Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 11

The Arizona republic Kristin Gilger, metro editor, (602) 444-8222 kristin.gilge rarizonarepublic.com news.azcentral.com -M TUESDAY In Brief PHOENIX rilomes in flood ziiu duod Where to call To find out whether your Maricopa County home site is in an area that could potentially flood, call (602) 506-1501. Libertarian picked for Superior Court John Buttrick, veteran commercial lawyer and Libertarian candidate for governor in 1994, has been appointed judge of Maricopa County Superior the estimated cost could exceed $5 million. It is the price of growth, officials say. The Valley is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas and has been for more than 50 years. Flood control has been around for only 40.

"We're trying to get out ahead of development," Yager See DOOMED i Page B2 ByMikeMcCloy The Arizona Republic Maricopa County taxpayers just bought Bill Cole's new house for $146,000. Not bad for four bedrooms on an acre, triple garage, tile roof and a bay-window view of the desert hills near Carefree Highway and Interstate 17. Except for one thing: The house never should have been in danger. The Flood Control District may offer to buy the homes, said Shanna Yager, district permit manager. The district is preparing a voluntary buyout program because a dam to protect the homes could be 10 times more expensive.

So far, 17 homes have been identified for buyout in this area. With owners claiming values of $300,000 and higher, "We made a mistake," district General Manager Mike Ellegood said. "We couldn't let anybody occupy that house. We had to buy him out." But that will not end the problem. Across the street, a house is even closer to the wash, and downstream there is another one.

More than a dozen were built and occupied near Skunk Creek before the latest flood study officially put them Court by built. A permit was issued in error by the Maricopa County Flood Control District, which monitors construction close to Skunk Tank Wash. "mmt, Republican Gov. Jane tfnii "it UUiit XI think it shows that party label is irrelevant," said Buttrick, of the Phoenix law firm of John Buttrick Phoenix gets red-light cameras "...1 Brown Bain. "That's a healthy attitude." Buttrick is believed to be the first minor-party candidate appointed to the bench.

By Christina Leonard The Arizona Republic Ten Phoenix intersections notorious for red-light runners will be outfitted with cameras in the latest attempt to shake the city's deadly reputation. "I'm confident that a combination of programs will get through to people," traffic bureau Lt. Wayne Lorch said. Lockheed Martin IMS-Photo Enforcement Group, which contracted with the city to install and run the cameras, helped study intersections. The worst include 12th Street and Indian School Road, 40th Street and Bell Road, 16th Street and McDowell Road and 35th Avenue and McDowell Road all of which averaged 66 to 83 red-light runners during a 24-hour period.

Barbara Bristol, who works as a clerk at the Circle at 32nd Street and McDowell, another area prone to red-light runners, calls the cameras overdue. "We have a lot of wrecks," Bristol said. "We see them all because we're right here on the corner." Phoenix, which leads the nation for red-light deaths, began a zero-tolerance crackdown last See CAMERAS I Page B2 Michael ChowThe Arizona Republic STATEWIDE Readers can aid Sudanese refugees Readers wishing to help the young Sudanese refugees known as the "Lost Boys," who were profiled in Sunday's Republic, can call one of the following groups: Catholic Social Services, (602) 997-6105; International Rescue Committee, (602) 433-2440; Lutheran Social Ministries of the Southwest, (602) 248-4400; and All Saints' Episcopal Church, outreach coordinator Nanette Towsley, (602) 430-0286. PHOENIX Robber who shot officer sentenced A Phoenix man who shot an off-duty police officer in the leg after robbing a convenience store was sentenced Monday to almost 11 years in prison. David Jeremy Running-Eagle, 23, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and aggravated assault.

Running-Eagle shot Phoenix Sgt. Rex Williamson outside a Phoenix Circle last May after the officer saw him don a mask and rob the store. More newt briefs, B3 Moonstruck Love is in the air as an almost full moon silhouettes a couple on a butte at Papago Park in Phoenix on Sunday. Send a free electronic postcard with this image to a friend by going to postcards.azcentral.com. Mom waits for news on missing infant Hot-tub drowning stuns grieving mom i Mm i i i Datebook By Brent Whiting The Arizona Republic Olivia Castaneda held her 2-year-old daughter in one arm Monday afternoon while she clutched a cell phone, awaiting word about her other daughter, missing since Sunday.

She waited all day, but by evening no word had come. Castaneda, 18, toloV police that her 4-month-old daughter, Jacqueline, was taken from outside a portable bathroom at an Avondale swap meet. Castaneda had been inside the bathroom helping her 2-year-old. Castaneda called police, who arrived within minutes and searched the area with no luck. "I'm really sad because nobody has called with information about my baby," Castaneda said quietly as she sat in the yard of her mother's home on 387th Avenue.

By Paul Matthews and Lisa Chiu The Arizona Republic A Mesa mother says she can't understand how her 20-year-old daughter died Monday in a hot tub during a supervised field trip for special-needs children. Briana McDowell, a Gilbert High School student, was pulled from the bottom of a hot tub about 11:30 a.m. by guests at the Val Vista Lakes clubhouse, 1600 E. Lakeside Drive, said Alex Finter, a spokesman for the Gilbert Fire Department. Firefighters attempted to resuscitate her until paramedics arrived, but Finter said McDowell died shortly after arrival at Desert Samaritan Medical Center in Mesa.

Russella McDowell said her daughter was mildly retarded and suffered from epilepsy but hadn't had a seizure in 18 months and was on medication for it. She also knew how to swim. "They were supposed to be watching her, I don't know how it could have happened," she said Monday evening. "They said they were watching her." McDowell said she is waiting for results of an autopsy to find out what happened. She said her daughter was "always laughing, always kind." Charles Santa Cruz, principal at Gilbert High, said McDowell was one of 12 special-needs students from Gilbert, Highland and Mes- See DROWNING Page B2 Jacqueline Vasquez has been missing since Sunday.

Avondale police have interviewed Castaneda and her husband, Jorge Vasquez, 21. They also have talked to people who were at the swap meet but failed to find anyone who saw the infant outside the bathroom, Sgt. Mark Lucas said. Lucas said detectives still are interviewing family members and people who were at the swap meet. Castaneda said her family has distributed fliers with the WEDNESDAY: Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N.

Central hosts its monthly After Hours event from 5:30 to 9 p.m., featuring salsa dancing and lessons, free hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Cost: $15, $10 for members. (602) 257-1880. More events, B3 Michael ChawThe Arizona Republic "I'm really sad," said Olivia Castaneda, with daughter Nayeli Vasquez. baby's photo on it in Avondale.

The flier notes that Jacqueline has a heart-shaped birthmark on her upper right arm. Castaneda sighed and said, "We hope that someone calls or delivers her somewhere safe, like a church or a hospital, where we can find her." Almanac CARAZY Hull should let herself go and do right thing The bill landed on the governor's desk a week ago, and she could have signed it or vetoed it right then and there. Wham, bam, thank you, ma'am. But that's not Jane Dee If anyone had asked us to define "the infamous crime against nature," we probably would have answered, "Voting Republican?" Since moving to Arizona, I've learned that's not the case. Republican State Rep.

Steve May sponsored HB 2016. "It's past time to get these archaic ideas off the books," he said Monday. "It's true they're not enforced for the most part. But they are still used in ways to discriminate against gay and lesbian citizens." For instance, he said, a person applying for a job could be asked if he or she is knowingly violating any existing criminal statute. "If you know about these laws," May said, "you have to answer yes.

That could keep you from getting work." According to Hull's press secretary, Francie Noyes, the governor has not told her staff exactly what she plans to do with HB 2016. She has until the end of today to sign it, veto it or simply ignore it, allowing the law to go into effect without her signature. The bill doesn't deal with adultery, which remains on the books as a crime. Hull has received more citizen input on this legislation than any issue this session, Noyes said. More than tax cuts or education spending or health care.

This infamous crime against common sense has been encouraged by some of the state's most conservative politicians. They want to keep the arcane laws on the books, enforced or not. Some even want to see the laws expanded. Hull knows how ridiculous that is and can afford to say so. Term limits prevent her from running again for governor.

She's got nothing to lose. Unlike just about every other elected official, she can afford to be bold, honest and unafraid. She can let herself go and actually do the right thing. When you're a lame duck, you don't have to worry if voters will still re- -spect you in the morning. Reach Montini at ed.montini arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8978.

Or at least listen. And so for the past seven days roughly 2,000 of Hull's closest constituents have cozied up to her, whispering (and sometimes shouting) not-so-sweet nothings into her ear concerning House Bill 2016. The legislation would repeal three sex-related laws that have been on the books for generations but not enforced. Right now, for example, it is a Class 3 misdemeanor in Arizona to live in a state of "open and notorious cohabitation." Likewise, it's illegal to commit "in any unnatural manner, any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body or any part of or member thereof of a male or female adult, with the intent of arousing, appealing to or gratifying the lust, passion or sexual desires of either or such person." And finally a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if he "knowingly and without force commits the infamous crime against nature." We didn't speak of such things in the small, somewhat-repressed Pennsylvania mill town where I grew up. LITERARY LICENSE WHY: "This is indicative of my crazy behavior related to customizing and individualizing cars." WHOSE: Jim Jenkins, Scottsdale, who also personalized the plates on his boat and motor home.

Hull's style. She prefers to take her time. Her colleagues in the state Legislature would rather skip dinner and get right to des- sert, if you know what I mean. E.J. M0NTINI The Arizona Republic Coming Up They have their desires and want the governor to sign off on them.

That might work with some politicians but not Hull. You'd think they'd know by now she's not that kind of governor. She likes to talk things over first. WEDNESDAY Leader of church in Armenia to visit 1 Iss in a Special Report." I OiiiiwJW IUJ pvvpMl Wl hectic scNkM.