- April 18, 2024
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For over 30 years, Marc Bernier's voice filled the airwaves at WNDB.
The host of "The Marc Bernier Show," which aired weekdays on 93.5 FM and 1150 AM, often brought in local government officials, community members and political candidates and gave them a platform to speak about different issues, regardless of whether he sided with them or not. On his show's website, there are 4,000 pages of recordings of interviews and segments dating back to 2010.
On Saturday, Aug. 28, WNDB and Southern Stone Communications announced Bernier had died after a three-week long battle with COVID-19.
Ormond Beach City Commissioner Dwight Selby, who was a contributor on "The Marc Bernier Show," said it is hard to believe Bernier is gone.
"We were so fortunate to have Marc in our community," said Selby, often a featured guest on Bernier's "Volusianaries" segments, in an email. "Three hours of talk radio every weekday afternoon, his morning commentaries and the world class speakers he would fly in to Daytona to enrich our lives. Very few communities, especially of our size, enjoy the quality of communication that Marc Bernier provided for several decades."
Port Orange City Councilman Chase Tramont expressed similar sentiments. The two first met in 2015 when Tramont was running for office. He called him a "terrific friend, and a great man" who loved his family, community and country.
“His impact on this community, in my opinion, is unmatched," Tramont said.
Bernier's career began long before he joined WNDB. According to his bio on his show's website, Bernier, a Rhode Island native, had been in the radio and television industry for 46 years, having hosted morning radio shows in New England before he moved to Florida in 1990 to serve as the executive producer of Steve Crowley's "American Scene." Prior to joining WNDB, Bernier conducted his own radio show called "The American Forum."
In 2009, he joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to serve as a special assistant to the president for government and community affairs where he moderated and produced "The President's Speaker Series," a live program that featured public policy experts on foreign and domestic policy, according to his bio. In 2019, he moved the series to Daytona State College and focused on local and regional issues.
Bernier was also a contributor to Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC, and served as a news analyst for Fox 35 News in Orlando.
Ormond Beach resident and retired attorney Jim Rose worked alongside Bernier during a 15 year period when he hosted a weekly radio show on WNDB. One thing he admired about Bernier was his manner of interviewing his guests. His death is a loss to talk radio, Rose said.
Rose was also a past guest on Bernier's "Volusianaries" segment. Bernier made sure he had a panel with varying viewpoints on that segment, and Rose said Bernier was always courteous. They hardly ever agreed on issues, but all of the panelists had a good time during the discussions.
“You don’t see that as much nowadays," Rose said. "It’s nice to be able to sit down and discuss things with people and disagree without being disagreeable. Marc personified that."
The biggest impression Bernier left on Tramont was his ability to ask the tough questions while being fair, the councilman said. Being on the "Volusianaries" segment was an incredible experience, he added. Bernier was able to navigate the panelists through that to produce respectful and intelligent discussions.
“He had one of the most important jobs that one could have," Tramont said. "He informed the public and he took tremendous pride in his craft. There was nobody better.”
Ormond Beach Libertarian Joe Hannoush also appeared on Bernier's show several times, and the "Volusianaries" segment was his favorite. He said the community was fortunate to have Bernier.
"He welcomed people to call in or email to opine on various issues he would talk about on how show," Hannoush said. "Whether he agrees with them or not. His interview style with elected officials and candidates was a perfect mix of Tim Russert and Larry King."
Bernier stance against COVID-19 vaccinations was very clear.
His last tweet before he was admitted to the hospital compared vaccine mandates to Nazi Germany. His twitter account has since been deleted.
In his last "Bernier News and Commentary" segment on July 30, Bernier spoke about President Joe Biden's call for states to offer a $100 incentive to receive the vaccine.
"They're increasing the size of the carrot, because as time marches on, and more cases are reporter, we're now learning that people are digging in their heels deeper," said Bernier on the air. "I don't know that $100 are going to move them to be honest. I mean, it's your choice to do so."
Tramont, who is recovering from COVID-19 himself after being hospitalized at the same time as Bernier, has strong feelings about the way Bernier's death has been portrayed in headlines.
"I think it’s despicable the way the media has latched on to one particular personal opinion of which he shared," Tramont said. "That has made headlines simply because of that, and I think it’s disgraceful. It shows the absolute worst side of humanity.”
On the June 9 "Volusianaries" segment, which featured both Hannoush and Rose as guests, vaccines and the origins COVID-19 were a topic of discussion. Rose, who disagreed with Bernier's anti-vaccine stance, said the commentary surrounding Bernier's decision is "a little harsh." But, he does hope people who haven't done so yet get vaccinated.
“I just wish I would have maybe talked to him a little bit more about it," Rose said. "He had his reasons. It wasn’t really a political reason with him.”
WNDB will host a special program beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31, in remembrance of Bernier.
This story was updated at 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31, to include comments Port Orange City Councilman Chase Tramont.
