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Show MX rally draws some support MILFORD A sparse group of less than 75 MX supporters turned out to a pro-MX rally Thursday night at Milford High School. The placard-bearing crowd heard speeches from local representatives, a retired Air Force colonel and a former Ogden city official. They also heard outlined plans for a pro-MX trip to Washington, planned April 9-11. Between 100 and 140 southern Utahns and Nevadans are expected to make the trip. Rally moderator Lynn Haslem, of the Beaver County School District, said the rally was a chance to "provide a public forum for those speaking in favor of the MX. "The history of issues like this is that those opposed are being heard and those in favor are remaining silent." Haslem said a good part of his basis for favoring Utah-Nevada deployment of the MX results from his work with schools. "We would like the opportunity to train children here, and have our children stay here," he said. Haslem concluded his opening remarks by stating that Milford was "a dying town," and that "it cannot continue with the status quo. It must either move ahead or die." Ed Hawkins, a retired Air Force colonel, then told the group "we're way behind as far as defense goes," and added he feels study on the MX system has to stop and "something has to move." Hawkins said he feels it is important "that we get to Secretary (Caspar) Weinberger and tell him not everyone in Utah is against MX." Hawkins expressed concern over the studies now being conducted by the Reagan Administration, saying: "I get heartburn when I see how slow MX is coming a about. We have a serioius, serious problem today as far as the Russians are concerned. The Russians will start something when they feel they are in a position to win." Hawkins also told the group, military people would make good neighbors to southern Utahns. "You'd be surprised about how well military people fit into a community," he said. "You'd be extremely ex-tremely proud to have one move in as your next-door neighbor." Hawkins also spoke briefly about his role on Gov. Scott Matheson's MX Military Advisory Committee. When asked how Gov. Matheson viewed the system, he said: "I've asked numerous times where he (the governor) is coming from. I just don't know. I think what he's doing is just politics." Cedar City businessman Dave Evans told Hawkins, "in my hometown, most - of the people are pro-MX, I would say," then asked him "do you know where the anti-MX sentiment is coming from?" In response, Hawkins said he feels anti-MX groups comprise a small portion of the population, and that "in Utah, much of the anti-MX sentiment is coming from the University of Utah. :"l'he Deoole who are uninformed about MX are the people who are against MX," he concluded. John Maxey, president of the Milford Business Association, then explained the April trip to Washington, telling the group all four members of the Utah Congressional delegation had agreed to meet with them and that Secretary Weinberger "had just confirmed to us today his intention to meet with us." Maxey also encouraged supporters of the MX to write "at least five letters a week" to selected officials in Washington. "They are getting plenty of the other point of view," he said. "They need to get ours." The business president said the rally had been decided upon in an "emergency meeting" of his group just a week ago. "At that time we were told the chances of having the MX deployed in Utah and Nevada, and having an operating base located nearby, were rapidly dwindling. We decided to do something fast." Maxey did not indicate where that information had been received from. Karl Macfarlane, former assistant mayor of Ogden, was the final rally speaker. "I understand you're concerned about the possible impact of MX," Macfarlane said. "The impact in Utah and Nevada need not be negative; it can be an opportunity." Macfarlane continued: "There ft. no question what Hill Air Force Base and Defense Depot Ogden have done to contribute to our community. You would enjoy having the military clo.se to vou." |