EDITORIAL: Commission must rethink new area code
OUR VIEW: Overlay method would save millions of dollars
By The North County Times Opinion staff | ∞
We admire the rebel spirit and creative drive of Leucadia resident Scott Chatfield, who recently launched a "don't change my 760 area code" campaign.
What's attractive about his opposition to a new area code in North County is a sound compromise: In lieu of an outright change that will collectively cost area businesses, school districts and local governments millions of dollars, he has put forward what he terms "the overlay option."
On April 24, when the California Public Utilities Commission voted 4-1 to carve most of North County east to Julian and Borrego out of the 760 telephone area code, it clearly didn't give the overlay option due consideration.
Instead, the politically appointed commission made it mandatory that voluntary use of the new 442 area code begin on Oct. 24, with mandatory implementation on April 24.
An "overlay" allows the commission to attach the new 442 area code to any phone numbers handed out after Oct. 24 while allowing everyone else to continue using the 760 area code.
The simplicity of this suggestion insists on a reconsideration by the commission.
The April 24 vote, with only Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon voting in opposition, was cast with minimal public counsel and without consideration of the costs.
Meanwhile, Chatfield is waging a common-sense campaign and has received more than 800 hits on his Web site: Keep760@org.
Regarding public advice, we must note that the commission closed its San Diego office last year. Thus, if any business owner, chamber of commerce representative or school official wanted to file a formal complaint about this wrong decision, they'd have to go to Sacramento.
We hope commissioners will remember to serve the public in this case and reconsider the overlay option.
Call: (415) 703-1366 or write: CPUC, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102.
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Carolyn wrote on Jun 12, 2008 6:25 PM:Let us keep 760 where itis and use the "overlay system that makes MUCH more sense. What Are they thinking?
Scorpion wrote on Jun 16, 2008 7:47 AM:You guys are crazy. Overlays are AWFUL. Take it from someone who used to live with one. Not only do you have to dial the area code with EVERY number (even those in your same area code), but you have to dial a 1 with some of them, and not with others. And just try to figure out which ones are which. Half the time you guess wrong and get that automated "We're sorry but it not necessary to dial a 1..." message (or it's counterpart that it IS necessary)and have to dial again. Changing area codes is a royal pain, but trust me, overlays are much worse!
Bill wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:29 AM:I agree with Scorpion 1000% Changing an Area Code is only inconvinent for a short time. New stationary is going to happen reguardless of the Area Code change. Everyone has to print new stationary some time. Dialing ELEVEN Digits for the rest of your life is NUTS. We should be grateful to the CPUC for thier Decision.
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