Time zone debate thrown to counties

The bell is now tolling a different tune in the time zone debate.

The U.S. Department of Transportation told Gov. Mitch Daniels that if Indiana's 77 counties that do not now observe daylight saving time want to change time zones, they must individually notify the agency and provide specific information justifying a change.

An initial request from Daniels to conduct hearings had been more open-ended, and one request sent in June recommended that hearings take place in eight to 10 of the state's largest cities.

"After reviewing the requested and supporting data, we will determine which requests, if any, justify the issue of an NPRM (notice of proposed rulemaking)," said the letter was dated Friday but released publicly by the governor's office on Monday.

In the past, data requested in time zone matters has included information on why a change would help business, where area businesses get their supplies, and where the television and radio signals it receives originate.

"Once justified, we will issue the NPRM, which will solicit public comment and will schedule public hearings," the letter said. "After the close of the comment period, we will review all communications and take appropriate final action."

Some local lawmakers see the possibility that the area may be broken into different time zones.

"One of my concerns is that we stay the same as a region and that certainly is what I would like to see," said Sen. Marvin Riegsecker, R-Goshen. "As far as I'm concerned, Elkhart County is in the Eastern time zone, and that's where I'd like it to stay."

Cindy Bodle, a St. Joseph County commissioner, said the letter from the Department of Transportation further confuses the situation.

"We were told to follow the process, holding town hall meetings, chatting with the people," she said. "We thought we had to petition the governor, but now the governor really isn't part of the process."

The next step for the commissioners, Bodle said, is to begin discussing the situation among themselves, then take their findings to a four-county coalition. St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, and Kosciusko counties agreed in June to the principle of remaining in the same time zone.

Mike Yoder, an Elkhart County commissioner, said he and his colleagues began discussing how to gauge the public's opinion on the issue last week.

"Based on the phone calls I've been getting, I think there's more public support for Central," said Yoder.

State Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Lakeville, said that the decision gives confirmation to what she and some of her colleagues have thought all along.

"I think this is really good -- the more input the better," said Walorski. "We want local officials involved. In some of these counties, a lot of elected officials have been dragging their feet, and now they have to get off the fence."

Recent surveys by chambers of commerce have found that businesses in St. Joseph County prefer Central time, while those in Elkhart County prefer Eastern time. That's a red flag that will soon be raised to residents, and may split up the region.

"St. Joe and Elkhart counties may be the dividing line. Right now, St. Joe wants Central," said Yoder. "We've got a decision to make."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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