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• Frank Coffey, 5015 Fairway Circle, opened a newspaper with headlines of "Too old to work at the polls" written in Miami. He specified that if we did not have senior citizens we would not have anyone working at the polls. He noted he had lived in Florida for 6 years, worked 8 elections, and the recent primary election was the best one because Supervisor of Elections Kay Clem and her excellent staff did an outstanding job. The reasons were the past experience of Mrs Clem and her support staff, the selection of proper voting equipment, technical help from the manufacturer's (Sequoia) representatives and their trouble shooting manual for all poll workers. He noted there were an adequate number of poll workers who received training as well as a comprehensive manual in which all the processes needed were found. There were extensive education programs and demonstrations for the public at various locations using a mock election. During the election, help was just a telephone connection away with just one number to call on the cell phone provided to each precinct Each precinct had a printed index of all voters for assistance. Each precinct was required to advise by 6:30 a.m. on Election Day whether all machines were ready. Many voters were pleased with the new machines and voting process. He strongly recommended the Board present an "Award of Excellence" to Mrs. Clem and her staff for their outstanding performance for the Primary Election held in Indian River County on September 10, 2002. (CLERK'S DOTE: MR. COFFEY'S HANDWRITTEN REMARKS ARE ON FILE WITH THE BACKUP IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD.) Commissioner Ginn advised that she had spoken with Phil Long of The Miami Herald who told her that the big problem in Miami -Dade County was not so much the new machines, but inadequate training of the poll workers. She was proud of Indian River County's active seniors. She thought Mr Coffey had made an excellent suggestion. • September 17, 2002 63