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Name: Jean Murphy

Occupation: Executive assistant

Residence: North Tonawanda

With the proposed cut in funding, will Buffalo’s first responder units be well prepared in the event of an emergency? Absolutely not, I think we need all the funding we need in this area especially with the close proximity to an international border such as Canada.

How do you feel the proposed changes would affect you as a member of the community living along the international border? It would affect me adversely; as a matter of fact I have trouble getting over the border with the strictness of some of the toll takers now. They’ve threatened to turn me back because I didn’t have a passport. I understand they need to protect the border but not to the determent of US citizens crossing.

If a passport or a border ID becomes mandatory, will it deter you and your family from traveling across the river? It most certainly will. I was ready to turn around and go home when I was being given such grief by the inspector that particular day.

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Name: Tim Martin

Occupation: Retired/music teacher

Residence: Buffalo

With the proposed cut in funding, will Buffalo’s first responder units be well prepared in the event of an emergency? I don’t think so.

How do you feel the proposed changes would affect you as a member of the community living along the international border? Well, we won’t feel as secure as we’d like to feel.

If a passport or a border ID becomes mandatory, will it deter you and your family from traveling across the river? Yeah, I like to go across the border just to take a walk on the other side. You know, little situations like that. There would be more impact on our budgets; it should be rejected.

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Name: Tim Sweeney

Occupation: Social worker

Residence: Glenwood

With the proposed cut in funding, will Buffalo’s first responder units be well prepared in the event of an emergency? Absolutely not, we are on an international border and if you are going to use all that money—as opposed to things like education, which they’ve cut—it should be on the border not in the heartland. Although I suppose they could attack anyplace. But it’s certainly going to hurt this area.

How do you feel the proposed changes would affect you as a member of the community living along the international border? Well, I think that the things with the ID cards or whatever, that’s ridiculous. We are kind of a community with Canada.

If a passport or a border ID becomes mandatory, will it deter you and your family from traveling across the river? Yes.