Southern Maine City Manager Quits After Just Nine Months, Complains Biddeford Has ‘Systemic Issues’

If Biddeford city officials thought they were getting calm after a storm by hiring a rookie manager, they were off the mooring by a mile.

Trucmai Tran Nguyen-Dever, who took the reins in city hall just nine months ago to succeed the Jim Bennett tumult, has abruptly resigned from her cushy $200,000 salaried perch along Maine’s southern coast.

Veteran ten-year manager Bennett had left amid a tit-for-tat storm between him and city councilors, who bet on his inexperienced successor to straighten out their financial messes.

Nguyen-Dever, a Californian who’d never run a city, “led the city through a difficult and demanding budget season,” reports Danica Lamontagne, contributing writer to BiddefordBuzz.com.

“In her letter of resignation, the outgoing city manager acknowledged ‘the scope and complexity of the issues, many of which are long-standing and systemic,” Lamontagne reports.

“Oh please,” Tim Frechette commented on Facebook. “The problems were ‘long-standing and systemic’ the entire time she was collecting that fat salary. Suddenly they’re too much now?

“She demands we waive half her six-month notice because… reasons. Translation: ‘I’m fleeing the mess I couldn’t fix – see ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya,'” Frechette added. “If she can’t even honor her own contract, why should anyone believe she ever ran the city with integrity? This is peak government accountability: none.This also says A LOT about the hiring practices of those involved.”

Nguyen-Dever’s contract requires six-month notice, but she wants councilors to waive three months of it.

Mayor Liam LaFountain tried to downplay her hasty retreat, claiming that “transitions like this are part of public service.”

In her letter of resignation, Nguyen-Dever, previously a public-works director in Kirkland, Washington, complained that councilors had not been up front with her about how hard the $4,000-a-week job was going to be.

She claims that if she had known that, “I would not have pursued the position.”

Letter of resignation:

It is with deep regret that I submit this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as Biddeford City Manager, effective August 3, 2026.

This decision was not made lightly. I came to this role deeply committed to public service and with optimism about contributing to a City with so much opportunity.

However, over time it has become apparent that the scope and complexity of the issues facing us-many of which are long-standing and systemic-cannot reasonably be addressed within the timelines or structure under which I’m expected to operate.

Despite my best efforts, there are simply too many demands and not enough time in a day to tackle what’s needed.

Additionally, this environment has increasingly limited my ability to conduct my job in a way that is consistent with my professional judgment, experience, and best practices.

The level of control and oversight imposed has made it difficult to effectively collaborate on thoughtful solutions, build mutual understanding, and empower staff. In that context, continuing in this position is no longer healthy or productive for me, nor is it beneficial for the City.

Stepping away is a matter of professional integrity and self-respect.

It is difficult for me to acknowledge, but I will be candid and say that had the full extent of these conditions and the limitations imposed on this role-been apparent when I applied, I would not have pursued the position.

I want to express my sincere appreciation for the dedicated City employees who work tirelessly on behalf of this community. Their professionalism, resilience, and commitment are what enable the City to function day to day, often under very challenging circumstances.

I strongly encourage the Council to continue supporting and respecting their efforts; without them, the City would not succeed.

To support a smooth transition, I am willing to remain in my role for up to three months, if needed, to assist in continuity planning.

While the terms of my contract call for a six month notice period, I kindly ask the Council to waive the remaining three months, as I do not believe such a lengthy notice period is in the best interest of all involved, considering the circumstances.

I remain grateful for the opportunity to have served the City of Biddeford and wish you success in addressing the challenges ahead and in identifying the leadership best positioned to do so.