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Show Reaction to MX decision mostly favorable in area Elected leaders and citizens sigh in relief most impact if the system had been deployed in the area, and, according to Sawyers, that impact would have been extremely . adverse if the recently proposed scaled down version had been approved. Under such a version, Iron County-would County-would feel the negative impacts of growth and construction, but would receive none of the positive impacts of a base in the County and the permanent Air Force personnel who would man such. "I support the President. I've always felt like this deployment was not feasible,''' concurred Iron County Commission Chairman Dee Cowan. Although he termed himself only a moderate conservationist, he also said he would have "hated to see that entire desert tprn up that way." The County has also been lukewarm to the proposed system, but has never really fought it, but, like Cedar City, has insisted upon impact mitigation funds. Arlene Braithwaite, who has been active in the Southern Utah MX Coalition was more than just happy about the decision. "We're very thrilled that he dropped the MPS system," she said. "I'm certain a lot of Southern Utahns will be relieved that it's not in our backyard." The Coalition also released an official statement concerning the decision. It said in part: "We've learned two important im-portant lessons from this experience. First, the principles of our democracy are still viable and an individual can influence decisions that will affect him. Second, our viewpoint has broadened and we are acutely aware that nuclear weapons are a global problem. "We hope that President Reagan's strong efforts at nuclear arms reduction will be successful. It is the most critical issue the world faces today." In addition, most citizens of the area seemed to be very happy about the decision. Frank Petty said that he was pleased with the way things went, noting that there are better ways to improve the economy of the area than with MX. However, others disagreed with that idea, thinking that the system could have given an economic boost to the area. Ward Spendlove of Cedar City said "We are in a depression and needed it to boost our economy, although no one seems to care about that." Rowena Evans, also of Cedar City agreed. She felt like the system would have done Cedar City a lot of good, although she did express concern about the water supply for it. Yet the vast majority of the people seemed to agree with the thinking of Francis Prescott of Cedar City, who. when asked about how he felt about the decision, said, simply: "relieved." By BRUCE LEE Hecord Editor Reactions in Iron County to President Reagan's announcement Friday that the MX missile system will not be deployed in Utah were almost entirely favorable. "I'm supportive of his decision. I feel like Cedar City will be better served by some stable, small industries right now," said Cedar City Mayor Jack Sawyers after he heard the announcement. an-nouncement. "I really believe that national defense and, of course, our local economy would be better served by this decision." "Actually this will make it easier to draw businesses and industry to town," he added. "If we're going to do anything, we need to do it ourselves." the Cedar City Council has gone on record in the past as opposing the deployment in multiple protective structures in the deserts of Utah and Nevada, but has never really strongly objected to the proposal. i Cedar City was predicted as the city in Utah that would probably feel the |