Fort Erie Radio ‘really tuned in’ with community BBQ and fundraiser
May 17, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Playing a role in the town’s population being well informed was one of Brent Jones’ goals when he started Fort Erie Radio last year.
On Saturday, the local news outlet and online radio station hosted a free barbecue at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 71 to mark the one-year anniversary of its first live broadcast, which occurred May 13, 2024.
Jennifer Meacher serves guests at the Fort Erie Radio community barbecue on Saturday. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie Radio“If you don’t know what the issues are, you don’t know how to form a fleshed-out opinion,” said Jones, program director for Fort Erie Radio.
About 400 people came through to enjoy a complimentary meal and to take a shot at winning prizes, including a 48,000 BTU patio heater donated by Fort Erie RONA.
Hosts Steve Simkus and Brenda Tyrrell chat with a guest at Fort Erie Radio’s one-year anniversary celebration on Saturday. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioA 50/50 draw was also held in support of Community Living Fort Erie (CLFE), bringing in a total of more than $600.
Winners of the heater and the 50/50 draw will be announced on-air during the morning show with Jones and Tyrrell on Tuesday.
“We thought the best way to celebrate is to bring out the community who has listened to us,” said Jones.
He said the outlet strives to provide the best local news in the community, done in both an entertaining and informative fashion.
“Infotainment,” he described it.
Councillors George McDermott and Joan Christensen, as well as recently elected Conservative MP Fred Davies stopped by to show support.
Recently elected Niagara South MP Fred Davies and Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioWayne Redekop’s first run as mayor was from 1997 to 2006. He returned to the municipal arena in 2014 and has been re-elected as mayor twice since then.
That’s a long time taking phone calls and questions from local media, an industry he says is crucial to small communities, especially growing ones like Fort Erie.
“Having the ability to get news and information out to the community is extremely important,” he said at the event.
Redekop also said the local population is fortunate to have Fort Erie Radio as a source of information, as it is “really tuned in” to what’s happening in the community.
“It’s a timely way to get information out, and it’s accurate information,” he added.
While local governments often depend on news outlets to be a conduit for information they want disseminated, not everything is a positive story.
People line up at the Fort Erie Radio community appreciation barbecue on Saturday. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie Radio“Even if it’s a story that’s embarrassing to the community or negative,” it is nice to have dependable outlets who will objectively share all sides of the story, the mayor said, adding Fort Erie Radio has a “good reputation with the community.”
CLFE executive director Sandy Leemet was delighted that her organization was on the receiving end of the event, about two weeks after they benefitted from McHappy Day at McDonald’s on Garrison Road.
“It’s absolutely amazing the Fort Erie community has come together again,” she said.
“We’re so grateful for this,” she added.
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About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
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