HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-20-2005 Response to Gov. Daniels Letter Regarding Indiana’s Time Zone Changes 5uL17H!!F
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Office of the Mayor
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR STEPHEN J. LUECKE
For Release
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
4:15 pm
Response to Gov. Daniels Letter Regarding Indiana's Time Zone Changes
"I believe that Governor Daniels is missing a unique opportunity to put
Indiana in one time zone. In his letter to Secretary Mineta, Governor Daniels
stated: "Obviously, one time zone statewide would be ideal, but this goal has
proven unattainable." Rather, I believe that it has been left untried. With strong
leadership, the Governor achieved the goal of having Hoosiers observe Daylight
Savings Time. With a similar effort he could help move the entire state to Central
Time. Let's not leave the job half done. It was reported during the campaign that
the Governor favored Central Time for the entire state. I urge him now to support
Sen. Heinold's bill to place the state on Central Time —or, to call for a statewide
referendum which would give our citizens a voice in this issue. Our county would
strongly support that effort. Furthermore, officials in Elkhart County have stated
that Central Time would be acceptable if it were statewide. So, there is another
way to keep our region on one time —and it would have the additional benefit of
keeping more Hoosiers together. Even if one allows for counties in southeastern
Indiana to remain on Eastern Time, over 95% of the state would be on the same
time (compared to just 80% under the Governor's current proposal). Shouldn't we
be going for an A, rather than settling for a B-?
St. Joseph County went through a comprehensive process to listen to both
residents and businesses. During public hearings, there was overwhelming support
for Central Time. I ask the Governor to let the people of this state have a voice in
this issue. When I made arguments for Central Time, based on economic strengths
in the region, and on the type of jobs that we want to grow here, I believed that
those arguments were valid not only for St. Joseph County and our region, but also
for the entire state. In his letter to Secretary Mineta, the Governor has taken the
easy approach to resolving the time zone debate in our region, but it doesn't show
appreciation for the complexity of the issue, nor does it strive for a win-win-win
solution. Most people agree that this area should be on one time (they would also
like to see the state on one time). However, depending on how one defines our
region—four counties, six, nine or twelve counties, it truly is not achievable on a
county by county basis. For example, placing St. Joseph County on Eastern Time
still keeps us separate from LaPorte County. Further, it denies Marshall, Fulton,
Pulaski and others their desire to be on Central Time. So, rather than abandon ten
counties across the state that have petitioned to change their time zone, let's unite
the State on the one time that makes sense —Central Time."
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications& Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564