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Show Garfield Survey Shows Residents Like Reagan Residents of Garfield County like federal spending cuts, James Watt and just about everything Pres. Reagan is doing, according to a recent survey taken by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. The poll was taken during a town meeting Hatch held in Panguitch on Aug. 11. Although it is non-scientific, it does reflect the views of a significant number of Garfield county residents who attended the meeting. "This survey gives me a sense of what people in Garfield County like about what Congress and President Reagan are doing and what they dislike," said Hatch. "It helps me understand how the people who deal with land issues and other problems think those problems should be solved. It helps me take a 'real-world' perspective back to Washington and helps' me better represent not just Garfield County, but our entire state," On question dealing with land issues, the response of county residents was often onesided. Ninety-five percent approved of the job done by U.S. Secretary of Interior James Watt, and 89 percent said federal lands are better managed under the Reagan Administration than they were previously. Regarding the wilderness proposal drafted by the entire Utah congressional delegation and the governor, most Garfield County respondents agreed that there should be some wilderness, but disagreed about how much. Twenty-four percent preferred less wilderness than the current draft provides, 6 percent wanted more, and 62 percent endorsed the current proposal. This response, which contrasts sharply with the demands for more wilderness made by some 'individuals at hearings across Utah, illusrates the division in the state on the wilderness issue, Hatch said. "This isn't going to be an easy thing to resolve, but hearing from people (Continued on Page 2) Members of fact finding tour group, Commissioner Guy Thompson, Engineer Phillip Leslie, Commissioner George Middleton, Rep, Jim Hansen (R-Utah) and executive assistant Howard Rigtrup, pause along trek through Garfield County to take In the view from atop t-V.tchbackt on the Burr Trail. Survey (Continued from Page 1) in Garfield County will help us come up with a solution that everybody can live with," he said. On economic issues, Garfield County residents backed the president on every question. Asked how the government should reduce federal deficits, 95 percent said by cutting federal spending; only 5 percent preferred increased taxes. One hundred percent favored the balanced budget amendment sponsored by Hatch and endorsed by Reagan, 98 percent approved of President Reagan's handling of the economy and 88 percent said they're more likely to trust the president on economic issues than congress. "So am, I," said Hatch. Ninety-two percent supported President Reagan's handling of defense and national security issues, and the same percentage backed the President's defense modernization programs. On other issues, 84 percent supported U.S. aid to El Salvador and 83 percent opposed the Equal Rights Amendment. |