The commissioners and council members vote for Eastern time.

County residents voice their opinions

Earlier in January, the D.O.T. had ruled that Pulaski County would join Indiana’s northwest counties in the Central time zone, making it one of 18 of Indiana's 92 counties observing Central time with Chicago year-round.

Pulaski County officials last year had joined neighboring counties in requesting Central time, but the D.O.T. placed Benton, White, Carroll, Cass, St. Joseph, Marshall, Fulton, Vermillion and Lawrence counties in the Eastern zone, leaving Pulaski County largely isolated from most of it surrounding counties.

At Monday morning's session, Commissioner Mike Tiede said his mail had been running 95 percent in favor of Eastern time, and it was immediately apparent that those present at the meeting were of like mind. Of those who expressed a preference for Central time, most said that would be the appropriate time for Indiana as a whole.

Speaking in favor of Eastern time, Harve Gutwein, a Francesville businessman, said, "The last time I looked at a map, Indianapolis was our capital, not Chicago. If the majority here want Eastern time with the majority of the state, then I hope this meeting succeeds in its purpose."

Linda Webb of Pulaski Memorial Hospital told the joint session that isolating Pulaski County in Central time could "jeopardize the availability of medical specialists who come to the county to provide services" and harm citizens' health care access. Roger Cummings of Alliance Bank also spoke in favor of Eastern time for the purpose of facilitating business with its branch banks and Indianapolis. Stan Werner of Pulaski-White Rural Telephone Company described the difficulties of serving customers in two counties on different time zones.

Crowds of citizens overflow outside the commissioners' room, down the stairway and into the courthouse lobby.

County probation officer Deb Widup spoke in favor of Eastern time, pointing out her office coordinates its activities through Indianapolis and Cass County. Dr. Robert Klitzman, superintendent of Eastern Pulaski Community Schools also favors Eastern time because of students who live in neighboring Fulton County (Kewanna) and for scheduling vocational school classes in Logansport, and extracurricular activities with neighboring schools.

Randy Fox of Winamac expressed a preference for Eastern time, pleading that Pulaski County "not be put on on island ... we need to be in sync with those around us." He also voiced the opinion of many that all of Indiana should be on one time.

Bud Cummins of Medaryville agreed. "I had the assumption the governor would put the whole state on the same time."

Last year Gov. Mitch Daniels lobbied extensively for the legislation that created Daylight-saving Time for all of Indiana, saying it would eliminate confusion and boost commerce. It gained final legislative passage by a single vote in the House. But he left the decisions on time zone placement to individual counties and the D.O.T.

Willis Gudeman of Francesville charmed the crowd when he expressed his dismay about the governor making an issue of Indiana's unique time observances. "I thought it went pretty smooth before he came along," he said to cheers and applause. "I'm a Republican and I voted for him," he added. "I don't know how many politicians I'm upsetting. I don't want to hurt anyone. We're nice people in Indiana. Let's have one time for Indiana."

The commissioners and council were presented with letters (mostly in favor of Eastern time) and petitions for Eastern time which will be submitted to the D.O.T., along with their resolution requesting Eastern time. "We're confident that the D.O.T. will read our information and make the switch," said councilman Sam Frain.

The county officials were challenged, however, by an audience member who said, "If we can do this with the blessing of the D.O.T, great. But if not, why can't our local government go its own way?" His comments received cheers. He was told that he was anticipating the commissioners' and council's plans to discuss home rule later in the meeting.

Both Frain and Tiede remarked that they had been assured by state officials that home rule was a legal option.

The local officials also faced some disgruntlement from the crowd about the inconvenient time of the joint session, and the location in a room too small to facilitate those wishing to attend and participate.

Impact of Eastern Time

One of the largest impacts of Eastern time in Pulaski County will be on the residents of Rich Grove Township whose students attend North Judson-San Pierre Schools in Starke County which will be an hour behind them. There are also many businesses in the county which prefer Central time because of their connection to Chicago and other cities northwest and west.

Under Eastern time, Pulaski County will be on the same time as Culver, Plymouth, Rochester, Logansport, Monticello, South Bend, Lafayette and Indianapolis year-round, but an hour ahead of Rensselaer, Knox, LaPorte and Valparaiso.

In the Eastern time zone, Pulaski County residents will observe the same winter hours as they have been used to. But they will gain an hour of evening sunlight in the summer, with darkness falling about 10 p.m.

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