saco Now that he will join next month’s debate.

“This will be an excellent opportunity for the voters to get some of their questions answered and learn more about all three candidates,” Belanger said. “What differentiates us along with the areas where we agree.”

Belanger said he hopes the questions asked at the debate reflect the concerns of Biddeford citizens, including taxes, growth, homeownership, homelessness, city accountability, openness in government, infrastructure, global warming and sustainability, and zoning.

LaFountain also said taxes are one of the issues at the top of mind for Biddeford voters, noting that many voters are concerned about “Biddeford’s unsustainable rise in taxes.”

Close behind are concerns about the city’s approach to developer incentives.

According to LaFountain, developer incentives too often provide significant tax breaks without attaching stronger protections for residents, leaving taxpayers to shoulder more of the cost burden.

“These are the concerns I hear everywhere I go,” he said.

“I look forward to a respectful and spirited debate,” LaFountain said. “Biddeford residents deserve no less.”