Time zone meeting in Jasper reflects mixed feelings over Central or Eastern

By LEONARD THORNTON, Times-Mail

BEDFORD - The third of four hearings on switching time zones in Indiana took place in Jasper Wednesday with Lawrence County Commissioners David Flinn and Bill Spreen in attendance.

Most of the 200 attendees seemed to support Central time.

“I agree most of the people (at the meeting) were in favor of Central time, but industry was not,” Flinn said.

“I don't care one way or the other. I just believe it shouldn't be split up. The whole state should be either Central or Eastern.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation, which sets the time zone lines, is conducting the public hearings to gather input.

County officials were asked to make recommendations to the federal agency. Flinn said he disagreed with that process.

“This should never have been put in the hands of the counties,” Flinn said. “This should be a state thing, or the federal government. But this should not have been left up to the commissioners.”

The time zone has long been a southern Indiana topic, but the debate intensified after Gov. Mitch Daniels pushed through a law moving all of Indiana to daylight-saving time.

Many Dubois County residents support a switch to Central time, but Jasper's mayor said at the hearing that he supports Eastern time. The mayor said he had been approached by local businesses and industries, most notably, Kimball International and Jasper Engine Exchange who favor Eastern time.

“This has divided our county severely,” said Barbara Mathies, the southwestern Indiana county's Democrat vice chairwoman.

“Dubois County is really in a pickle,” Flinn said. “They are torn between the schools and industry. Some adjoining counties have said if Dubois doesn't get it (Central), they don't want it.”

It was previously recommended by the transportation department that Knox, Perry and Pike counties be moved to Central time, while Dubois, Sullivan, Daviess and Lawrence counties remain on Eastern time.

There is one more meeting scheduled from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday at the Student Activity Center, Indiana University-South Bend. The final decision is scheduled to be made in January.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.