'Leave Time Alone!'; Yes to 'Massexit': Patch Readers Rate Time Zone Proposal

A state committee has been tasked with studying the implications of Massachusetts potentially leaving its current time zone, and Patch readers sprung forward to share their thoughts.

Here's the quick recap: a state committee will study the possibility of switching Massachusetts off Eastern standard time, skipping Daylight Savings Time and putting ourselves an hour ahead of surrounding states four months out of every year. One upside is more daylight hours in the winter. One downside is a disconnect from surrounding states.

Read the story in full here: Leave Eastern Time Zone? Massachusetts Legislators Will Consider

Whichever side they fell on, our readers had a strong opinion on the topic.

Here's one of our more passionate commenters, an email-writer who identified herself as Kathie:

"For only 4 months of the year, we'll have to reprogram all our electronics to accommodate the blip in time. I'm not sure I know how to reprogram many of them these days, Do you? They'll have to create yet another app to handle all these changes and learn how to use that app. This will not be for the weak or electronically challenged. ... LEAVE TIME ALONE! WORRY ABOUT WORLD PEACE INSTEAD"

Another commenter, Abigail, expressed similarly practical concerns:

"Only if NH and ME do it with us. I travel there every month. Different time zones would be a big pain. A change for all of New England would be best, but I doubt we could tear Conn. away from NY!"

Maureen F. emailed with the business perspective:

"I think it would create havoc if MA is different from New York City, DC. The huge amount of business, stock market hours and massive numbers of shuttle flights to NYC, DC and trains one hour off in the Northeast corridor. It is mind boggling to think we here in Boston would go it alone to be one hour earlier than all the states in our time zone."

Then again, why not have our fellow states join us? That was the suggestion in an email from reader Diane H., who even proposed a clever catchphrase—"Massexit."

"I, and all of my friends & neighbors I forwarded this to, are VERY SUPPORTIVE OF DISPOSING OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME. I honestly believe Maine, NH, & RI would join with us. Having more daylight at the end of the day has tremendous positive mental and physical health implications. I also think you will find with Massachusetts taking this initiative, it will shortly become a nationwide discussion and consideration."

Commenter "Summer Day" had the same thought:

"It works out west! and if WE do it..maybe the rest will follow. Everyone I know hates turning the clocks back, getting dark at 4 PM, dark before you get home from work, dark before the kids get off the 'late' bus, turning your lights on by 4 PM, ect ect."

For many others who emailed, it was also about traveling during daylight hours. These comments are from Gail V. and Lauraine D., via email:

"It is almost dark when my little girl gets off the school bus. Would be wonderful if there was a bit more light at the darkest time of the year."

"I think it would be good to have daylight for the commute home after work in the winter-time."

The committee appointed to study this question will begin meeting no later than Oct. 1, and will spend the winter assessing the issue, including many of the same questions and concerns mentioned by Patch readers.

In the meantime, we continue to welcome your thoughts and feedback by emailing alison.bauter@patch.com, commenting here, or posting on Facebook.

Thanks to everyone who has reached out so far!