FULTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
PUBLIC HEARING ON TIME ZONE
September 1, 2005, 7:05 P.M., E.S.T., in Assembly Room of the Fulton County Office
Building.
Meeting Called To Order:
Richard A. Powell called this Meeting to Order at 7:05 p.m., E.S.T. Present for this
meeting were Commissioners Richard A. Powell, Roger D. Rose and Leslie R. Walters;
and Denise Bonnell, Fulton County Auditor.
President Richard Powell opened the meeting by explaining that a letter received August
19, 2005, from the Department of Transportation requires that the County Officials
submit their petitions regarding time zone change no later than September 16, 2005.
Eight pieces of information required accompanying the petition for change are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Where do businesses in the community get their supplies and ship their goods.
From where does the community receive its television and radio broadcasts.
Where are the newspapers published that serve the community.
From where does the community get its bus and passenger rail service? If
there is none, to where does the community go to get the service?
Where is the nearest airport or to what major airport does the community go
to?
What percentage of residents of the community work outside of the
community? Where do these residents work?
Where are the major elements of the community’s economy? Is the
community’s economy improving or declining? What federal, state or local
plans, if any, are there for economic development in the community?
If residents leave the community for schooling, recreation, healthcare or
religious worship, what standard of time is observed in the places where they
go for these purposes?
Understanding time zones and how they are established – by Ernie Hiatt
Until 1883 most people used sun time. Then the railroads established 100 time zones
throughout the United States, which didn’t work very well. Then set up four time zones
in the United States. In 1884 a world conference set worldwide time zones. There are
six time zones in the United States and seven in Canada. Fifty years ago Rochester was
on Daylight Savings Time. Then around 30 years ago we were changed to Eastern Time
Zone. Then we went to Eastern Standard Time, then Eastern Daylight Savings Time
which left us two hours and twenty minutes off the sun.
Now our choices are Eastern or Central Standard Daylight Savings Time.
There was a question and answer session with Eric Gutwein.
Carl Adley with Topps Safety Apparel. Mr. Adley said that most of their business is with
the Central Time Zone or further west. Topps preference is Central Time.
Jim Showley with Rochester Sale Barn prefers Central Time Zone. Barry Heazel, Judy
Showley, Peggy Dague, Art Showley and others also voiced their preferences. Most
preferred Central, while a few wanted to be in the Eastern Time Zone.
Mike Busch answered many of the eight questions first presented, noting that most
businesses deal with the Central Time Zone. He named television stations, newspapers,
airports, etc. used by Fulton County residents that are located in the Central Time Zone.
He noted that most residents who work outside of the County go to Marshall and
Kosciusko counties. He said, in reference to the question is the economy increasing or
declining, that it is mixed.
Busch said that of fourteen businesses who responded to the query, all 14 chose the
Central Time Zone. By a show of hands at the meeting, two present preferred the Eastern
Time Zone, while all others wanted the Central Time Zone.
Roger Rose moved to close the public hearing. Leslie Walters seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
Based upon the prevailing sentiment, all of the prevailing direction of the comments, the
economic arguments put forth, Roger Rose moved to recommend to the Federal
Government that Fulton County be moved into the Central Time Zone. Leslie Walters
seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
This concluded the business of this public hearing of the Fulton County Board of
Commissioners. Roger Rose moved to recess this meeting at 8:35 p.m. Leslie Walters
seconded this motion. Motion carried 3-0.
FULTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
___________________________
Richard A. Powell, President
___________________________
Roger D. Rose, Vice-President
___________________________
Leslie R. Walters, Member
Attest:
__________________________________
Denise J. Bonnell, Fulton County Auditor
Note: (tapes of this Commissioners Meeting are filed in the Auditor’s Office).