Author: Tom Lewis

Are you looking for another great way to support the dedicated volunteers helping keep Crystal Beach beautiful?

The Crystal Beach Sponsor a Planter Program is a wonderful opportunity for residents, businesses, families, and community groups to show their community pride while helping brighten our streets and public spaces all season long.

These beautiful planters add so much charm and vibrancy to Crystal Beach, and they are made possible through the hard work of volunteers and the support of our community beautification committee.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back and support the ongoing beautification of Crystal Beach, consider sponsoring a planter this season!

Together, we continue to make Crystal Beach a welcoming and vibrant place for everyone to enjoy.

More details below

I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible women in our community.

To those who are moms, those who hope to become moms, and those who play a nurturing and supportive role in the lives of others this day is for you as well.

Thank you for the care, strength, compassion, and support you bring to your families, friends, workplaces, and community like #forterie every day.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and restful Mother’s Day!

There’s a noticeable increase in construction activity across the Crystal Beach neighbourhood this week, as crews work on a series of important infrastructure upgrades. Residents and visitors may see sidewalk and curb repairs underway, along with street light replacements at the intersection of Ridgeway Road and Erie Road.

While this kind of work can sometimes bring shortterm inconvenience, it plays a vital role in maintaining and improving the safety, accessibility, and overall appearance of our community. Well-maintained sidewalks and curbs support pedestrian safety and mobility, while updated street lighting enhances visibility and contributes to a safer environment for everyone, especially during evening hours.

These projects are part of the Town of Fort Erie’s ongoing commitment to investing in local infrastructure and ensuring that Crystal Beach remains a vibrant, welcoming place to live, work, and visit. Regular maintenance and timely upgrades help extend the life of public assets and prevent more significant issues down the road.

This is also a great opportunity to remind residents that keeping our community in top shape is a shared responsibility. If you notice an area in need of repair whether it’s damaged pavement, lighting issues, or other concerns please take a moment to report it. Submitting these observations helps Town staff track issues, prioritize work, and plan for future improvements.

Residents can report concerns by calling 905-871-1600 or by emailing customerservice@forterie.ca. Every report helps contribute to a safer, more connected community.

Thank you to everyone for your patience as this work continues, and for playing a role in keeping Crystal Beach and the broader Fort Erie community well-maintained and thriving.

Check out the Fort Erie Radio article by clicking on this link https://forterieradio.ca/fort-erie-expands-sidewalk-repairs-to-fix-worst-hazards/

I am sharing this to offer a bit of clarity on how FortErie acknowledges, reflects, and celebrates diversity, pride, and equity.

These values matter to our community, and it’s important to highlight the ways our community continues to grow, learn, and support one another.

Statement from Mayor Wayne Redekop Regarding Pride Flag Raising

“The Town of Fort Erie has committed meaningful and sustained action to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community and foster inclusion across our municipality. Through ongoing partnerships, hosting community events, providing town facilities, raising the Pride flag, and actively promoting Pride initiatives, we have worked to ensure residents feel seen, supported, and welcome.

We also work closely with the town’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coalition to advance inclusive practices, strengthen community connections, and guide our efforts across programs and services. Inclusion is reflected in our actions, our spaces, and our continued commitment to providing a community for everyone.

We have historically supported Pride Niagara and will continue to do so. We value the relationship and the important work Pride Niagara does across the region.

This year, Pride Niagara required that the Town of Fort Erie purchase a table of tickets to its annual awards event as a condition for raising its Pride flag.

Introducing a required financial commitment to raise an organization’s flag sets a precedent that Fort Erie is not willing to do.

This position does not reflect our commitment to Pride Niagara or the 2SLGBTQ+ community. It is about maintaining a consistent and fair approach to how the town supports organizations across the community. We recognize that other municipalities are facing similar considerations.

Fort Erie has been approached by local Pride community members wishing to raise the Pride flag on June 1st at Town Hall, so we will confirm a time and welcome anyone in the community who wishes to join us.”

Volunteer Appreciation Week offered a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the many individuals who help make Fort Erie and Crystal Beach such vibrant and connected communities.

From organizing local events to quietly supporting neighbours and community initiatives, volunteers play an essential role in strengthening the fabric of our town. Much of their work happens behind the scenes, often without recognition, yet its impact is seen and felt every day.

Their dedication, generosity, and community spirit are what keep Fort Erie thriving. On behalf of the community, thank you to all our volunteers for the time, energy, and care you continue to give.

Thank you for all that you do!

There’s a lot of construction activity happening in the Crystal Beach neighbourhood this week, including sidewalk and curb repairs, as well as street light replacements at Ridgeway Road and Erie Road.

These improvements are part of ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance our community’s infrastructure.

This is also a good reminder if you notice an area in need of repair, please report it so it can be logged and reviewed by staff for future follow-up. You can call 905-871-1600 or email customerservice@forterie.ca.

Keeping our community safe and well-maintained is a shared effort.

Today was a true celebration of community spirit and EarthDay from the opening of the community garden in Fort Erie with COPE, to tree planting in Ridgeway with the NPCA and the hard work from the Crystal Beach Beautification Committee including so many residents out walking, picking up garbage and debris.

It’s inspiring to see so many people come together to care for the place we call home. Let’s not make this a once-a-year effort let’s stay committed every day to keeping our community clean, green, and thriving.

Happy Earth Day!

Niagara Transit is introducing a new community bus service in Fort Erie, with Route 751 set to begin operations on Monday, April 27. This new route is designed to better serve high-demand areas across the community and offer consistent, reliable transportation for residents heading to work, school, appointments, shopping, and other daily activities.

To help residents learn more, Niagara Transit is hosting a series of community information sessions on April 13, 15, and 16.

At tonight’s Council meeting, I also raised the importance of accessibility and asked whether a virtual information session or webinar could be offered. This would provide an opportunity for those unable to attend in person to stay informed and even access the information afterward.

For more information visit: https://www.nrtransit.ca/news/fort-erie-community-bus/