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Time issue sent back to state Commissioners won't take action on zoning changes Published: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 -- The Truth Last updated: 8/1/2005 By Trevor Wendzonka Truth Staff GOSHEN -- Keeping away from a decision on Eastern or Central time, the Elkhart County commissioners decided Monday to put the pressure back on state lawmakers. "We strongly believe that Elkhart County's ... economic and commerce ties go beyond our adjacent counties," commissioner Mike Yoder read from a position statement accepted by the three-member board, "and that time zone changes should be considered on a statewide basis. "The commissioners further agree it is poor public policy to create a time zone division in north-central Indiana and will not take actions that will purposefully separate Elkhart County from the majority of counties in this economic region." While the statement was polite, the commissioners feel the issue unfairly was handed to counties and the General Assembly must step up and settle the issue. Commissioner Terry Rodino said lawmakers "created a lot of confusion" by moving the state to daylight-saving time and initiating the time zone debate before knowing the process. And the process is a long one. For example: * Rules for requesting Central time have not yet been published by the federal government; * Counties will need time to compile the necessary economic data; * Commissioners will have to introduce resolutions, possibly have public hearings and then vote; * The U.S. Department of Transportation will review the petition and issue a proposed rule; * The public will have at least 60 days to comment on the rule before it's returned to the feds; and * Federal officials will weigh the evidence and decide. Yoder and Rodino suggested the process could take at least nine months, and really, the clock hasn't even started yet. By suggesting the General Assembly get involved again, the commissioners implied that Central time is not necessarily a bad outcome. Each board member received more than 100 calls and e-mails on the issue, and residents picked Central over Eastern in 60 percent of the responses. For economic development, Yoder said, Central Daylight Time is probably more attractive for businesses connected to both coasts -- just the types of jobs the state wants to recruit. That said, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's position is any additional movement out of Eastern time will "cause the state irreparable harm." Surveys by local chambers support Eastern, and the commissioners added the majority of commuters live or work in Eastern zones -- even if St. Joseph County petitions for Central, as expected. "We encourage those that feel strongly about this issue," the position statement read, "contact their state legislators to request a broader statewide determination of Indiana's time-zone preference." The General Assembly reconvenes in January, about three months before Hoosiers move their clocks forward an hour.

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