Kuehl to Host Forum on Area Code Overlay
State Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) today will host a discussion of the controversial area code overlay slated for the 310 region.
The planned overlay area code--424--has sparked a near-revolt among legislators and residents who want to derail further area code changes in the West Los Angeles and South Bay regions currently covered by 310.
Bowing to the mounting protests, regulators at the California Public Utilities Commission last month agreed to postpone the July 17 introduction of 424 pending further review.
The current plan, set in motion two years ago, calls for the new 424 code to serve the same geographic region covered by 310. Under the two-code plan, callers must dial 11 digits (1 plus the area code then the phone number) on each phone call, even those within the same area code.
PUC Commissioner Henry Duque and several PUC staff members will attend today’s meeting, along with Kuehl and Santa Monica Mayor Pam O’Connor.
The town hall meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium’s east wing, 1855 Main St. There will be a brief status report on the area code plan and then the meeting will be opened to questions from the public.
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