No easy answer for time (4/3/04)

Smart politicians know it’s the simple-looking issues that can kill you.

Just ask the folks who proposed — for the umpteenth time — that Indiana adopt Daylight Savings Time.

On its face, the idea looks simple and makes sense. There are convincing economic reasons why Indiana ought to be in synch with its neighbors. And the two groups which used to be most vocal in lobbying against Daylight Savings Time — drive-in movie theatre owners and dairy farmers — don’t have the political clout that they used to.

The devil, of course, is in the details.

If the state went with Daylight Savings Time, would it march in unison with Ohio and neighbors to the east or with Chicago and the west?

Would the time zone dividing line split the state or follow state borders? And how would change-resistant Hoosiers adjust to the new time rules?

Though the idea looks pretty simple on the surface, it managed to arouse some passionate opinions when the Indiana General Assembly floated the idea.

And so, on Sunday, our friends and neighbors in Mercer and Darke counties will join the rest of Ohio by moving their clocks forward.

And, once again, Jay County and Fort Recovery will struggle with missed appointments and schedule complications.

It’s a headache, but it’s a headache we’re used to. And it’s one we suspect will be with us for years to come. — J.R.

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