Wellington recount reverses two of three races
by George Bennett | March 19th, 2012Two of the three winners in last week’s Wellington elections were incorrectly certified, a recount tonight shows. The recount came after elections officials realized a programming glitch had assigned the wrong vote totals to each candidate.
Councilman Matt Wilhite, who had been declared a narrow loser to Al Paglia last Tuesday, actually got 58 percent, according to tonight’s recount. Paglia has already been certified the victor, so Wilhite will likely have to go to court to overturn the result.
John Greene also got more votes than Shauna Hostetler, the recount says, reversing the apparent outcome last week.
Bob Margolis is still the mayor-elect, but his 58 percent margin is now only 50.6 percent over incumbent Darrell Bowen.
March 19th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
This has me rolling on the floor, LAUGHING!!!
March 19th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
I am not sure if I should congratulate Mr.Willhite or just move to Vero Beach.
I am bewildered on how our oounty could mess this election up again. As we now get ready to be the toast of all the late nite talk shows once again.
Just lets the courts figure it out and let the Inspector General office investigate the elections office – I give up.
Al Paglia
March 19th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
The only thing funnier is a 28 year old kid, hired by his Daddy, with no experience, a degree in film making and some questionable internet links gets the most votes in a first round election in North Palm Beach. Maybe it is time to check those results.
March 19th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Al– your frustration is understandable. Demand a recount and an investigation all the time making it clear that you will do the right thing and concede to Mr. Wilhite if he won. Do not insist on this office based on the the election being legally “certified”. Ms Bucher is toast in the next election and you could run for that spot.
March 19th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
On behalf of all of the voters who voted to preserve Wellington, we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. We are hopeful that the rightful candidates will assume their positions and begin to focus on the issues that made this election a historic one. We will be carefully watching to ensure that the candidates that the voters elected are able to take their rightful seats and bring integrity and transparency back to Wellington.And we congratulate Mayor Bob Margolis and Councilmen Matt Willhite and John Greene on their victories.
- Taxpayers for Integrity in Government
March 19th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Al I would think that while it is disappointing you care more about Wellington than to run to Vero Beach.
March 19th, 2012 at 10:10 pm
Let’s just hope that the Village manager doesn’t rush to put items on the agenda for the current council to pass while we wait for the court system to resolve this problem.
How long will this current council be able to vote until the new council is seated…weeks, months?
Watch the agenda items, there’s a council workshop on Monday (when the faux winners would have been sworn in), let’s see what happens.
March 19th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Shame on you, Mr. Paglia! Your comments on this forum are shameful and only serve to reinforce why the people of Wellington voted against you. Go ahead and move to Vero.
March 20th, 2012 at 12:04 am
It is almost like the hanging chad episode, but I am so happy that Wilhite and Greene got elected. Just hope we won’t have to go through a long court battle over this, wasting everyone’s time and money. Let’s move forward with as much grace and dignity as we can muster. The erroneous “winners”, once satisfied that the recount is correct, should have the class to concede their races. I believe they will do that, and we can move on.
March 29th, 2012 at 7:05 am
Cool learned something newhere now I’m fulfilled for this week. Best Wishes!
March 30th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
Wow Mr. Paglia. Your comments disgust me, as they should the rest of our village. As far as your move to Vero: The SOONER the BETTER! The fact that you don’t have the decency to stand up for the village and congratulate your opponent, shows why the majority of villagers voted against you. PWF had the rite idea when they decided who to back in this election. It only goes to show that they really were aiming for integrity in the village, and were not just paid lobbyist representing personal interest. They have us 1 step back in the rite direction, unlike we would have been if your results were not questioned. You will never have the integrity to represent our village in my opinion.