MORRIS: Let’s keep our long summer evenings

I love this time of year as we observe daylight saving time and turn our clocks ahead an hour in our Eastern time zone. Winter hasn’t wanted to let go, but we know spring and then summer are just around the corner.

I can’t wait until late May, June and almost all of July, when sunset is after 9 p.m. every day. And because some light lingers after sunset, some days in late June—while having an official sunset time of 9:17—will seem light until 9:45 or so. On those days, you can impress your boss and work past 6, go home and change clothes, catch a quick dinner, and still get at least nine holes or more of golf in! Life is good.

Maybe you want to take the boat out for a spin and have dinner and an adult beverage at the lakeside restaurant and watch the sunset. Or you might be behind on your yardwork and the extra light means you’ll be able to catch up before the weekend so you can leave that open for fun. There are hundreds of great activities that make you feel more alive as the extra light helps you extend your day.

I’ve been selfish with personal thoughts so far and haven’t even gotten into the business benefits of observing daylight saving time and being in the Eastern time zone. Just talking about this reminds me of the old “What time is it in Indiana?” controversy we argued about for years.

Of course, IBJ covered this topic, but it made national news also. I found an old New York Times article from January 2001 chronicling the fight. On one side were those who sought to protect the traditional agricultural economy, folks with a “stubborn independence streak” who liked the status quo. On the other side were business and technology company leaders who wanted change. Scott Jones and Interactive Intelligence co-founder John Gibbs were quoted in the article representing the tech company leaders fighting for change here.

As a refresher, in case you’ve slept since then, the General Assembly finally passed a bill in 2005 requiring Indiana to observe daylight saving time. It took effect Jan. 1, 2006. Then-Gov. Mitch Daniels petitioned the U.S. Department of Transportation to determine boundaries in Indiana between Eastern (New York) and Central (Chicago) time zones. The short version is that the feds punted and said it was the state’s job to make that determination.

And so, we continue to have Eastern time in most of the state as we have for decades. Today, 80 of 92 counties are on Eastern time and 12 are on Central time. This is the right call on multiple levels and we should stick to a good plan.

However, as with most disputes, the fight never ends. It simmers just under the surface until an opportunity arises to give the cause another try. This year is no different regarding the time-zone controversy. The Indiana Central Time Coalition has been out in force urging legislators to restore the entire state to Central time. Do we have to keep talking about this? Do we really want it to be pitch black at 4:30 in the afternoon on a winter day here in Indy, like it is in northwestern Indiana?

Where I described my excitement with the extended evening light in the upcoming months, the Central Time Coalition has different thoughts. Their description of the experience for Indiana residents living in the Eastern time zone springing forward is that sunrise is shifting from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., plunging all of us back into morning darkness.

The coalition does point out one valid concern expressed about safety for students getting to school in the morning hours of darkness. I see that. But I don’t buy into the group’s other reasons to change time zones. If you care to read more about the Central Time Coalition’s point of view, you can find their website at www.hoosiersforcentraltime.org.

State Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Hendricks County, is sponsoring a resolution that calls for a legislative study committee to examine the benefits of Indiana’s Eastern and Central time zones. I urge legislators not to waste their time talking about time until the end of time.

So, be happy. Winter is ending. We’re springing forward toward spring and summer. Go to bed early now if you want to rest. Then you can stay up late and enjoy your summer evenings in extended daylight.•

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Morris is publisher of IBJ. His column appears every other week. To comment on this column, send email to gmorris@ibj.com.