| Name: |
HOT ROD
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/5/2011 5:34:00 PM
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Geez, what a mess. So they wanted to get rid of the one sweeping curve, and in doing so have created at least two curves that are far more dangerous than that one ever was. And, they have created an entrance/exit to the Crossroads that is so dangerous that they might as well build a trauma center right there next to Catherine's.
It's one thing to want a vanity highway. It's another to build that vanity highway without having the first clue as to what you're doing. Nice work, Mr. B. How many millions did you spend to make things worse this time?
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| Name: |
dmoore86
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/5/2011 6:42:37 PM
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SPOT ON. ONE OF THE CRAZIEST THINGS AND WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY THAT I'VE EVER SEEN! WHAT A MESS!
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/5/2011 7:34:28 PM
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I agree that right now it is downright dangerous. But isn't that just temporary? I thought they were straightening out.
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| Name: |
alahusker
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/5/2011 8:42:22 PM
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Hey guys, Your federal dollars working to stimulate the economy on shovel ready projects.. what's the problem?? Y'all voted for this bunch of loons in Washington.. We just pay the bill..
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| Name: |
lakeguy
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/5/2011 9:03:41 PM
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as I understood the explanation, this is temporary while they clear out the old road. maybe we should wait till it is complete before we start such accusations? I think I will wait.
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| Name: |
Wakely
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/6/2011 2:51:26 AM
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As I understand it, NO state or federal money was involved; Russell Lands got permission from the highway to do the work at their own expense.
That means their money, their engineers, their crews... quite possibly the whole thing was conceived, designed, paid for and built by people who had never done work like this before.
But as a taxpayer, no one should worry about watching their money go to waste. But if you store your boat at a Russell Marina, if you buy gas at a Russell Marina, if you shop at Catherine's or eat at Springhouse, or if you rent a Russell cabin, or live in a Russell development... keep in mind that they have to cover the expenses somehow, and the easiest way is to charge YOU more for goods and services that have nothing to do with the road.
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| Name: |
froghog
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/6/2011 7:25:12 AM
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Right on Lakeguy. I will also wait and see before I accuse.
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| Name: |
Rooster
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/6/2011 7:50:16 AM
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Believe Wakely is correct! That whole mess belongs to Russell Lands for a turn lane to Catherine's and the other soon to be subdivision or whatever it will be.
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| Name: |
UncleSam
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/6/2011 11:18:46 AM
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The long-term plan might be for a road that is better than what they have right now. But for those of us who have to drive on it right now it is an accident waiting to happen; many accidents, probably. So you can understand why we're more concerned with the life-threatening situation that exists NOW, and not thinking only of the rosy situation that MIGHT exist LATER.
And considering how long it has taken them just to get to this point, it's not unreasonable to expect that the road will exist in its present condition for a long, long time.
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| Name: |
George
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/6/2011 1:42:58 PM
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Perhaps someone out there knows the facts. If so, please share. One fact is that the State of Alabama does not build highways. They call for bids, award contracts, supervise and inspect. I heard, and this is not a fact, That the original contractor that got the contract went bankrupt and forfeited their bond. That's why work stopped for a long time. A new contractor was to be picked to finish the job. I haven't been by there lately during working hours so I don't know if it's restarted yet. I don't believe the State would allow a company that's not a licensed road builder like Russell Lands to build a highway.
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| Name: |
Rooster
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/6/2011 2:51:01 PM
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Just seems awful strange that the curve at Ourtown has been there forever, but no one has bothered to " straighten it out ". All of the work done or being done on hwy 63 is at a Russell Lands developement. Money talks. Saying that, I'm heading to lake to spend some of my money on gas for the boat and one or two brewskies for me. Ya'll have a great weekend and be safe. By the way, I'm going up 49.
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| Name: |
froghog
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/6/2011 5:44:01 PM
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First, It is a big PITA to have any road or highway under construction.
Second, If you can't negotiate the turns at the POSTED 25 MPH you shouldn't have a license. The warning signs are posted well in advance of the work area.
Third, I drive it everyday at lest 2 times. It is under construction now full time and plenty of work has been done by the second contractor after they took over. Russell owns both sides of the road around the work site and they donated the land to the state for this change.
Forth, I think the turn onto 63 from Windermere Road was very unsafe. In the last 5 years there have been at least 2 accidents at that intersection that I know of.
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| Name: |
Wakely
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/6/2011 6:18:23 PM
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Russell owns both sides of the road around the work site and they donated the land to the state for this change.
They requested that the change be made, and agreed to pay for it, so "donating" the land that they wanted to use for the change isn't quite as generous as it sounds.
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| Name: |
alahusker
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/6/2011 6:41:05 PM
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Well guys let's think this thru.. Is Highway 63 a County road?? I don't think so, don't have a map and live on the other side of the lake so what do I know?? Been on the road recently, had a unremarkable dinner at Spring House.. So If it's not county road 63, is it a State road?? Yup, think so.. And I might ask, because I really don't know; did this
project get Federal stimulus bucks ? I just don't know; however if our tax dollars are paying for this thing, do you feel warm and fuzzy?? Just asking.. .
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| Name: |
muddauber
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/7/2011 8:47:58 AM
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I would imagine there is a grant in there for the road. Closer to AC Evers got a grant for that subdivision infrastructure a few years back. Frankly, if the funds are there, I would hope our people get them and use them here rather than we miss out and they go to other counties/states. The South is growing and we need to upgrade our infrastructure asap lest we wind up both having to pay for it ourselves and after the fact making it more expensive and disrupting.
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
A Summary Question
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Date:
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5/7/2011 10:58:05 AM (updated 5/7/2011 11:02:49 AM)
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First of all, this is the first I have heard of this problem since the closest we usually get to that part of 63 is the golf cart that brings us from the lake to Catherine's... That being said, a lot of the posts I see here refer to Russell donating the property...paying for the changes...etc.
Question is this: Since it is a State Highway (AL 63) is it not the state highway department's responsibility to ensure any changes that are made are safe, and thus do they not have the authority to buy off on any plans for change, no matter who donates the land and pays for the construction.?
As far as I am concerned if the state highway department let Russell do whatever they want, without highway department approval of the plans, they have abrogated their responsibility to ensure our highways are safe and someone's "head should roll" (in quotes to be PC and ensure it is taken as a figure of speech, since I can't say that or or would be accused of wanting to kill someone in the highway dept).
Just sayin'
Nasreddin Hodja
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/8/2011 11:49:23 AM
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Only temporary to provide turn lanes for Catherines market, Springhouse and what is to come. While not ideal right now, it will be great when finished, much safer and be a huge improvement for the area ... as was the addition of catherines and Springhouse ... but we need one or two more restaurants.
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| Name: |
jalcz
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/8/2011 8:00:35 PM
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I tried to pick up a few things at Catherine's once, but it was taking too long to complete the paperwork for the second mortgage I had to take out to pay for it.
And the one time I tired to eat at Springhouse, they cancelled my reservation because someone more important needed the table.
So they can put in 10 turn lanes, but I won't be using them.
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| Name: |
luv2tan
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| Subject: |
(OFFICIAL STATE RESPONSE) The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/9/2011 1:03:13 PM
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So here is your answer from Mr. Leonard, state employee that I spoke w/ just now.
The right of way was donated from Russell and that's it. The state of AL paid (THAT WOULD BE US!) paid for everything else.
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| Name: |
alabound
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/9/2011 1:04:07 PM
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Some people just like to gripe before they know the whole story. I for one welcome improvements on this side of the lake and realize that things cost more out in the country. It's a business that supports a lot of families. It's usually people on the other side of the lake complaining!
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| Name: |
alabound
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/9/2011 1:08:53 PM
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I agree. There's a lot of class/this and that side of the lake going on here! Slow the heck down! Love Catherine's, the new stable, Spring House and I think the area will be great!
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| Name: |
jalcz
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| Subject: |
(OFFICIAL STATE RESPONSE) The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/9/2011 2:03:27 PM
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So I paid for a turn lane that wasn't needed and that I'll never use? Not surprised. But I guess this waste of money is still less wasteful than Ben's Bridge to Nowhere.
It's almost like living in a monarchy. It doesn't matter how much of a half-wit the king is; he still gets what he wants because he's related to someone who used to be important.
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| Name: |
luv2tan
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| Subject: |
(OFFICIAL STATE RESPONSE) Cost around $4 Million
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Date:
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5/9/2011 4:23:30 PM
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Here is the letting (bid) for the job and link
http://alletting.dot.state.al.us/Prior%20Lettings/2009%20Prior%20Letting/September_25_Letting_2009/NTC092509.HTM#CALL063
063 . STPOA-0063(500)
COUNTY: TALLAPOOSA LENGTH: 1.155 MILES
RELOCATION (GRADE, DRAINAGE, PAVEMENT AND BRIDGE CULVERT)
ON SR-63 FROM THE ELMORE COUNTY LINE TO SOUTH OF O.Z. HALL ROAD
1. REID CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. $ 3,856,802.14
146 EDGE ROAD
VILLA RICA , GA 30180
2. W. S. NEWELL, INC. $ 3,925,906.31
10480 HIGHWAY 80 EAST
MONTGOMERY , AL 36117-0000
3. TOMLIN CONSTRUCTION, LLC $ 4,435,752.01
145 TUSCALOOSA ROAD
GORDO , AL 35466
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| Name: |
alahusker
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| Subject: |
(OFFICIAL STATE RESPONSE) Cost around $4 Million
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Date:
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5/9/2011 6:46:29 PM
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Excellent job of journalist investigation. Amazing what can be discovered if one is interested. the forum rocks, doing the stuff the media is too lazy to do.. Now, I wonder if Rep Mike Rodgers, is interested in this site?? Possibly we should ask him?? I still would be interested to know the accounting on this.. specifically, how much federal 'stimulus' for shovel ready projects was involved in a project I assume we generally view as questionable?? Might research the State and County processes for the project also.. but hey, It's just 4 million.. WSFA, have anyone interested?? (Guess they don't do that kinda stuff.. too bad.) Let's ask Mike??
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/9/2011 9:04:54 PM
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Oh come on ... Catherines is not that expensive. They are a bit higher than traditional high volume grocery stores ... but good selection and good quality and you do not have to drive 10 miles in to alex city. I really like them and try to support all i can. Actually if you go for their meat specials ... i find the prices pretty much on par with what i would pay in Atlanta.
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
The "new" Highway 63
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Date:
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5/9/2011 9:41:11 PM
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Agree. Catherine's is not Wal Mart, and a leisurely boat ride from Parker Creek to the Russel dock, followed by a sometimes adventuresome golf cart ride up the hill and visit to Catherine's is worth the extra shekels. They do have a very good selection of items not found at Wally World or Winn Dixie, and it is a fun place to shop. Wine selection is good as well.
Also agree about their meat. We bought some of their home made spicy Italian sausage that was really good...and with the Arrabiata sauce and some of their "gourmet" pasta made a fine dinner back at the cabin that was true to the name Arrabiata - "Angry Pasta".
I made the trek by land from our cabin one time....17 miles one way...through some Coosa County backroads that I may not be able to find again - not something we would do regularly, but when the wild hair makes its way up a certain portal...it is a fun ride.
Haven't yet sampled Springhouse, as the reviews are mixed. One day we will.
Nasreddin Hodja
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