📰BIDDEFORD | Really Harry? | UNE Grievance Meeting

"Instead of respecting the hard work of these residents and doing THE ONLY TASK REQUIRED OF HIM (UNDIVIDED ATTENTION TO THE SPEAKERS), City Solicitor Harry Center, instead chose to be on his cell phone and laptop. In fact, on two separate occasions, Mr. Center did not look up from his phone for over 2 mins. At one point, Harry even took his laptop off his desk, sat back in his chair, and proceeded to casually use it."

We want to preface this by saying that this is not the normal type of article or story that we write. Because we strive to amplify the voice of the community, we feel obligated to share this on behalf of the residents that organized, attended, and spoke at the UNE Grievance Meeting.

October 24, 2025, Last night, the Biddeford City Council, Mayor Martin Grohman, City Manager Truc Dever, and City Solicitor Harry Center, sat before approximately 50+ residents of Biddeford to hear their concerns regarding what has come to be commonly known as the “UNE Pier Controversy". Notably among the crowd were 7 candidates currently running for city council; Jim Labelle, John McCurry, Sam Pecor, Patricia Boston, Roger Hubertise, Brad Cote, and Lisa Vadnais.

Biddeford residents gather for UNE Grievance Meeting

Unlike City Council meetings, this meeting was called and “ran” by Biddeford residents. 

In fact, the very reason the meeting occurred, is because residents who were displeased with the current UNE Pier approval process, who felt their concerns were being ignored, created a petition and gathered the necessary signatures to call for a meeting that required Biddeford’s elected officials and city staff to be present; THE RESIDENTS CREATED A SITUATION WHERE THEY COULD BE HEARD, ON THE RECORD, IN PUBLIC, AND VOICE THEIR CONCERNS TO ELECTED OFFICIALS IN HOPES OF ACHIEVING ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHANGE - Bravo!

The meeting was moderated by Craig Pendleton, former executive director of the Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce+Industry.

As residents took to the podium to speak, emotions ranged from frustrated, to laughter, sadness, and even included heartfelt memories regarding former Harbor Master Marshall Alexander.

Wade Goldthwait of Biddeford Pool speaks to City Council and staff

At this point in an article such as this, we would continue on discussing the sentiments expressed by residents during the meeting, however, Randy Seaver from the Biddeford Gazette did an excellent job capturing that in his article which we encourage you to read that here: https://biddeford-gazette.com/2025/10/23/residents-sound-off-about-une-pier-mayor-tries-to-rewrite-history/

With that being said, we would like to take this opportunity to discuss something slightly different, but important and worth noting in respect to the hard work of the residents.

The residents who organized this meeting did so by utilizing their own time, effort, and who knows what else. In addition, this meeting took place on a weekday at 6:00 PM, yet over 50+ residents, city council candidates, and the Biddeford Chief of Police, all found it important enough that even after a long day working, etc, instead of going home to relax, chose to be at 205 Main Street Biddeford; City Hall Chambers. 

So what are we getting at? Well. After all that hard work, dedication, effort, time, what have you, from these Biddeford residents to have this meeting with elected officials and city staff, one person chose, what is arguably the single most disrespectful path they could have; avoidance and or ignoring the very people that went through all this trouble to require you to be there. 

Instead of respecting the hard work of these residents and doing THE ONLY TASK REQUIRED OF HIM (UNDIVIDED ATTENTION TO THE SPEAKERS), City Solicitor Harry Center, instead chose to be on his cell phone and laptop. In fact, on two separate occasions, Mr. Center did not look up from his phone for over 2 mins. At one point, Harry even took his laptop off his desk, sat back in his chair, and proceeded to casually use it.

Harry Center looks at his phone and laptop while residents voice their concerns

Now, perhaps Mr. Center was looking up information pertinent to the speaker and their sentiments, however, “now was not the time”.  The purpose of this meeting was beyond specific. Residents felt their concerns were not being heard and individuals were not being held accountable, so much so that they spent time and energy to have a special meeting requiring elected officials and city staff to attend.

Mayor Martin Grohman listens intently to residents voicing their concerns

The very nature of the meeting made it clear the most important thing to these residents was having the elected officials and city staff’s undivided attention, in a public forum to listen to their concerns… and Harry Center, for whatever reason, just couldn’t do it. 

There was an easy choice to make tonight for City staff and elected officials, and that was to listen intently with undivided focus; Everyone except one person on the dais, Harry, achieved this goal. Not cool Harry.

Thank you to all that attended the meeting and contributed - you are seen and heard.

Council members listen intently while residents voice concerns