Austin American-Statesman from Austin, Texas • 13

JVY Williamson County Lieberman visits Austin U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the man who almost became vice president last year, criticized President Bush's tax cut plan and other agenda items during a luncheon fund-raiser Thursday in Austin. B3 LZ3 Section Austin American-Statesman statesman.com Friday, June 1, 2001 tbw tew First daughters cited after Chuy's incident Charlie Betts: Downtown Austin Alliance director appeals to police for action Spokesman warns press to gauge stories By Ken Herman American-Statesman Washington Staff WASHINGTON The White House on Thursday slapped a top-secret label on how the first family is handling its second brush with the law in recent weeks. None of anyone's business, spokesman Ari Fleischer said.

"I would urge all of you to very carefully think through how much you want to pursue this," he told reporters, not challenging news stories based on police records, but adding, "If you go beyond that, I would urge you to be very careful because any reaction of the parents is parental, it's not governmental. It is family, and it is private." Fleischer's comments came hours before the Austin Police Department issued citations charging Jenna and Barbara Bush, 19-year-old twins, with Class misdemeanors on allegations of attempting to buy alcoholic drinks at Chuy's restaurant. See White, B2 One accused of using fake ID, other of being a minor in possession By Jonathan Osborne and Claire Osborn American-Statesman Staff Police cited President Bush's 19-year-old twin daughters Thursday on charges of misdemeanor alcohol-related violations. Jenna Bush, who is on probation for a May conviction for being a minor in possession of alcohol, was ticketed after being accused of using someone else's driver's license to try to purchase a margarita Tuesday night at Chuy's restaurant on Barton Springs Road. Her sister, Barbara, and another friend, 20-year-old Jesse Day-Wickham, were issued tickets on charges of being minors in possession of alcohol.

The Bushes signed the tickets at their lawyer's office Thursday. Both charges are Class misdemeanors under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code and carry a fine of up to $500, attendance at an alcohol awareness course, community service and 30-day driver's license suspension. "They were very cooperative," Assistant Police Chief Jimmy Chapman said. BUI Allison, a lawyer who represented Jenna Bush in the first case, did not return telephone calls See Chuy's, B2 David J. Phillip2000 Associated Press The Bushes said they have tried to keep their daughters, Barbara, left, and Jenna, out of the public eye.

Charged with alcohol-related violations, the spotlight was turned on them this week. lmm odd pganri sDnep ose Diieair Giddyup! Sheriff's Posse Rodeo moseys into Georgetown fjrf' i LS' Robert Springsteen: Convicted killer had no witnesses speak on his behalf Thursday. Prosecutor, teen girl's father describe her life as state seeks death sentence for her killer By David Hafetz American-Statesman Staff Bob Ayers removes his black cowboy hat as he walks into court each morning and puts it back on every time he leaves. Sitting in the front row with his family, he has quietly watched the trial of his daughter's killer. On Thursday, he told jurors what he lost on Dec.

6, 1991, when 13-year-old Amy Ayers was murdered at a North Austin yogurt shop. "Are you asking me how it changed my life?" Ayers asked, his voice quavering. "How has it not changed my life? "1 don't enjoy it near as much as I used to because there is a big piece missing that can't be replaced," he testified. "It used to bother me to see my wife cry. I've seen her cry so much that it doesn't bother me anymore." ART Jurors, several of whom cried as Ayers testified, today will resume deliberating whether Robert Bunn Springsteen IV should be executed or sentenced to life in prison for Amy Ayers' murder.

They debated the question for about five hours Thursday before being sequestered overnight at an Austin hotel. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Bob Ayers' testimony closed the punishment phase of Springsteen's trial, leaving jurors with the pic ture of a determined teen-ager who baked cakes for everyone's birthday, loved animals and liked school because she had a goal: to be a veterinarian. She cherished her best friend, 15-year-old Sarah Harbison. East Sixth merchants are fed up over drugs Owners continue to complain to police about crack users By Jonathan Osborne American-Statesman Staff There's a growing hue and cry among merchants and downtown business owners along Waller Creek and Sixth Street: Get rid of the "crack cabana." Police don't deny the stretch of East Sixth between Red River Street and Interstate 35 is overrun with drug dealers.

They said they've been trying to do something about it, they're still trying, and they're on the verge of unveiling a new plan of attack next week. But business owners such as Carl Daywood who says he's fed up with excuses just want the drug dealers gone. "This is the worst I've ever seen it," said Daywood, who owns a real estate company on Sixth and Sabine streets. "I want the problem resolved, and I want it resolved fast because it's hurting us down here." Charlie Betts, executive director of the Downtown Austin Alliance, personally asked the police department on Wednesday to crack down on the crack dealers. But it's a request, he said, the alliance has made many times before.

"I don't know how it should be controlled, but we're asking the (Austin Police Department) to do it," Betts said. "The neighbors there deserve protection. They shouldn't have to witness drug deals going on all afternoon." Assistant Police Chief Rick Coy said the area, about a block from police headquarters, is a difficult one to clean up overnight. But he also said some of the business owner's complaints may be exaggerated. "I don't see the same thing they're seeing," Coy said.

If I walk through there and I see a problem, I'm going to have it dealt with. The times I go through there, I don't see what they're talking about." His department's statistics show plenty of arrests in the area. By mid-May, Austin police had arrested at least 66 people this year for dealing narcotics and 143 for possession. In February, one undercover operation in the area yielded 37 arrests for drug crimes. Alan Somers, chef at the upscale Kaya Blue restaurant on the corner of Sixth and Sabine streets, said the problem is real.

He's gotten used to his unwelcome neighbors but the clientele he's trying to attract has not. "We have had scared customers," he said. "I've even heard comments from delivery men dropping stuff off." Somers has dubbed the shaded area in front of the Waller building, where he parks his car, the "crack cabana." "I can't walk from work to my car, which is half a block, without somebody offering me something or saying, 'What do' you Somers said. "What I wouldlike to say is, 'No. I would like to walk from my work to my car without someone trying to sell me 'I want the problem resolved, and I want it resolved fast because its hurting us down Carl Daywood Owner of business at Sixth and Sabine streets See Jury, B4 West Texas wildfires claim 3,000 acres, threaten homes By Katy Scon Amencan-Statesman Staff JBPasOj 1 I Davis f3 National Part; 1 Wildfires in West Texas came within half a mile of a rural subdivision just west of Fort Davis on Thursday, threatening hundreds of homes.

"I haven't slept in I don't know how long," said Karen Fellers, assistant chief of the Davis Mountains Resort volunteer fire department. "You can see the flames from the resort. It's really smoky." Lightning sparked two fires Monday in the Davis Mountains Preserve, about 400 miles west of Austin. By Thursday afternoon, flames had consumed more than ,3,000 acres of private and state-owned land, officials said. Although one of the fires, which started in Right Hand Canyon, was under control by Wednesday night.

jS-jJ 1 Robert Calzaca Brian K. DiggsAmencan-Statesman San Gabriel Park, located on Austin Avenue. All events are held at the park arena. Admission Friday is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children under age 6. Admission Saturday is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children under age 6.

Ar-ie'ican-Staiesn-ar the other, which began in Pine Peak, moved toward Davis Mountains Resort, a subdivision that houses about 125 residents. "The fire is on the northwest side See Weather, B4 Participants in the calf-roping contest watch the goings-on Thursday at the Williamson County Sheriffs Posse Rodeo in Georgetown. The rodeo, which runs through Saturday, includes a parade through downtown Georgetown tomorrow at 10 a.m., followed by a barbecue at State budget faces $28 million cut if Perry vetoes bill 77th Legislature "Every decision has consequences. The potential is that this decision will have some pretty far-reaching effects," he said of a potential veto by Perry. The centerpiece of the bill is a radical overhaul of the oft-criticized General Services Commission, which manages state buildings, telecommunication and purchasing.

As part of that overhaul, the lieutenant governor and House speaker would See Veto, B4 Those measures include allowing online "reverse auctions" in which companies openly bid against each other and drive down the state's costs for contracted services, developing an online business travel reservation system for state workers, and buying more supplies online to reduce labor and overhead costs. "It's savings that would help us get where we wanted to go," said Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, the bill's House sponsor. Without passage of General Services overhaul, lawmakers would have to adjust other spending By Gary Susswein American-Statesman Staff A veto by Gov. Rick Perry of a bill that overhauls the General Services Commission could force the state to cut $28 million from its 2002-03 budget and reduce spending on buildings, equipment and some higher education programs.

Senate Bill 3ir which the governor says would diminish his influence over the General Services Commission also includes a series of Internet-based cost saving measures that lawmakers had counted on when crafting their $114 billion two-year budget. Rick Perry: Governor says bill would diminish his influence over commission..