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SUNNY Temp: 51 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 11, 2002 PUC sees need for extended phone service area By SANNE SPECHT for the Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — A local calling area from Rogue River to Medford is one step closer after the Oregon Public Utilities Commission this week recognized a need for the two cities and others in between to communicate cost effectively. The next step is to determine costs and rates for the extended service area, which would allow local calls among Rogue River, Gold Hill, Central Point and Medford exchanges. The decision comes after months of petitioning efforts by Rogue River resident Shayne Maxwell, who gathered 3,800 signatures and obtained a PUC hearing in June. More than 500 people appeared in support of the EAS at the hearing. PUC Administrative Law Judge Michael Grant found that a clear "community of interest" does exist between the Rogue River telephone exchange and its neighboring communities. "Petitioners presented ample evidence that the current long-distance charges between Rogue River and Gold Hill, Central Point and Medford create an artificial barrier that divides the community and restricts access to basic goods and services," the PUC said in a press release Wednesday. PUC Commissioner Joan H. Smith credited her agency’s quick decision to the efforts of Maxwell, the Rogue River community and Judge Grant. "The community was very well-organized thanks to Shayne. That really helped a lot," said Smith. "And Judge Mike Grant is our most experienced judge in this sort of situation. He’s been everywhere in Oregon doing this sort of hearing." The current EAS for Qwest customers in Rogue River and Grants Pass is $1.28 per month. The Qwest EAS for Gold Hill, Central Point and Medford is also $1.28 per month. Smith said the rates analysis will take more time than the decision to grant the study. "The frustrating part begins now. We have to do cost analysis with each of the phone companies," she said. Next spring, the proposed rates will be distributed to customers in their phone bills. Then the PUC will hold an additional hearing in Rogue River to determine if the community still wants to go forward with its EAS request. If so, the PUC will commission an order in May 2003 with the new EAS rates effective no later than the first Saturday in August. Maxwell said she is thrilled with the decision and grateful to everyone who aided in the drive. "Affordable telecommunications is an important step toward building a better economy for Southern Oregonians," she said. "I am overjoyed that the citizens of the Rogue River telephone exchange have finally been granted something they’ve needed for many years." Maxwell said the arduous process of working toward getting Rogue River its EAS convinced her that a regionwide EAS is necessary. She said she received many calls from other rural communities asking for advice and support. A drive to create a single Rogue Valley calling area began. At the request of state Sen. Lenn Hannon, a roundtable meeting will be held Aug. 14 in Rogue River to discuss a regional calling area for all of Jackson and Josephine counties. Scheduled to appear are national, state and local officeholders, representatives from regional agencies, businesses, Qwest and the PUC; and the presidents of Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University. Sanne Specht is a free-lance writer living in Rogue River. Reach her at [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S