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A letter from U.S. Rep. Mark Souder recently addressed the U.S. Department of Transportation, urging the rejection of a recent St. Joseph County petition to change to Central Time.
Souder, who represents Kosciusko and Elkhart counties, stressed the importance of keeping the three on one time zone, stating the region is highly integrated and that differing time zones in the area would negatively affect local economic growth.
In general, the Kosciusko County Commissioners agreed with Souder's attempts to keep the state in one time zone, but, much like the overall Indiana zoning dispute, a majority feel indifferent towards Souder's statements.
According to Kosciusko Commissioner Ron Truex, a change in St. Joseph's zoning would not drastically impair Kosciusko's ability to interact socially and economically with the region.
"Ideally, I wish this time zone could have been left on the state line," Truex said. "But a line will always be drawn somewhere and people will learn to adjust accordingly.
"On a daily basis, Kosciusko companies interact with businesses from all over the world on varying time zones; if the South Bend area changes its time, it's only a matter of us adapting to that change."
The idea of being on a coordinate time with Chicago could be the motivating factor in St. Joseph's petition, but Truex believes a large population within St. Joseph work or travel routinely into Michigan as well, which is presently on Eastern Time with Indiana.
Along with Souder's push to remain on Eastern Time, a recent survey by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce also reported that 91 percent of respondents believe St. Joseph and Elkhart counties should remain in the same time zone "due to the nature of the regional economy."
"Honestly, I don't understand the commercial benefits that our governor sees in all this," Truex said. "Of all of the good things (Mitch) Daniels is doing for Indiana, it's too bad this is becoming such a mess."
Fellow County Commissioner Avis Gunter also failed to see a reason as to why so much time and effort was being placed on the time zone issue.
"There are so many other matters in the state that need to be addressed right now. To focus so much attention on this matter - it's truly an unfortunate situation," Gunter said. "We're going to stay where we are and let the chips fall where they must. We never had a different option."
The county commissioners did not petition for Central Time in August after determining that Kosciusko could not meet requirements assigned by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In Souder's letter to the department, he states that "even had (Kosciusko) petitioned, they would have been denied because they fail to meet even minimal criteria for the Central Time Zone."
Because St. Joseph believed it did meet this criteria, a petition has been made for a zoning request, much to Souder's chagrin.
"I tend to agree with Souder's stance on the matter and I hope St. Joseph's will stay with the rest of the state," Commissioner Brad Jackson said. "Though the change would not cause a huge negative impact on (Kosciusko), I can see inconveniences arising."
An hour difference between counties could pose complications to school systems, airport and railroad schedules, and commercial delivery.
"Whatever happens, we'll survive," Truex said.
