Time's on his side

Observer-Reporter
Fri, Nov 12, 1999
C5

BY TERRI T. JOHNSON
THE OBSERVER-REPORTER
ttjohnso@observer-reporter.com

McMURRAY - It's said no man controls time. But Jerry Harbison can, thanks to his new digital clock along Washington Road in Peters Township.

With the push of a remote-control button, Harbison can change the clock's red numerals below his auto service sign just south of the Valley Brook Road intersection.

He can convert to military time, add or delete Celsius to the temperature function and change the brightness.

Harbison has been in the auto service and towing business in Peters Township for almost 40 years and in his current building at 134 Camp Lane for five years, but he's never received as many calls as he has since the clock went up three-and-a-half weeks ago.

"The first call was from Carol Foley from the chamber (of Commerce) thanking me for the clock," Harbison said.

"I had two people bring their cars in who've lived in the township all their lives, but said they never knew I was here, and the sign's been up there for five years."

He's wanted to put up a clock for several years but it took time to find the right one at the right price.

"They can be as high as $12,000, and that's not installed," Harbison said.

He found one - actually two, one on each side of the pole - for $8,000, and along with his son Mike and electrician friend Chris Tatman, installed the clocks on a Sunday morning.

Each side is 4 inches thick, 43 inches wide and 15 inches high and weighs 35 pounds.

While Harbison can control the time and temperature, there probably won't be a need for him to use the remote control.

Each of the units displaying the time and temperature has a computer that is automatically controlled through the air waves, similar to the ones used to display the time on a cellular telephone.

"We opened the box (inside the garage) and turned it on and it was the right time," Mike Harbison said. When daylight-saving time took effect Oct. 31, the clock adjusted automatically.

The display is programmed to change every two seconds, but Harbison can use the remote to change the cycle.

The clock is more than an advertising ploy to the Harbisons.

"Drive from the Liberty Tubes to Washington, and you never really see any clocks," Mike Harbison said. "Or they aren't the right time. I drive up and down Route 19 several times a day, and now I can check the time."

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