From the Niagara Falls Review:
Beverly Eckhart grew up in Buffalo. So did her husband, Sean Rooney.
They crossed the border often to visit Canada and Eckhart has a strong attachment to the Niagara region.
But unlike the Western New Yorkers who are passionate advocates of holding down the status quo when it comes to security at the border, Eckhart is equally passionate that the days of viewing the cross-border region as one big city with a river running through it are long gone.
“I’ve listened to the debate in the Western New York area. I’m from here. I’ve been crossing the border my whole life. I appreciate the nostalgia,” said Eckhart, whose husband was killed in the World Trade Center attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“But I’m also nostalgic for the days my husband was alive.”