BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....Laura Finnagan is not a politician.
Finnagan is just an everyday citizen who has not skin in the game when it comes politics.
But to Finngan, she can't understand why Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, late last week, canceled a federal-backed job fair set for Sept. 1 and Sept 2 at the Buffalo Convention Center because of security and possible civil unrest issues.
Among the federal agencies looking to hire people was both Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement - both of whom are controversial.
Federal agencies were looking to hire at least 40 people by the end of the fair and more than 200 other potential job openings were available.
"People should make their own choices (about the federal job fairs) and not the government for them," Finnagan said.
Finnagan is a snapshot of how the average citizen feels about the job fair flap.
While Poloncarz has been heavily criticized for his decision, others have jumped in and praised the county executive for standing up to the federal government.
"Mark was right in shutting it down," said Victoria Ross, former executive director of the WNY Peace Center.
Buffalo resident Dexter Shaw says he has mixed feelings about the decision to shut down the fair. He understands both the pros and cons of the decision.
"I go back and forth," Shaw said. "I'm not sure what I think about it."
Several hundred people - many from outside the region - were expected to attend the job fair.
Downtown hotel rooms were booked and restaurants in the central business district expected a slight bump in business.
"A job is a job," said Mike Finnagan, Laura's husband..
The job fair was coming at a time when the region's jobless rate was 4.4%, as of July 31, according to the Federal Reserve.
"People need jobs and this was an opportunity," Shaw said.
Since its cancelation, the career fair has find a new location at the US Coast Guard base at 1 Fuhrmann Boulevard in Buffalo.
DHS found a new site for its job fair.Department of Homeland Security
