The firestorm created by a Trump administration staffer’s reference to Sen. John’s McCain’s battle with terminal cancer didn’t stop Pima County Communications Director Mark Evans from jumping the gun. An eager beaver, Evans sent out an email asking for quotes for a press release prepared in the event of the senator’s passing.
From: Mark B. Evans (Communications)
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 1:17 PM
To: Sharon Bronson; Steve Christy; Ally Miller; Ramon Valadez
Cc: Maria Klucarova; JoAnn di Filippo; Beth Borozan; Jennifer Eckstrom; Jan Lesher
Subject: Quotes for John McCain press release
Supervisors,
As we all know, it is likely Sen. John McCain will pass away in the coming weeks and there will be numerous tributes to his life of public service. Local media often requests comment from public officials on the death of prominent figures.
In anticipation of that, the Communications Office is preparing a release with statements from County leaders to be sent out once the Senator’s death is announced. The Board Chairman and the County Administrator have already provided quotes to go with the county statement. If you would like to be included in the release, please provide a quote in the rough draft below and send back to me. Or if you prefer to do your own release or not comment, just let me know.
Thanks,
—–
Mark B. Evans
Public Communications Manager Pima County
(520)724-3334, office
(520)369-9123, cell
Pima County leaders mourn the death of Sen. John McCain
PIMA COUNTY – In the pantheon of great Arizona leaders, U.S. Sen. John McCain ranks with Barry Goldwater, Mo Udall and Carl Hayden. His faithful and honorable service to the nation and to Arizona will be long remembered in our state and our country.
Though his duties and attention in the Senate often dealt with significant national and international issues, Sen. McCain has also been a good friend to Pima County and Southern Ari zona. His support and advocacy for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca and Raytheon Missile Systems’ manufacturing plant has been invaluable over the years, especially for the regional economy. In recent years, he has helped the County secure federal funding to improve the Port of Tucson and relieve traffic congestion there, and he helped shepherd through Congress designating the Sonoran Corridor a part of the federal highway system, which paves the way for eventual federal funding.
Pima County offer the McCain family their sincerest condolences on the passing of this great American. Our county mourns with them.
Below are comments on Sen. McCain’s passing from County leaders:
Richard Elias, Board of Supervisors Chairman:
“Senator John McCain was an honorable man who served his country well. He was a war hero. He was a skilled politician of many decades who was noted for taking an unrelenting stand on principles to which he was devoted. He will be missed.”
Chuck Huckelberry, County Administrator:
“This is a terribly sad day for Arizona and the nation. John McCain served his nation with honor and dignity his entire life. I’ve always enjoyed my many meetings with him and I have held him in the highest regard as a public servant and as a decent human being. Though he was a national leader, he never forgot that he was the Senior Senator from Arizona and we could always count on him to represent the best interests of Pima County in the Congress. I will miss him.”
Ally Miller, District 1 County Supervisor
Ramon Valadez, District 2 County Supervisor
Sharon Bronson, District 3 County Supervisor
Steve Christy, District 4 County Supervisor
Related article: Powerful Pima County Supervisors Vote In The Future
In 2016, Evans prepared a press release announcing the results of a vote that had not yet occurred. The ADI reported at that time:
On August 2, 2016 the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to accept a gift of 65 acres of open space property to expand Tucson Mountain Park, according to the crack Communications Department. The fact that August 2 has not yet arrived either points to the fact that the supervisors are time travelers, super-human, or a rubber stamp for County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.
Whatever the case may be one thing is clear; the massive Communications Department is on top of things. It might even have a clairvoyant on board. Perhaps Chuck “Miss Cleo” Huckelberry sees all.
“I was very disturbed when I received this email a few days ago requesting a quote, especially given the media meltdown over the White House staffer who made comments regarding Senator McCain,” said Supervisor Ally Miller. “It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It certainly demonstrates a lack of sensitivity to the family.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Huckelberry has a press release announcing Supervisor Miller’s death already written. The guy is obsessed with her and seems to be trying to kill her on a daily basis. The ADI should request records asking about that and any orders the weirdo has placed for voodoo dolls,” said one Pima County resident in Miller’s district.
According to the results of a survey released by Rasmussen Reports, a majority of Republicans think McCain should step down before May 30 to allow Arizona voters to pick his replacement in November.
“The telephone and online survey found that 62 percent of likely GOP voters thought McCain should leave office before May 30 so voters could choose his successor in the next general election,” according to KTAR.
McCain’s family is still demanding a public apology from White House staffer Kelly Sadler for her comment that McCain’s opinion on newly confirmed CIA Director Gina Haspel didn’t matter because, “he is dying anyway.” That painful truth shook McCain’s wife and daughter who are fighting tooth and nail to keep the senator relevant.