Permit for McCain Cell Tower Still Active - Uh-oh...Cover up?

[jefferson_dem]

Permit for McCain Cell Tower Still Active
POSTED: 05:28 PM ET, 10/16/2008 by The Editors
TAGS: Cindy McCain, John McCain, campaign

By James V. Grimaldi
Washington Post Staff Writer

Verizon Wireless's permit to build a permanent cellular telephone tower on John and Cindy McCain's Arizona ranch is still in effect, Yavapai County officials said today, as the wireless company keeps its options open for the previously shelved plans for the site.

In a statement, Verizon's spokesman Jeffrey Nelson labeled as "wrong" a story about the cell phone coverage at the ranch in Thursday's Post. McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers told the Associated Press, "This story is a disgrace. The McCains went through the process that is available to anybody who subscribes to one of these cell phone companies to inquire about getting service."

The Verizon statement said, "Verizon received a request from Mrs. McCain, but declined. Subsequent to that, the Secret Service made a legitimate request for a temporary tower for its work and Verizon complied as is required by our contract with the agency."

But interviews and public records filed in the Yavapai development services offices indicate a different timeline. In early 2007, Cindy McCain's staff first requested coverage, according to the McCain campaign. Over the course of the year, Mrs. McCain offered land for a permanent cell tower and gave Verizon authorization to act on her behalf to seek permits from the county. In late 2007, a firm was hired by Verizon to produce an environmental impact assessment, that eventually ran to 200 pages. Verizon also hired contractors to prepare blueprints for a cell tower. Cindy McCain signed a contract with Verizon in early May.

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http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2008/10/permit_for_mccain_cell_tower_s.html