| Close Window |
| What the commissioners say Journal and Courier Staff Reports The Journal and Courier asked a county commissioner in Tippecanoe and nine nearby counties what they think of changing time zones. Here are some of their comments: Tippecanoe (Eastern) * KD Benson: "We are informally gathering opinions to see if there is an overwhelming trend to go Eastern or Central." She said many residents seem to prefer the Central time zone. "I have been responding, 'Will your opinion change if Indianapolis stays Eastern, because we do more business with Indianapolis than Chicago?' So that sometimes will affect it." She said it's her understanding that for Tippecanoe County to adopt Central time, the federal government would likely require that it border a county in that zone, which it now doesn't. Tippecanoe County could, though, if Benton or White counties received approval to change to Central time. Benton (Eastern) * Mel Budreau: He said he plans to bring up the question of time zones at a meeting on July 25, which is primarily being held to let officials discuss the Benton County comprehensive plan. He said commissioners will seek advice from county residents and use that to "let the state know where we stand." "We need to find out from all involved which time zone we choose," he said. Carroll (Eastern) * Bill Brown: "We want to make sure, if possible, we are on the same time zone as Tippecanoe and Howard counties. Now, if somehow they were thrown into two different time zones, we'd be in trouble, because our people -- so many of them work in those two counties. The only way we would take any action on this is if we were in peril of being separated from our neighbors." Clinton (Eastern) * Bernie Newhart: "Nobody's come in and said a thing about it, but now I guess we'll have to go one way or the other. I think the whole state needs to be one way or the other, and I would prefer to set up the clocks ahead an hour. We were up two weeks ago in Minnesota fishing, and it didn't get dark until 10:30. And I really enjoyed that." Fountain (Eastern) * David Ziegler: "I'd love to keep it like it is," without daylight-saving time, he said. "But if they can't do that, I'd like to go to Central time like Illinois, because we are on the west end of (Indiana) and we can't change the way the sun comes up." Jasper (Central, with exceptions) * Kendell Culp: While most Jasper County residents observe Central Daylight Time, setting their clocks ahead each spring, residents in the Tri-County and West Central schools districts observe Eastern Standard Time. The issue of changing time zones will be discussed at the next commissioners meeting Aug. 1. "It would be great for all of Jasper County to be on the same time zone. But it's not as simple as what Jasper County wants but what the counties surrounding Jasper County want to do." Montgomery (Eastern) * Bill McCormick: "There hasn't been much more than coffee shop talk. As far as the other two commissioners and myself talking about it, we really haven't discussed it at all. We have too many other things on our plate right now. I try to keep personal feelings out of my governmental decisions, and I would like to poll my constituents to see what they said." Newton County (Central) * Russell Collins: "It's kind of hard in our county. The south half would rather be with Lafayette and the top half would rather be in Chicago. So it will be a controversial issue. I met with the South Newton School Corporation and they would rather be with Lafayette. I would prefer to get the whole state on the same time. My preference would be Central time for the whole state." Warren (Eastern) * Jim Lanham: "A lot of people have asked me about it. I didn't want any change to start out with. A lot of people go across the border to Illinois, and they don't want to see a drastic effect. I really haven't made my mind yet. But if you serve people in an area, it's kind of what they want. It's what you're supposed to go with." White (Eastern) * John Heimlich: He said some type of meeting to let county residents discuss the issue will probably be held in the future. People have come forward at previous commissioners meetings "to lobby for Central time for White County." "It would be my guess that the county consensus would be to go Central," he said. Compiled by: Phillip Fiorini, Dan Shaw and Curt Slyder How to reach them * Tippecanoe County commissioners: 423-9215 * Benton County commissioners: (765) 884-1687 * Carroll County commissioners: (765) 564-2060 * Clinton County commissioners: (765) 659-6309 * Fountain County commissioners: (765) 793-2243 * Jasper County commissioners: (219) 866-4933 * Montgomery County commissioners: (765) 361-2623 * Newton County commissioners: (219) 474-6081 * Warren County commissioners: (765) 762-3275 * White County commissioners: (574) 583-4879 |
| Close Window |