Local phone numbers could change

The telephone area code to thousands of residents could be changing. The 315 area code spans across 18 counties, and that could be why assigned numbers are expected to run out by 2010. But the public service commission, who assigns numbers, says they need to start planning for the change now.

Some “315ers” say they don’t want that to happen. To a lot of Wayne County residents, the 315 area code identifies who they are as a community.

“There's a lot of people out there proud to be 315ers," said Mike Obine of Williamson.

Changing the area code could become a headache. At Cam’s Pizzeria in Williamson, workers, like Obine, say any change to the phone number may confuse customers and the delivery guys.

“You have to clarify what you're getting on your orders and make sure you get the right numbers,” Obine said.  “It's already hard enough as it is with all the cell phones."

Not to mention changes businesses will have to make to signs or flyers.

And it’s likely numbers in Williamson would be changed. That’s because the town is on the outskirts of a huge area. About 150 miles to the east, people in the cities of Syracuse and Utica and all points in between have 315 numbers. It also extends through some of the Adirondacks all the way up to the Canadian border town of Massena.

That brings out another concern in Williamson. A change in area code could turn what were once local calls into long distance.

“If you're poor like I am, it definitely would not be a good thing,” said Elizabeth Lerch, “because I can't afford to pay long distance."

And of course, there’s the problem of updating all those contacts in cell phones.

“Yes it's annoying and you have to change everything,” said Linda Pearson, “but I guess if that's the way it's going to be, I'm not happy about it."