GOOD PLANNING OR GOOD LUCK? WE'LL TAKE BOTH

posted by Michael Chihak

Arizona Week's story focusing on how the 15 counties in the state are coping financially presented us with a significant logistical issue.

The concept was to look at the big picture situation across the state and then focus on a couple of counties, one urban and one rural. But how to do so and capture county officials on camera without having to drive hither and yon was the dilemma.

That is, until Craig Sullivan of the County Supervisors Association of Arizona entered the picture. A Tuesday call to Sullivan was part of the routine, requesting that he appear on camera. He said he preferred that the association's president, Navajo County Board of Supervisors Chairman David Tenney, speak for the group.

How to get Tenney without a drive to Show Low was the question. But not for long.

"He will be in Phoenix later this week for our board meeting, as will supervisors from all over the state," Sullivan said. He then proceeded to set up interviews for us with Tenney and Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Andy Kunasek for Thursday after the association board meeting.

Tenney, speaking for the association and giving the big picture, plus being from a rural county, filled two of the three needs for the story. Kunasek, from the biggest county, fulfilled the third.

And with all counties working on their budgets -- Maricopa County gave tentative approval to its this week; Pima County did the same last week -- the time is right for the story.

We were prepared to do it and were favored by the fortune of having the key people to talk to in one convenient place at the same time.

Watch Friday at 8:30 p.m. MST on PBS HD, or catch it at www.azweek.com.