The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 4

A2The San Bernardino County Sun, MONDAY, March 2, 1998 Parents aren't utilizing television rating system As Em try's job to provide the public with information about whether programs contain violence, sexual situations, coarse language and suggestive dialogue. These are signified with the letters and in the ratings system that debuted Oct. 1. Several questions have arisen about how well the system works. A media watchdog group issued a study that said the labels were not applied consistently.

TV executives have said they believe parents pay little attention, and top-rated NBC refused to use the letter notations. It airs just the age-based ratings, such as "TV-14," introduced in 1996. Political pressure from Congress and parents' groups led to the ratings as a precursor to the "v-chip," the long-promised tool for parents to block their televisions from showing certain types of programs. Televisions with that capability could be on store shelves within two years. They would have been out earlier if the Federal Communications Commission had not encountered so much disagreement about how to write the rules, said Lisa Fasold, a spokeswoman for the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association.

Dick Wolf, producer of "Law Order" and "New York Undercover" and an outspoken critic of the ratings system, was not surprised that many people say they ignore it. He called the topic an "instant trip" to newspaper headlines for "a litany of politicians." but a non-issue otherwise. By Howard Goldberg The Associated Press NEW YORK Parents aren't making much use of the TV industry's new system of ratings that warn viewers some programs are unsuitable for children or contain sex and violence, an Associated Press poll finds. Seven in 10 adults say they pay little or no attention to the ratings, such as "TV-PG" or "TV-14," when they appear in program listings and on-screen. Even in homes with children, 51 percent of parents pay little or no attention.

But other results of the poll indicate the public is far from rejecting the new system: 63 percent of parents say they sometimes use the ratings to make viewing decisions for themselves or their children. Only 40 percent do so regularly. 56 percent of those with kids say the ratings do an excellent or good job of informing parents. Those who pay attention to the ratings and use them are the most upbeat about the system. 67 percent of all adults say that the ratings appear on-screen for about the right amount of time.

They flash in the upper-left corner for 15 seconds at the beginning of entertainment programs 26 percent say that's not long enough. The telephone poll of 1,007 adults was taken Feb. 20-24 by ICR of Pa. Results have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points overall, or 5 points for parents' responses. Most of those polled, 84 percent, say it's the television indus- -V I LARRY ROSBFor The Sun Ernie Brlones, a general contractor, installs window screens for Redlands resident Christina Kooman at her Lugonia Avenue home as part of the Great Neighborhoods Program offered by the city.

If extensive upgrades are needed, the city works in cooperation with San Bernardino County's economic and community development department, which offers low-interest loans, Espino-za said. Christina Kooiman's son-in-law suggested she get a grant to paint her Lugonia Avenue home. She said she is looking forward to it being completed. Good Morning, Readers High desert county Monday. March 2 Vol.

129 No. 61 1998 The Sun A Gannett Newspaper San The Son (USPS a Gannett newspaper published every cU erf tr year at a rate of $9 70 per 4 week period daily and Sunday home delivery ($9 00 piuft 70 cents sales ta) or $25 59 per 4 weeks by mail by The Sun Company of San Betrvarrj.no. California. 399 0 Sr. San Bernardino.

92401 SecondclaM postage paid at San Bernardino. California Poatmaatar. Send addrtu chanfe to The Sun. Circulation Department. 399 North 0 San Bernard-no.

CA 92401 Program Continued from A1 ies' redevelopment agencies. Locally, Fontana, Ontario and San Bernardino also offer assistance to homeowners. Fontana has been offering home renovation assistance to its residents for a couple of years through its Neighborhood Beau-tification program. The city's housing department has concentrated on improving neighborhoods along Fontana's major ar-terials. A stretch of Juniper Avenue between Valley and Foothill boulevards recently was completed with 75 percent of the homes receiving new exterior painting or landscaping or both, said David Edgar, Fontana's director of housing.

"We want to improve the quality of life along our major arteri-als and beautify arterials as part of (the city's) image enhancement," Edgar said. Ontario offers beautification grants for minor projects and zero-interest rehabilitation loans for major repairs, city spokesman George Urch said. "We've had the program for a while and it has been fairly successful," Urch said. "It helps keep our housing stock up and maintain the city's economic viability." Redlands offers grants of up to $5,000 to home owners who fit the criteria. The city uses Housing and Urban Development income guidelines; recipients may not exceed an annual income of $31,335 for a household of one or $44,800 for a family of four.

Secession Continued from A1 remaining area would lose money," said Lamoreaux, former city manager of Barstow and Apple Valley. "They don't want to lose that part of the pie." Apple Valley resident Gerda Feldmann, who pushed for creation of Mojave County a decade ago, said the new county would have been viable because of the High Desert's economic muscle. But High Desert supporters of Mojave County were out-voted by the more populous San Bernardino metropolitan area. "At least seven other attempts to create new counties in California failed because of that voting law," Feldmann said. San Bernardino County's desert region contains vast mineral resources, electrical power plants and railroad facilities.

The desert area of Los Angeles County has extensive aerospace, manufacturing and motion picture industries, and Kern County contains valuable mining resources. When state-appointed commissioners looked at the pros and cons of forming Mojave County, the High Desert contained about 22 percent of San Bernardino County's population and produced 26 percent of county revenue, Lamoreaux said. "The transfer of property tax was the real issue at the time," he explained. "The highest tax-producing properties were in the High Desert." Already, there is opposition to the idea. "It doesn't make sense," said Jerry Eaves, chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

"It would reduce the county's size from an economic standpoint. And it would need all new county services and administration." But Knight, hoping to avoid a repeat of last decade's failure, plans to take steps to change the balloting procedure so only voters in the new county area could decide the secession issue. "If we can amend this bill, we'll do it," he said. "If not, we'll introduce separate legislation." Knight's Senate Bill 2022 proposes creating a new county extending from Needles in the east Mart AdMmPubiisher 0. Rkartfo MffliMtUIEifxulrve Editor JaannlM DuvaHAdvertising Director Dm CriuProductton Director lack HotfaiCtrculation Director J.

Uadwi EdmoodCont roller RonaM V4aaiMiHuman Resources Director Jaff ftodtfvreMarket Development Director ftooart It ltMOADirector of Community Affairs Outtsvo OrtiiMIS Director ken windows. All grants are approved by the City Council and the home owners get a chance to meet the contractors beforehand. "We've really enjoyed implementing the program," she said. "It improves our housing stock and helps families that otherwise couldn't get the money to do the improvements." High Desert. LOS ANGELES COUNTY, today Population: 9.5 million, including 475,000 in desert portion.

Assessed value: $496.3 billion, including $17.7 billion in desert region (3.5 percent of total). Total area: 4,083 square miles, with 2,481 In desert. KERN COUNTY, today Population: 612,823, including 76,186 in desert portion. Assessed value: $38 billion, including $2.7 billion In desert region (8 percent of total). Total area: 8,200 square miles, with 1,802 in desert.

he said. "With lack of sufficient jobs, about 110,000 workers in the Antelope and Victor valleys must make long commutes to jobs." If the state Legislature approves Knight's bill and Gov. Pete Wilson signs it, the governor would appoint a five-member County Formation Review Commission by May 1, 1999, to study the feasibility of a High Desert County. "The commission would look at the economic benefits and liabilities, draw boundaries and recommend a county seat," said Cameron Smyth, Knight's deputy chief of staff. "By incorporating parts of three counties, a new High Desert County would be more economically viable than Mojave County would have been.

"The economy is picking up and the High Desert is growing," Smyth added. "Many constituents say they want a new county. The Antelope Valley has been looking at it for years, as has San Bernardino's High Desert. So we feel it's time to explore this option." The commission has up to a year to determine whether the new county would be feasible or if its formation would harm the old county. The commission also determines a split of assets.

DAILY 3: 5, 5, 7. FANTASY 5: 5, 12, 22, 36, 37. DAILY DERBY: 1st place: 7, Eureka. 2nd place: 5, California Classic. 3rd place: 11, Money Bags.

Race time: 1:44.77. SUPER LOTTO: 14, 20, 29, 30, 34, 35. One ticket sold in Ridgecrest won the $7million. Wednesday's jackpot is estimated at $3 "They've been here for a couple weeks painting away," she said. She probably would not have been able to get her house repainted if not for the program, she said.

Word of the program has spread, Espinoza said, and the most requested renovations are exterior painting and fixing bro MAJOR INDUSTRIES Northrop, Lockheed and Boeing aerospace, pharmaceuticals and motion picture production (Los Angeles County); mining (San Bernardino and Kern counties); railroad facilities and power production (San Bernardino County). SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, today Population: 1.5 million, including 350,000 in High Desert. Assessed value: $66.6 billion, Including $11.5 billion In High Desert (17.2 percent of -total) Total area: 20,000 square miles, Including 18,000 in vantages or economic benefits in creating a new desert county, especially now as the county is doing more for its desert residents than in years past. "With Kathy Davis representing the High Desert, we're putting a priority on state transportation funds, building two new courtrooms and locating a juvenile court there," he said. "We're also trying to locate a county jail and more sheriffs administrative offices there." Davis, attending meetings at Nipton and Fort Irwin on successive days, said through her executive secretary that she has not seen Knight's bill, and cannot comment on it.

High Desert leaders said the proposal has merit. Barstow City Manager Paul Warner said the proposal makes sense from a geographical standpoint and could be positive for the entire desert. Hesperia Mayor John Abbott said the High Desert's strengths and differences deserve more attention. Victorville developer Joseph Brady, president of the Bradco companies, said he would like to see the desert control its own destiny and finances. "We share many of the same issues, have a substantial workforce and affordable housing," consolidate Furman Selz LLC, the child care industry had revenues of $30 billion in 1997.

Currently, Mulberry operates child care centers and before-and after-school programs in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1990. In addition to the Ave centers in San Bernardino County, Bright Beginnings operates preschools in Riverside, Claremont, LaVerne, Perris, Temecula and Irvine. The Sun Bernanflno County's Opinions The Sun Bermnlna County's Newspipw More than 60 percent of the newsprint used to print The Sun is recycled. The recycled fiber content of that newsprint is more than 25 percent.

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This notice may be by mail to the subscriber, or by notice contained in the newspaper, or otherwise. Subscription changes may be implemented by changing the duration of the subscriptions. 124: 2, 16, 26, 28, 30, 38. 121: 2, 5, 34, 36, 39, 49. 117: 10, 24, 36, 38, 45, 51.

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To reach our main offices In San Bernardino by telephone, call (909) 889-9666. From Redlands, Cotton and Grand Terrace, call (909) 825-1255. From the High Desert, call (760) 243-3240. II you are hearing-impaired and wish to contact us, you can call (800) 735-2922. The opetalor will relay your message and our response.

1 Do you have a news tip? For news of local events, call your local Sun news bureau chief: Cotton (909) 386-3810 Fontana (909)386-3876 Ontario (909)937-8528 Redlands (909)335-6731 Rialto (909)386-3876 Victorville (760)241-7017 Yucaipa (909)790-1917 NEWS DEPARTMENTS You may want to call specific departments and people listed below. BUSINESS NEWS (909) 386-3925 Jim Steinberg, business editor LOCAL NEWS (909) 386-3852 Maria De Varenne. asst. managing editor William DiepenbrocK, metro editor (909) 386-3875 LIVING SECTION (909) 386-3858 John Weeks, features editor SPORTS (909) 386-3865 Paul Oberjuerge, sports editor EDITORIAL PAGE (909) 386-3844 Richard Kimball, editorial page editor PHOTOS (909)386-3848 Gary Miller, photo editor Your letters are also welcome. Write the Editor at 399 N.

San Bernardino, Calif. 92401. You may reach our San Bernardino newsroom by FAX at (909) 885-8741. CORRECTIONS If you have a question about the accuracy of a news article, please call Tom Bray, Managing Editor at (909) 386-3841 Lottery million. PAST SUPER LOTTO DRAWINGS 225:12, 13, 15, 19, 26, 32.

221: 6, 10, 14, 17, 19, 22. 218: 16, 20, 29, 41, 43, 51. 214: 12, 24, 27, 30, 33, 48. 211: 22, 25, 26, 42, 44, 46. 27: 6, 12, 31, 32, 44, 47.

24:10, 13, 39, 40, 45, 49. 131: 6, 20, 41, 43, 44, 45. 128: 15, 16, 23, 47, 49, 50. A state legislator is pushing a bill to carve out a section of San Bernardino County, and several neighboring counties, into a new High Desert County. Here's what the new county would look like: Estimated county population: 900,000 Estimated assessed property value: $32 billion.

Key cities Populations: Santa Clarita 170,000 Palmdale 110,000 Lancaster 110,000 Victorville 61,000 Hesperia 60,000 Apple Valley 57,000 Ridgecrest 28,000 Barstow 23,000 to Santa Clarita in the west, and including the Antelope and Victor valleys and southeast Kern County. It would exclude the San Bernardino Mountains and Mo-rongo Basin area in San Bernardino County. "The High Desert is demo-graphically and physically separated from the rest of the three existing counties," Knight said. "The interests of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Bakersfield are not necessarily the interests of people in the desert region." At stake, he said, is local control. "People in the desert aren't getting an equitable return on tens of millions of property tax dollars generated in the desert.

"High Desert residents are taxed for services they never see. The fiscal health of the region would be better served, and delivery of services would be improved by forming a new county." Victorville Councilwoman JoAnn Almond said existing county boundaries have created inadequate representation. "The lack of responsiveness to the High Desert's needs and rampant extraction of revenues without fair return can only be relieved by self-government in the High Desert," she said. But Eaves said he sees no ad Mulberry's acquisition of Bright Beginnings is reflective of what is happening in the highly fragmented child care industry, where the country's 10 largest providers combined represent less than seven percent of the market, Adams said. The trend nationally is for the larger chains to merge or acquire smaller providers who And it increasingly difficult to compete, he said.

According to a child care industry study by New York-based People San Merger: Local preschools Continued from A1 care centers owned and operated by Mulberry to 45 and increases annual revenues from $23 million to $30 million, Adams said. Orsi said his company will receive cash and 10 percent ownership in Mulberry. Financial details were not disclosed. As part of the deal, Orsi becomes president of Mulberry and will oversee development in California and other states in the west. Voice of the liTokV San Bernardino County's favorite address.

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