Thursday, June 01, 2000
Opinions on area codes get airing
PUCO to hold public meeting on issue tonight
By Michael D. Clark
The Cincinnati Enquirer
UNION TOWNSHIP — Telephone users with opinions about Southwest Ohio's 513 area code are invited to attend a public meeting tonight, hosted by state officials.
At 7 p.m. officials from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) will hold the first of two public meetings in Greater Cincinnati to help determine the region's future area codes. State Rep. Gary Cates, R- Union Township, who will be host of the PUCO meeting at Lakota West High School at 8940 Union Centre Boulevard in Butler County, said high demand for new phone number exchanges means there eventually will be hange within the 513 area code.
Public comment will be considered by the five-member PUCO in its decision regarding the 513 area code change, which is scheduled to be made in September.
The 513 area code serves at least portions of nine counties: Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Clinton, Greene, Montgomery, Warren, Preble and Butler.
PUCO members are con sidering two plans. The first, known as the overlay plan, means a new area code is layered on top of the existing area code in the same geographic area. Such an adjustment will require callers to dial 10 digits for local calls.
The second option is a geographic split plan that would separate the existing area code into two distinct but smaller geographic areas.
One area would be assigned the new area code while one would retain 513.
Tonight's meeting is the first of two; the second is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 8 in council chambers of Cincinnati City Hall, at 801 Plum St., downtown.
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