Can You Hear Me Now? (Part II)

WP follows up on its previous story about cell phone towers.

The Verizon statement said, "Verizon received a request [for cell service on the ranch] 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.

After a regulatory hurdle delayed the permanent tower, Verizon received e-mails in late May from a Secret Service technology manager imploring Verizon to rush cell coverage for the area. Verizon's contractor then petitioned the county to permit a portable "cell site on wheels," known as a COW.