Scott Chatfield at his home office in Leucadia with the cover page of his website protesting the implimentation of a new area code in North County. (Photo by bill Wechter - staff photographer) Sell
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REGION: Code war -- Leucadia man launches drive to keep 760
By GARY WARTH - Staff Writer | ∞
Scott Chatfield at his home office in Leucadia with the cover page of his website protesting the implimentation of a new area code in North County. (Photo by bill Wechter - staff photographer) 
NCT ENCINITAS ---- As North County prepares for yet another new area code, one Leucadia resident is saying enough is enough.
"It seems arrogant to me that a nonelected body would impose this decision, which will cost millions of dollars," said Scott Chatfield, who has started an online petition drive to ask the Public Utilities Commission to reconsider its April 24 decision to change North County's area code from 760 to 442.
With no publicity so far, about two dozen people have joined him to lobby the commission, he said.
The 442 area code will be introduced in October for Borrego, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, Julian, Oceanside, Pauma Valley, Camp Pendleton, Ramona, San Marcos, Valley Center, Vista, and Warner Springs.
Both the 760 and 442 area codes will coexist until April 2009, then only the 442 area code will work in North County.
Chatfield, who has a background in radio and runs a small recording label, has created the Web site www.Keep760.org to pressure the commission. He doesn't dispute there is a need for more area codes because of a growing population and an increasing number of cell phones, fax machines and other devises.
But he does disagree with the commission's solution to the problem.
Rather than a geographic split, Chatfield prefers an overlay zone that would allow both 760 and 442 area codes. Newer users would get 442 numbers and current users would keep their 760 numbers.
"An area code as a geographic indicator is so 20th-century," he said. "It's a quaint conceit that the PUC is so out of touch about."
Public input
Before making its April 24 decision in San Francisco, the Public Utilities Commission held meetings last February in Carlsbad, Apple Valley, Palm Springs and El Centro.
"I felt blindsided by the decision," said Chatfield, who did not know of the meetings and noted that only one was held in a North County city that stood to lose its area code.
After learning about the area code change, Chatfield said he felt "a swelling indignation." He began asking others how they felt.
"I was surprised at how few people had a clue that this was imminent, and I consider myself an in-tune person," he said.
Of more concern to Chatfield, he said some people who did attend the public hearings may have been misled into supporting an area code change without knowing it. In what he called a loaded question, Chatfield said people were asked if they would prefer keeping an area code for 22 years or for 14 years. Not surprisingly, Chatfield said, most wanted 22 years.
Chatfield wonders if the people who wanted the longer alternative knew it required losing their area code in a year, and a Public Utilities Commissioner who cast the sole dissenting vote shares his doubt.
In a written dissenting opinion, Commissioner Timothy Simon referred to the presentation of alternatives to the public as "pandering to the misguided belief of residents that they will retain the incumbent 760 area code."
Simon preferred an overlay zone rather than a geographic split, an alternative he believed reflected the real desire of residents.
"When I met with parties on both sides of the debate, the singularly resonant message that I heard was: 'Whatever you do, just let me keep my 760 area code!'" he wrote.
The cost of change
What's at stake isn't just updating address books and learning new numbers. For businesses, a new area code means new business cards, reprinting advertisements and contacting important clients and customers, which Simon noted in his dissenting opinion.
"I am concerned that splits place enormous burdens on small businesses and the customers of small businesses, to the extent that those costs must be passed on through higher prices," he wrote.
Heads of two local chambers of commerce share Simon's concern.
"It's a major impact," said Oceanside Chamber of Commerce President David Nydegger, who listed letterheads, business cards and advertisements as expenses that come with new area codes.
"But that's just part of it," he continued. "You also have to contact all of your vendors, and it can be onerous. And if you deal with people on a seasonal basis, one year you're here and another year you don't exist anymore."
Escondido Chamber of Commerce President Harvey Mitchell also said new area codes are costly.
"It's going to cause a huge problem with our business community," he said.
Both Mitchell and Nydegger said they did not know about the local public hearing on the change.
"Nothing appeared on my radar screen until a day or two before it occurred," Nydegger said. "They said they did workshops, but they didn't notify us. I don't think they did as good an outreach job as they possibly could have."
Mitchell said the Escondido Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter to the commission asking to keep 760 in North County, but the commission may not have received the letter before its final vote because the chamber learned about the issue so late.
He also questioned the logic behind forcing a new area code on densely populated North County rather than the sprawling, less-populated area to the east and north.
"It seems like we're the ones who end up taking it on the chin each time," he said. "We used to have 619. Then we lost our 619. Then we had 760, and we lose that."
Nydegger said he has had four area codes since moving to Oceanside in 1945.
Area codes were introduced in North America in 1947, when California was assigned 213 for Southern California, 415 for Central and Northern California and 916 for north of Sacramento.
The 714 area code served San Diego County from 1951 to 1980, when 619 was introduced. The 760 area code was introduced in March 1997.
The 858 area code was introduced in June 1999 for coastal communities Del Mar, La Jolla, Poway, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach and inland Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Scripps Ranch, Carmel Mountain Ranch and Sabre Springs.
Chatfield's Web site asks people to sign a letter and forward it the commission and to county and state officials.
The e-mail reads: "As you know, the CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission) recently voted to remove our area from the 760 area code. I think they made a mistake; an area code overlay makes the most sense and inconveniences the fewest people. In addition, I was unaware of this decision until after it was made.
"Please use your influence as my elected representative to compel the CPUC to change its decision. Thank you!"
Contact staff writer Gary Warth at (760) 740-5410 or gwarth@nctimes.com.
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kay wrote on Jun 5, 2008 1:46 PM:brilliant! i'm glad someone is stepping up and speaking out against changing 760. an area code change like this in a densely populated area is a horrible idea. the amount of money that will be lost by small business owners, the work that will need to go into dealing with the change--it's not going to be pretty. especially with the economy tanking already. and that fact that this decision was made with little to no input from the residents in the area? that's crazy. i'm sending that letter right now.
Max Headroom wrote on Jun 5, 2008 1:48 PM:Whatever you do,don't let this guy talk you into an overlay zone. They are a major hassle. You have to dial an area code with EVERY number you dial, even your next-door neighbor's, but the worst part is that sometimes you have to dial a 1 before the area code and sometimes you don't, and you never know which ones. (If you know the place is close by, you don't need one, but if you don't know where it is, you just have to guess. It is an incredible frustration!) Get them to change their mond about who keeps 760 if you can, but DON'T ask for an overlay zone, whatever you do!
Richard wrote on Jun 5, 2008 3:37 PM:Why are we losing the 760? Every other time a small area has split from the larger code, (like 714, 619, etc) the smaller area has kept the original code and the vast area from el centro to Bishop has changed. Why are we getting the new code. Does Palm Springs really have more clout than we do?
To Max Headroom wrote on Jun 5, 2008 9:31 PM:To Max Headroom: with the large number of people who now do most of their dialing on cell phones, it's no issue. Almost every call I make, to friends or family or co-workers, is programmed into my phone, so I don't actually wind up dialing any area code at all. But this is still an inconvenience for many other reasons that you didn't think to mention.
Sign me up wrote on Jun 5, 2008 10:51 PM:Glad to hear this. I will sign up and would like to help spread the word. Resident in Escondido
think a little larger wrote on Jun 6, 2008 12:01 AM:changing an area code is not a big deal. but dialing more numbers with each and every local call isn't cool. plus, the guy in the article pretty much admits the switch is a done deal. quit wasting your time and speak up to your elected officials about more important things.
Max wrote on Jun 6, 2008 12:06 AM:I don't like this one bit. I agree with others who say that we are the larger region, we should'nt have to change. The smaller areas should change. And I like the idea that any new customers to the area, those should be assigned the new area code. This whole thing seems very underhanded, it came out of nowhere, and is trying to quietly sneak into our area. I don't like that, this cunning attitude, it is very deceptive. There has to be a public outcry, they need to tell the public that this is being proposed, long before they just go ahead and do it. I favor the overlay idea, it seems to make more sence than just changing thousands of numbers.
SIGN ME UP BUDDY wrote on Jun 6, 2008 3:17 AM:DAMN SKIPPY!! SEVEN SIX O IS ALREADY KNOW IN NORTH COUNTY..442??WTF! 760 IS NOT JUST AN AREA CODE...ITS A WAY OF LIFE! LETS KEEP IT THIS WAY.
OCEANSIDE RESIDENT, TRI-CITY TO BE EXACT
John wrote on Jun 6, 2008 6:23 AM:Boycott all area codes, and stick to communicating by e-mail so that way they can't say that "phone numbers are running out"! I agree that the SMALLER COMMUNITIES (all of the Imperial Valley, Palm Springs, Needles, etc.) should have to undergo the change, and not us! I personally think it's the real estate agents behind all this, and trying to make "area codes" (as opposed to zip codes!), there foundation for where housing values go up or down! Can you imagine if ZIP CODES got consolidated? There would be rioting!
Please wrote on Jun 6, 2008 6:48 AM:there are much more important things to try and fix. If you don't like going to the new area code, unplug your phone and go without. This is a private company that needs more numbers because people like you keep moving here. How about a drive to lower gas prices, or open the Delta up again so we can get more water. Even better a drive to stop the hesteria over global warming.
Phil wrote on Jun 6, 2008 6:54 AM:I think politicians should be more concerned about the open border!
I just received my wrote on Jun 6, 2008 7:24 AM:new area code, "666", bummer:(
lady wrote on Jun 6, 2008 7:35 AM:To PLEASE and others on here. IT is our right to keep OUR area code,so SORRY IT is our right to USE our phones that WE pay for!! OF course there are other issues to battle in this WORLD,DUH!! SO let's battle those and leave our area code ALONE. I too AM so glad this is getting some attention!!
I too AM jumping on the "band wagon" too leave our phones ( area code) ALONE!! Newbys should get the NEW code!!
To lady wrote on Jun 6, 2008 8:03 AM:Exactly where do you find the law/admendment/whatever that give you the RIGHT to keep an area code? You don't own the area code ... you're just renting it.
lady wrote on Jun 6, 2008 8:29 AM:SO sorry,wrong wording on my part GET OVER IT. I DO PAY to rent it!!! Just like I PAY to use the internet here,in which I have just emailed EVERYONE the site to KNOW the facts on the " AREA" code change!!!
John wrote on Jun 6, 2008 9:05 AM:Can someone explain how changing 760 to 442 accomplishes something? Maybe I am late ot the conversation but what is the so-called benefit of 442 over 760? Why do they want ot change it?
To John wrote on Jun 6, 2008 9:25 AM:DUH! They are running out of available numbers!
to lady again wrote on Jun 6, 2008 9:30 AM:Sorry, haven't seen that right in the constituition. I think you mean it is a privilage. Also the problem is they are running out of number combinations so they have to do something. If you would read up you would understand. Three numbers is not real hard to memorize. Did you and John vote for Prop 99 also?
What is the area code wrote on Jun 6, 2008 10:08 AM:for 911? I mean I am between two area codes with differnet ambulance & law enforcement how will I know who is responding?
John E wrote on Jun 6, 2008 11:03 AM:"Richard's" post is spot-on. For 60 years, the PUC's consistent strategy has been to let the urban core (Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, Escondido, etc. this time around) keep the same area code, because of the concentration of commercial activity. This is perfectly logical, because it is far more expensive for a business to change its area code than for a resident. The PUC got it backward this time, in violation of its own time-honored policy and contrary to common sense. The current board members evidently do not understand the simple and obvious logic underlying their agency's own traditions.
Carol wrote on Jun 6, 2008 12:03 PM:760 change is certainly not appropriate.
Seems as tho' the balance of 760, out of SanDiegoCounty should be changed. The Desert areas, etc., as they are the ones that are growing. Leave us alone...already we have had changes ...too many times.
its all a lie wrote on Jun 6, 2008 1:20 PM:The reason to change the larger area is so when they auction off the new phone numbers more will be purchased by the telecoms, more money for our wonderfully efficient government. The fact is they are not running out of numbers either, they have already been sold so they have no more to sell. Are you telling me there are TEN MILLION phone numbers being used in SD county? Not even close.
mimpoozio wrote on Jun 6, 2008 1:32 PM:"An area code as a geographic indicator is so 20th-century..."
As a kid I recall the phone numbers in my city- and my guess is the rest of the country did this also- used to be organized with the first few digits in the number indicating which area of the city you lived.
We lived near a prominent body of water. Our phone number was AT4-2317. The "A" and "T" represented the words, "at water."
Good times.
Rbing wrote on Jun 6, 2008 3:44 PM:Our leaders have failed us. The PUC is a political body with 4 of 5 commissioners appointed by our govenator. We in area code 760 have NO political clout! I blame all of our elected leaders. Why should Rep. Bilbray care as his office is in the 858 area? And Supervisor Slater lives in 858. Billdozer Horn, can he offer physical proof that he lobbied for us?
How about all the Mayors, Councilpersons, Chamber of Commerce Presidents and Downtown Merchants, can they also provide proof of efforts to save 760? If not we need a good housecleaning of our leaders. Vote 760 and vote out all of the incumbents that let this happen.
lady wrote on Jun 6, 2008 4:28 PM:I did READ the story ( you need to get the right person on here ) and I do PAY for my rights!! Yes ANYONE can remember 3 numbers,not the problem,having EVERYONE change their area code for HOME/WORK IS way out of line!!! I HAVE lived here 27 years so Iam NOT one that needs TO move,other newbies should THANK YOU. The NEW people getting phone service should GET the NEW area code,DUH!! Make sense!!
Iron Maidens gonna get you wrote on Jun 6, 2008 5:25 PM:I`d like to change it to 666. That would be cool. Whats the big deal? its just a number. I think maybe this guy just wanted his 15 minutes of NCTimes fame.
escondidi wrote on Jun 6, 2008 8:52 PM:No change of 760 for us! I also am glad someone is trying to buck the system and keep our short-lived area code. Not only do we have to change business cards, letterhead, etc, but all of our vendors, relatives and friends have to change also. It just makes sense to have the new subscribers assigned to the 442 area code. BTW I would have sent the letter to our congressional representatives, but there is a parse error and the thing won't work. Let us know when it is fixed.
encinitas gal wrote on Jun 6, 2008 11:59 PM:You Go Scott. So glad SOMEBODY'S doin' something about this. I too was so upset when I read about this area code change and thought, what the...again? Ive been through 2 changes in 14 years. I'm behind ya Scott.
Bloobie wrote on Jun 7, 2008 12:30 AM:Looks like the Keep760... email is fixed now!
Jodie wrote on Jun 7, 2008 1:05 PM:Well this is all good stuff but, let's keep it simple and to the point. We need to start somewhere and keeping our business and residence phone numbers in the densely populated coastal regions at 760, makes the most sense. I think they just screwed up. If we don't follow-up and complain, we will be stuck with their screwed up decision.
Now, to those who want to stick their heads in the sand, and muddy the waters with all else that's going wrong (which means nothing gets done as usual); we need to clean house on both sides of the political isle. I for one, am sick and tired of voting for things that these politcal attorney based geniuses seem to be able to over turn through the courts and supreme court justices.
Whatever happened to the majority and common sense rules?
We need to correct the following fast, or our country is in peril, and it may be to little too late. We are imploding from within.
In order of importance,
1) Change Family Values;
2) Get off our dependency for oil;
3) Close our borders to illegal aliens and tighten up our security;
4) English should always be the spoken language of our country;
5) Build new prisons along our boarders and have the National Guard or some governmental agency patrol their extremities, then;
6) Send all the illegals back to their country of origin.
Notice, I haven't said anything about religion, that's your own personal decision. My only statement is "without it, we are lost".
See what you started Scott!
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