Foes get free reign to rap Anderson at Democrat forum

Published June 26th, 2008

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

The two challengers to Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Arthur Anderson got free rein to rap the incumbent at a forum Tuesday night sponsored by the Boca Delray Democratic Club.

Anderson was overseeing the ballot count of a special election in West Palm Beach – the first balloting to use the county’s new optical scan machines.  The moderator said Anderson said he had called and would try to make it, but did not attend.

His two challengers, state Rep. Susan Bucher, an eight-year member of the House who is term limited, and Wellington Village Council member Bob Margolis, spent much of the night touting personal credentials.  But they did take exception with some things Anderson is doing.

Both criticized him for removing his budget from the oversight of Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Sharon Bock.  The challengers also felt poll workers need more training, and felt Anderson should prove the public with training on the new optical scan system.

Bucher said she served on the state Ethics and Election Commission following the 2000 presidential election ballot count fiasco that delayed Florida’s results for 37 days.  “I believe we need accuracy and integrity,” she said. “I believe we need to bring transparency.”

A six-year member of the village council, the last two as vice mayor, Margolis has spent nearly 25 years working for Proctor & Gamble, and said he would bring business procedures to the office of elections boss.  “I have management skills and training skills,’ he said. “I will training and provide customer service.”

The supervisor post is a non-partisan position, but the candidates, both Democrats, said they have experience dealing with Republicans. “In the House, I was known for being very honest and working hard – not just by Democrats or Republicans, but by everyone,” said Bucher.

Margolis said he is the only Democrat on the five-member council.  He said he has “reached across the table” many times to work for passage of bills.

Anderson, Bucher and Margolis will face each other in the Aug. 26 non-partisan primary.