The Hatfields were practically starving when they started their dealership 25 years ago, Gloria Hatfield said. Over the years, she said, they've built up their business on reputation and honesty. She said truckers from Canada to California stop at their shop for repairs, and those truckers also frequent the nearby businesses that could be edged out by the I-15 Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

"That's our bread and butter," she said.

Bills said Payson collected nearly $82,000 from such businesses last year. The proposed change would hurt those businesses and permeate through the rest of the community, he said.

"It affects a lot of people," he said.

Bills said city staffers planned to meet with UDOT officials in early December but they had to cancel because Bills underwent knee surgery. He said they hope to reschedule a meeting to find a solution that fits with UDOT's master plan and protects Payson's businesses.

Dupaix said UDOT has received 300 comments from the public on the I-15 Draft Environmental Impact Statement, and he said UDOT plans to review and respond to each of them, including Bills' letter.

Hatfield said she hopes UDOT and Payson find a satisfactory resolution to the issue. She and her husband aren't ready to close their dealership.

"I would fight my guts out," she said. "It's imperative our business remains there."

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E-mail: jdana@desnews.com