Amherst News-Times, 2006-09-13

              voters already mobilizing - page 3 i terror victims honored amherst newsrtime j?1 mrtihti v iliiiriiiitlmwmpiit ii iwn mil m in ill t! ; l..l ll if. a2?sfc! ft: rr bb9 '"ii how small-town america has changed since 9-11 by jason hawk news-times reporter is safe? are you those questions continue to rid dle local emergency forces as the united states observes fifth anniversary of al-qaida terrorist attacks on sept. 11.2001. past five years, federal homeland security budget exploded $40.2 billion close double 2001 budget. funding continuing grow with $3.6 state and first rcsponder grants 2006. most lias been aimed at protecting urban areas high-profile targets, like cleveland, davis-bcssc nuclear power station, even browns stadium. but for all spending, we safer? police worry about j firefighters remember wtc deaths a small city no tactical targets war against terror, unlikely become battleground. effects clearly imprinted minds hearts officers they anywhere else, says chief lonnie dillon. "police citizens have be alert anything unusual. we're line defense," he said. 2001. many arrests terrorist-linked suspects made regular beat cops, now aware that every incident, traffic stop, day could crucial terror. "i was scared these kinds scenarios before world trade center 9-1 1 it put different perspective it." dillon consider plane went down pennsylvania. flew right continued 7 under shadow center. 343 new york risked lost their lives . may never contend suicide planes, 220 floors twin towers crashing around them, or digging comrades out nibble. 35 who defend amherst, images embedded forev er fears, said fire wayne northeim. "you know. you're going do what save lives. it's noinu nut vou iconardv. our uuvs know that." "it woke us up lot things, vulnerable any respond to." whenever wherever arc dispatched, casual tics among brothers tf-1 minds, northeim h mm your everyday life 11, 2001? michael plog think reminds what's truly important life. there times get too busy reminded me intentionally slow down." marge marshall trust more. bo grateful everything lord ho'll soo through comes." jackie wolf "i'm more careful when fly. i'm live my way want mmmm jeff dlotalevl don't fly anymore worried something happening again." curfew law might see light 'it's curb opportunity cause vandalism,' tells council paula judy, homo schools her children, asks reconsider proposed daylight curfew. after another hour debate, still early tell will win council's arm-wrestling match over law. curtailing vandalism which believe caused school-skipping legislation draw flack from opponents monday night. "the primary purpose enforcement punish guilty protect innocent. this ordinance does exactly opposite." gieg ashley oaknoll drive. father enrolls his own children home school, distributed information school legal defense association claiming similar ordinances across slates overturned courts. amherst's top advisor. kenneth stumphauzer, declined comment constitutionality during meeting. ohio courts upheld curfews because compulsory education laws require students at-large matt barren, an attorney. "what trying stop vandalism," lie tnist if abuse deal "this isn't vandalism. dillon, questioned councilman l:d cowger. frequent offenders known sight, receive daily absentee reports schools, though sclu.ols report 97 percent attendance r te suspended trim "out roaming streets day," claimed. "so lrom locked house?" cowger asked. only received one phone call supporting law, disproportionate number calls opposing it. mother standing