Annual Labor Day Family Splash and Craft Show set for Labor Day, on Monday September 4, 2006

Labor Day Family Splash and Craft Show

Location: Pine Island Park (3800 S.W. 92 Avenue)
Date: Monday, September 4, 2006
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Schedule

10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Pool Splash! Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Arts & Crafts Fair (front lawn)

Noon
Davie Police Free Fingerprinting & Photo IDs
Davie Child Safety Information
Face Painting & Sand Art (small fee)
Water Balloon Games
Petting Farm
Free Climbing Wall
Free Bounce Houses and Slide
DJ Music by the pool (to 4:30pm)

12:30 p.m.
Billie Joe Bob Youth Show

1:00 p.m.
Magic Show

2:00 p.m.
Puppet Show

3:00 p.m.
Safari Show

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Pool Party Spash Continues (weather permitting)
Free Movies (in building)

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Bullriding at Davie's Rodeo Arena

I'd be hard pressed to name a place where you'd have more fun on a Saturday night than in Davie's rodeo arena. Especially when it's time for bullriding. The announcer, Norman Edwards, calls that ride on the back of the bull the most dangerous eight seconds in professional sports. He's correct, except that the bulls don't always know it's time to quit when that eight second ride is over.


Video Clip: Bullriding at Davie's rodeo arena. [*click* camcorder icon at left for a 15 second video clip (1.14 MB in MPG format). Broadband connection is hightly recommended. A media player such as the Windows Media Player or WINAMP is also required.]

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Town of Davie Hurricane Advisories Online

The Town of Davie has several Hurricane Ernesto Advisories online. Please visit this section of the Town's website for Hurricane information, most of which applies specifically to Davie Residents.

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Davie Prepares for Hurricane Ernesto

I'm not sure if I should say, "fortunately" or "unfortunately"-- but Davie 's Emergency Management Team has had quite a bit of opportunity to perfect our emergency management planning during the course of the last several years. Today, our emergency plans are well under way. Davie, like all other government bodies in South Florida, is obliged to take action in anticipation of hurricanes well before we know for certain when, where, how (and if) a hurricane will strike. I attended the County Mayors' Emergency Conference Call and County Emergency Conference Call this afternoon.

Davie Information: In anticipation of Hurricane force conditions for tomorrow, all Town of Davie offices will be closed for business at 3 p.m. today, August 28, 2006.

Parks & Recreation: All park facilities will continue to be open today and tonight as regularly scheduled. All park facility will be closed tomorrow.

Bergeron Rodeo Grounds: All activities have been canceled through Thursday at the arena.

Large Animal Program: Effective tomorrow at 12 noon, the Town will open its facility for horses. You must have your horse pre-registered.

Trash Pickup: Trash service will continue on a regular basis for tomorrow, Tuesday, August 29. Service will begin early, so put out your carts tonight after 5 p.m.

Blue Tarp: If you currently have a blue tarp on your roof, the Town of Davie recommends that you carefully consider whether or not you want to evacuate to a more secure building. Only you can make that decision. You should also consider purchasing additional tarps for after the storm. After the storm, there may be a shortage of tarps.

Updated information is available on the Town of Davie Website and directly from the National Hurricane Center.

Map: Projected path of Hurricane Ernesto as of 2 p.m. on August 28, 2006. [*click* map to enlarge]

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Kid's Voting Broward Holds Its Fifth Annual Community Recognition Luncheon In Davie

Today I attended the Kids Voting Broward, Fifth Annual Community Recognition Luncheon.

Kids Voting Broward Mission Statement: Kids Voting Broward, Inc. is working to secure the future of democracy by preparing young people to be educated voters.

"Did you know… Since the legal voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 in 1972, the voter turnout rate among 18-24 year olds has steadily declined. In 1972, 50% of 18 to 24 year olds voted. By the 1996 elections only 32% of young people in that age group turned out at the polls. Turnout among this age group in 1998 was below 20%." (Source: Kid's Voting Broward)

[*click* logo to go to Kid's Voting Broward Website. ]

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U.S. Representative Katherine Harris Visits Davie

Congresswoman Katherine Harris met with a group of Broward County Residents in Davie tonight to discuss her campaign for the United States Senate. She received a warm reception from the large group on hand. Congresswoman Harris' views on many issues line up with most voters in Florida. For example, she has a strong pro-life record. She is a strong supporter of our rights as guarantied in the Constitution, including the Second Amendment. And she is working in Congress toward a solution to the insurance crisis. I'm voting to send Katherine Harris to the United States Senate, and I encourage you to do the same.

Photo: Mayor Tom Truex with Katherine Harris, candidate for the United States Senate. That's the mayor's daughter, and frequent blOg photographer, on the left. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Rev. & Mrs. Harold Taylor Celebrate 50th Anniversary

Recently, Janet and I attended the 50th wedding anniversary of Reverend and Mrs. Harold Taylor. The Taylors have been fixtures in Davie for most of those 50 years. Rev. Taylor served as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Davie (later First Baptist Church of Davie-Cooper City). After "retiring" he served at Garden Baptist Church another dozen years before retiring a second time. Harold and Mary Ann Taylor raised their family and have been active in the life of Davie for decades. They are a good example to all.

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Davie's Town Council Budget Workshop

Last night the Davie Town Council considered the budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2007. It looks like the taxpayers will see another modest ad valorem tax rate decrease this year. I had proposed a 5% ad valorem tax rate decrease, phased in over 5 years. That proposal failed. However the Town Council did give preliminary approval for an ad valorem decrease from 5.100 mils to 5.090 mils.

Other budget highlights include adding 16 additional police officers over last year (8 being added now, and 8 more being funded as unused money in the budget becomes freed up, later in the year). A total of 28 new police officers will be added over the next three years. This plan does not include officers for Broadview Park--if that area is annexed, the number of officers will be increased. The Davie Police Department is by far the largest expense in the Town's budget, accounting for about a third of general fund spending. The next highest area of spending is fire-rescue at about 24% of general fund spending.

One often repeated myth I'd like to put to rest is the claim that the Town Council is or has cut funding for the police department. This claim is false. Repeat--FALSE! The Town Council does not always agree on Town policies. However, we have consistantly expressed our unanimous support for public safety. In cutting the ad valorem tax rate (see above) I proposed that no cuts be considered in the area of public safety. The Town Council agreed unanimously. In fact we increased general fund spending on Law Enforcement Services more than 6% over last year's adjusted budget and almost 17% over the prior year. Frankly, I have no idea where the crazy figures being quoted as "cuts" come from, unless they are considering internal department proposals, which never were approved budgets. That's how they calculate "cuts" in Washington D.C. But in Davie, I wish we'd all agree to use actual budgets, and real amounts.

So, for anyone who still wants a cold hard case of just the facts, click MORE to see the calculations...





More...

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Rare painting of Seminole Chief Micanopy Displayed at AH-TAH-THI-KI Museum

Recently I attended a reception at the display of a rare portrait of Seminole Chief Micanopy (*click* link to see portrait) at the AH-TAH-THI-KI Museum (the name means "A Place to Learn") at the Seminole Tribe's Big Cypress Reservation.

Micanopy led the tribe during the 2nd Seminole war. After seven years of battles against American troops, he was captured and sent to Oklahoma, where he died in January 1849.

Micanopy was painted by Charles Bird King but the original was destroyed in a fire. The tribe acquired a copy that was commissioned in 1832.

The portrait will be displayed at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on the Big Cypress Reservation for three months.

Photo: Inside the AH-TAH-HI-KI Museum at the Big Cypress [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Budget Workshop Scheduled for Monday August 21, 2006 in Town Hall

A Budget Workshop for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 is scheduled for Monday August 21, 2006 in Town Hall. The Davie Town Council will discuss Town spending and tax rates at this meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.

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Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce Monthly Breakfast Meeting

The monthly breakfast meeting of the Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce was sponsored by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Several members of the editorial board explained how the newspaper operates--including their independence from advertisers and their own corporate structure. This was a fascinating presentation, as far as it went. Still, presenting coherent editorial opinions on such a wide array of local, state and national issues must be a huge challenge. I congratulate them for meeting this standard so often.

Photo: Members of the the Sun-Sentinel Editorial Staff. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Mayor Truex Attends Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of the Stirling Florist & Gift Shop on Stirling Road

Recently joined other members of the Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Stirling Florist & Gift Shop.

According to Chamber officials, this is the only flower shop which is a member of our Chamber of Commerce. The owners of this small business are friendly, helpful and knowledgable. The Stirling Florist and Gift Shop is at 6343 Stirling Road, Davie, Florida (located on north side of Stirling Rd east of Davie Road).

Photo: Mayor Tom Truex (far right) Assists with Ribbon Cutting at New Davie Flower Shop on Stirling Road. Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce President, Robert Menconi, is on the far left, with the proud owners of Stirling Florist and Gift Shop preparing to cut the ceremonial ribbon. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie Administration Summarizes Budget Details

Acting Town Administrator Ken Cohen recently issued a Memorandum which summarizes some of the key points in his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2007. Amoung other things, the budget proposes 12 new police officer positions and 9 firefighter/paramedic positions.

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The Agenda for the August 16, 2006 Davie Town Council Meeting is online.

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on August 16, 2006. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items, in which there may be general public interest*:

1. Internal Control Presentation - Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A. Town staff recommends engaging Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A. to perform three vital functions, (1) prepare procedures manuals for certain Town functions and obtain Council approval of the formal policies and procedures, (2) provide training to Town staff on the policies and procedures, (3) provide monitoring services regarding the implementation and continued use for a period of time. (Agenda Item 3.6).
   
2. Insurance for property, auto, general liability and workers'compensation. (Agenda Item 4.5).
   
3. Town Holiday Schedule. (Agenda Item 4.6).
   
4. Selection of a firm for a water and sewer rate study. (Agenda Item 4.15).
   
5. Flamingo Isles Plat, 1380 South Flamingo Road. (Agenda Item 4.20).
   
6. Site Plan Approval, Parc 64 Plaza, south of Stirling Road on Davie Road. From the Staff report: "The subject site is a 2.17-acre parcel of land located on the east side of Davie Road Extension and approximately 750’ south of Stirling Road. The petitioner is proposing a two-story office building and two one-story office buildings. The three buildings total approximately 23,000 sq. ft. in size. The site is zoned B-2, Community Business District, and to the north and south is vacant lots zoned B-2 Community Business District, to the east is the City of Hollywood, and to the west is Broward Motor Sports zoned B-3, Planned Business Center District." (Agenda Item 4.22).
   
7. Capital Projects. Five year capital projects program for the Fiscal Years 2007-2001. (Agenda Item 6.1).
   
8. Rezoning, Rolling Hills Hotel Ltd., 3501 West Rolling Hills Circle. from Planned Residental Development (PRD 6.3) to R-5 (5 residental units per acre) and RM-12 (12 residentail units per acre) (Agenda Item 6.3).
   
9. Rezoning, 1300 Flamingo Road. From A-1 (Agricultural) to RM-5 (5 residential units per acre). (Agenda Item 6.4).
   
10. Vacation: Rolling Hills Hotel Ltd., 3501 West Rolling Hills Circle. From the Staff report: "The petitioner (RHG/TKO II Joint Venture, LLP) proposes to assemble lands in accordance with the master site plan for “The Courtyards at Rolling Hills.” To accommodate the proposed development, a portion of the existing, unused, road right-of-way (Road Parcel)must be vacated and certain utilities relocated. New utility easements will be provided to match the ultimate configuration of the facilities. This vacation request will resolve originally designed road discrepancy and result in the road right-of-way matching the existing road." (Agenda Item 6.5).
    
11. Variance: 4300 South University Drive, to increase an 8 foot fence/wall along a property line of any non-residentially zoned property adjacent to residentially zoned property to 10 feet and to increase an 8 foot masonry wall along the property line to 10 feet. (Agenda Item 6.8).

*Items on the agenda may be tabled. Links to agenda items are PDF files and require a PDF Reader. This blOg does not constitute an official notice of any sort from the Town of Davie. The Agenda items listed above are a partial list of the Agenda. That is, not every item on the Town Council Agenda is listed. If you want information about any particular agenda item, you should consult the official documents provided by the Town Clerk's office.

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Proposed Budget, Part 2 -- Town of Davie, Fiscal Year 2006-2007

Davie's budget, as proposed by Town Administration, isn't dramatically different from years past, when you look at the percentage of spending. However, public safety--Police and Fire-Rescue--now make up about 57% of the proposed total appropriations. When I was first elected to the Town Council in 2001, the percentage spent on these items was only about 50%. The percentage increase also means Davie spends many millions of dollars more on public safety than we did 5 years ago. This increased spending is perfectly appropriate in view of the Town Council's placing such a high priority on public safety.

Photo: Chart Proposed Budget Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2006-2007. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie's Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2006-7 is Released

Town Administration has released a draft proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2007. The summary of revenue in the proposed budget is linked here. It goes without saying, I advocate for lower taxes every year. I am encouraged by comments from other Council Members, which lead me to believe I will have more cooperation in lowering the millage rate than I have had in year's past. That said--there is no such thing as a free lunch. Cutting taxes can be accomplished one of two ways:

1. Increasing revenue. This can be done by increasing fees, or charging users of services in other ways. Actually this is often just a disguise for shifting taxes rather than lowering taxes.
2. Cutting expenses. This is hard to do, but should mean smarter spending rather than cutting important services

One wildly misunderstood/misinterpreted factor is the role of real estate property taxes. When the county property appraiser reported Davie's taxable value this year, many folks seized on the percentage increase as reported as evidence that we should decrease our property millage rate by the same percentage. In this case, simple mathematics trumps first impressions. Here's why:

1. Apparently the increase in taxable values widely reported in the news media for Davie included values for recently annexed areas. That is, they were comparing this year's total value including annexations to last year's total value not including annexations. The amount of the increase was widely overstated in the newspapers.
   
2. Advalorem property taxes account only for 36% of Davie's General Fund budget.
3. The "General Fund" budget only accounts for 79% of "All Revenue Funds" budgeted in Davie
   
4. Therefore, advalorem taxes account for only 36% of 79%--meaning that advalorem property taxes account for only 28% of all revenue funds. Or to put it another way, the increased value of a Davie's resident's home just does not translate into a huge perentage increase in revenues for the Town

When you add to this the skyrocketing expenses faced by the Town, it's easier to see why it doesn't take long for a perceived government windfall to evaporate rather quickly. In fact, at recent meeting of county mayors, most of them seemed to think their communities would realize no tax cut.

I encourage Davie residents to attend our upcoming budget workshops and meetings.

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Florida Department of Transportation Considers a New Turnpike Interchange at Stirling Road

Yesterday the Florida Department of Transportation conducted an informal presentation of preliminary plans to construct a new Turnpike interchange* at Stirling Road. The idea is to create an outlet for the trafic which must now enter the Turnpike at either Griffin Road or Hollywood Blvd. A large part of that traffic is generated by the Seminole casino at Stirling Road and the Turnpike. The additional interchange would, in theory, remove the incentive for the high volume of "cut-through" traffic on Davie's local neighborhood streets.

As in the past, I believe the Davie Town Council will look at this proposal cautiously, with a view toward advocating that the benefits outweigh the negative effect of any change.

*click this link for a 0.6 MB PDF file

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Davie Connections to Miramar High School's Class of 1976

A number of people who live and work in Davie also graduated from Miramar High School. The MHS class of 1976 held its 30 year class reunion in Hollywood this past weekend. Renee Schreck, pictured at left, is the daughter of the late Sid Wolfman, who many people remember as a long time Davie employee. And, I ran into Grace Hall at the reunion too. Grace, who is an official in Davie's Development Services Department, was in MHS class of 1978, but married a 1976 graduate, John Hall. Small world.

Photo: (from left) Mayor Tom Truex, Davie's Chief Structural Inspector Brian Dillon, and Renee Schreck--all Graduates of Miramar High School in 1976. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Back to School Supplies Distributed in Davie Palma Nova Mobile Home Park by Calvary Chapel, Ft. Lauderdale

Calvary Chapel, Ft. Lauderdale, teamed up with Firewall Ministries to provide backpacks and other school supplies to families in Davie's Palma Nova Mobile Home Park (formerly Silver Oaks.) Food items were supplied as well. And Pastor Ander Fernandez delivered a homily during the festivities as well.

Photo: Pastor Andy Fernandez (far right), of Firewall Ministries, speaks to the crowd assembled at Palma Nova Mobile Home Park. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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South Florida Mayors Meet with Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, J. Dennis Hastert, and Congressman E. Clay Shaw

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with Congressmen J. Dennis Hastert and E. Clay Shaw, together with Broward County Commissioner Jim Scott and about ten other Mayors from Broward and Palm Beach Counties. This was a bipartisan meeting, with considerably more local leaders from the political party of which these congressmen are not members. In counties as diverse as Palm Beach and Broward Counties, Congressman Shaw, in particular, has always reached out in serving the best interests of his constituants. In fact, its amazing to me that local leaders--when in a non partisan forum--almost universally praise Congressman Shaw for his success in serving the best interests of South Florida.

As a local elected official, this was a rare opportunity to make a point with two of the most influential leaders in the free world. I inquired about our region's looming hurricane insurance meltdown. Congressman Shaw indicated he is working with Congress to craft a federal insurance solution to help regions prone to certain types of disaster. Returning Congressman Shaw to Congress next year ought to be a priority for all of the residents of South Florida so that he can use his considerable influence to help resolve this insurance crisis, as well as other issues unique to our region of the the Country.

Photo: Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, J. Dennis Hastert, at the Downtown Campus of Florida Atlantic University. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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National Night Out Was On July 31, 2006

The Town of Davie has concentrated on public safety for the past several years, investing our efforts and your tax dollars on police and fire-rescue. "National Night Out" is a chance to display some of our police resources for residents, and for police and Davie residents to interact. Although we have an excellent police force, citizen participation is a key ingredient in maintaining law and order.

Photo: Mayor Tom Truex, speaking to Sharon Lawson of Channel 6 News at National Night Out. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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National Night Out a Big Success in Davie

"National Night Out" was a big success in Davie again this year, as residents gathered with officers at the Davie Police Department on Nob Hill Road. Maintaining a good relationship with the community is a big part of the job for Davie Police.

Photo: Davie K-9 officer displays a training exercise with his dog. This dog was born and received his initial training in the Netherlands. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Broadview Park Annexation Talks Take an Unexpected Turn

Last night's workshop on the Broadview Park Annexation issue was resolved with a hopeful sign. Faced with multi-million dollar, multi-year obligations, the Davie Town Council refused to blindly sign on to the proposal offered by Broward County.

The Town's Summary of Revenues and Expenses projects a first year shortfall (i.e. Expenses minus Revenues) of $3,879,453.84. My personal opinion is that the actual figure would be much higher. since (1) known expenses have a way of often coming in higher than anticipated and (2) there are always unknown/unanticipated expenses which drive totals higher.

My objection to the Broadview Park Annexation has been based on economics. Councilmembers who state that Davie residents want to annex Broadview Park have almost certainly not burdened their informants with the facts. That is, the annexation would almost certainly lead to higher taxes and/or lower services for existing Davie residents. These are exactly the reasons why other neighboring cities have fought being forced to pay huge losses through an annexation.

However, I supported a suggestion by Councilmember Brian Caletka to condition our annexation of Broadview Park on Broward County giving us economic incentives to absorb this area into Davie. Basically, here's what we are proposing:

1. Interlocal Agreement: The county must approve all of the language in our last counter-proposal for interlocal agreement. Among other things, the agreement spells out the County's obligations for ongoing capital improvements and maintenance of infrastructure and parks.
   
2. Compliance: Broward County must post bonds sufficient to guaranty completion of ongoing capital improvements, to insure Davie taxpayers are not forced to complete items started by the county.
   
3. Financial incentives: Broward County must agree to pay Davie $3,879,453.84 the first year the annexation becomes effective to reimburse Davie for operating deficits and first year startup costs (for example, buying new police cars for the area). After the first year, the county would reimburse anticipated operating deficits through the year 2015. In the first year, the projected deficit would be $2,249,138.79. Subsequent years will be calculated by Davie Town Staff, so we don't know the exact amounts yet. It will be many millions of dollars over the life of the agreement.

Frankly I was surprised to learn from Councilmember Caletka that the County would entertain such an arrangement. However, he assured us that, based on conversations he had with State Representative Tim Ryan and County Commissioner John Rodstrom, those governmental entities were so anxious for a disposition of this financially challenged area, that financial incentives along these lines may be quite acceptable. If the county absorbs the tremendous deficits associated with an annexation, then I'm willing to move forward. Although Davie's proposal only compensates us through 2015, other Council members are convinced that the area can be sufficiently redeveloped within that time to turn around its revenue shortfall. I have my doubts on this theory--but acknowledge anything is possible in this regard. Broadview Park residents do need to understand however, that any Davie annexation assumes the complete redevelopment of their neighborhoods. That is, for the area to reach a revenue break-even point by 2015, Broadview park as it exists today would be almost completely torn down and rebuilt in the same manner as Davie's proposed Traffic Oriented Corridor (TOC) along US 441. A big difference between Broadview Park and Davie's proposed TOC is that the TOC means, for the most part, replacing industrial uses. In Broadview Park, we'd be mainly tearing down and replacing residences--people's homes. How (if) this can be carried out is still a big question with me, since the government power to take homes for redevelopment is extremely limited, even if the Town chose to pursue that avenue. Incidently, I wouldn't advise residents to count on a big payout for the value of their homes if they plan on purchasing comparable housing anywhere in the region.

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