Archives : By Month : May 2005
100 Business in 100 Business Days
The Office
On May 25, I completed my promise to visit 100 businesses in my first 100 business days in office with my 114th business visit to Thortex. This archive chronicles my experiences getting to know the vibrant local business community and hearing from them how City Hall can do things better.
Posted by The Office on May 30, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses
Music, Education and Success
Jesse BeasonSam and I attended the Music Education Appreciation Awards on May 27. Sam was invited to speak about the importance of music education. (See his speech below.) A student of the piano and trumpet, Sam had plenty to say. As the person researching the speech--and unable to play a lick--I...
Posted by Jesse Beason on May 27, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Speeches & Testimony
Venture Philanthropy and City Hall
Maria Thi Mai'Take responsibility and help others do the same' has been my personal motto since I was 16 and I read it in a Reader’s Digest while waiting for my laundry to dry in a Eugene, Oregon laundromat. These were Sam's opening lines at the Social Ventrues Partners annual meeting held...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on May 26, 2005
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Filed Under Events, Livability & Environment
Think Local First
Maria Thi MaiSam and I stopped by the Think Local First monthly meeting at Al Java, 4502 NE 42nd Ave., on May 26, 2005. Think Local First recognizes that local, independent businesses are the backbone of our economy and Sam is all about creating and sustaining businesses and jobs. This lively group...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on May 26, 2005
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Filed Under Events
Opposing federal cuts in affordable housing
Jesse BeasonAfter asking how our office might best share our opposition to federal cuts in housing, Affordable Housing Now!, a coalition of organizations advocating for reducing our region's supply of affordable housing, let us know that cities had begun to pass resolutions against the cuts in vital programs like Section 8...
Posted by Jesse Beason on May 26, 2005
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Filed Under Housing, Our Initiatives
Thortex plans on more jobs
Maria Lynn LimThe Business Journal of Portland, May 25, 2005 - Thortex Inc., a medical device manufacturer, will add 60 jobs when it expands its Northeast Portland facility. The expansion will bring the company's Portland employment count to 230 jobs. Thortex President David Walker made the announcement Wednesday with City Commissioner Sam Adams.
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on May 26, 2005
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Filed Under Jobs & Economy, News, Northeast Portland
100 Day Celebration at Roots
Maria Thi MaiNearly 200 people helped us celebrate our first 100 days in office. In these first few months, Sam increased the neighborhood and small business district grants by $100,000. He also rejected city bureau proposed cuts that affected frontline services such as street repairs, graffiti removal and downtown retail marketing. While...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on May 25, 2005
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Filed Under Events
What If We Could Fight Both Meth and Crack?
Jane AmesOregonian column by S. Renee Mitchell on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 Whenever Northeast Portland activist Richard Brown attends a meeting about neighborhood crime, he waits to hear the word: methamphetamine, which has wrestled our otherwise civil citizens -- some as young as age 12 and 13 -- into a kind...
Posted by Jane Ames on May 25, 2005
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Filed Under News, Our Initiatives, Public Safety
New Taskforce will explore Lease to Own options
Warren JimenezToday, City Council unanimously approved forming an interagency Affordable Workspace Ownership Taskforce. This Taskforce will create a set of initiatives that will increase the availability of affordable owner-occupied workspace...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 25, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Jobs & Economy
David Walker, President of Thortex Inc. Speaks
Warren JimenezDavid Walker, Thortex Inc.REMARKSMay 25, 2005 Wow. I’d like to thank everyone for being here today and showing up for this event. It’s great to be standing up here today – to be in a position where we can announce that we are expanding and employing more people because of...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 25, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Jobs & Economy, Northeast Portland, Speeches & Testimony
Sam ends first 100 days with job expansion
Warren Jimenez
...Sometimes it seems like we hear nothing but bad news about Portland’s reputation as a place to do business. But this is a day for good news. Thortex is an American success story. Dave and Kathy Walker mortgaged their home and started a business in their garage, manufacturing high quality surgical implants...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 25, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Northeast Portland, Speeches & Testimony
Sam Adams on Bike to Work Week
Maria Lynn LimArticle from BTA Publication, May 24, 2005 May is nationally recognized as Bike to Work Month and here in Portland, May 16-20 was Bike to Work Week. Helping wrap up local bike week events, Commissioner Sam Adams celebrated Lloyd District TMA's Bike to Work Day on Friday. Following his ride...
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on May 25, 2005
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Filed Under News, Transportation
Adams hits 100th day in office at full gait, looking for his stride
Maria Lynn LimThe Oregonian, May 24, 2005 - The quintessential moment of Sam Adams' first 100 business days in office came during a routine city budget work session. Adams was seeking money for one of his many projects, explaining to his colleagues on the Portland City Council that the initiative was good for small businesses, good for Portland as a whole -- and a promise he'd made during his 2004 campaign. Nancy Hamilton, the mayor's chief of staff, broke in with a question: Would it be possible for Adams to give the mayor and other commissioners a list of all of Adams' campaign promises, so that they know what's coming?...It is, after all, an awfully long list.
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on May 25, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Front Page, Jobs & Economy, News
Economic Dashboard in Progress
Diane WaltonThe Dream Team (a stellar and wide-ranging --meaning they don't agree on everything-- group of economists and policy experts) met with Commissioner Adams again on Friday, May 20, to wrestle with the mountains of data that confront us all as we work toward creating a healthy and resilient economy for...
Posted by Diane Walton on May 23, 2005
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Filed Under Jobs & Economy
Cases pit Measure 37 against nature
Mary Jo MarkleArticle in the Portland Tribune, May 20, 2005 Here’s a quick public policy quiz. Which is stronger? Measure 37 or Portland’s environmental rules? That’s the question city officials started looking at during a Thursday work session. Aides said commissioners could deny Measure 37 claims that are based on city environmental...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on May 20, 2005
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Filed Under Livability & Environment, News
Plan pushes small firms to buy offices
Mary Jo MarkleArticle from the Oregonian, May 20, 2005 Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams, on a continuing campaign for business causes, wants to find a way to help small-business owners buy the offices they work in. Adams has toured businesses as part of his early-term pledge to help create jobs in Portland....
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on May 20, 2005
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Filed Under Jobs & Economy, News, Our Initiatives
100 days, a hundred projects
Maria Lynn LimThe Portland Tribune, May 20, 2005 - There’s been no water bureau scandal, no face-off with angry neighbors and no controversy over open reservoirs for Commissioner Sam Adams. Yet. A hundred days into his term, the freshman councilman is still enjoying his honeymoon phase at City Hall...
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on May 20, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Jobs & Economy, News
Sam votes to approve Voter Owned Elections
Mary Jo MarkleThe following is Commissioner Adams' letter regarding Voter Owned Elections: On May 18, 2005, with my support, City Council approved Voter Owned Elections. These campaign finance reforms provide limited public funding for qualifying city candidates’ campaigns. I believe these reforms will enable more qualified candidates to run for office. Candidates...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on May 19, 2005
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Filed Under Good Government
Pride Before the Fall
Mary Jo MarkleThe Portland Mercury, May 19, 2005 - Perhaps in the long run, Portland Development Commission's botched--and still pending--development decision over the Burnside Bridgehead will turn out to be just what the city needed. For years, community leaders have lamented that PDC is a freewheeling agency--more accountable to their own ambitions and egos than the city's best interests...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on May 19, 2005
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Filed Under Good Government, Jobs & Economy, News
Saltzman plan puts new spin on cell tax
Mary Jo MarkleArticle in the Oregonian, May 19, 2005 Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman wants to use a proposed wireless phone tax to help public schools, something that's sure to please many parents and teachers but has already infuriated one of his City Hall colleagues. Saltzman had opposed the idea of a...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on May 19, 2005
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Filed Under News
Portland's final budget saves some programs
Mary Jo MarkleArticle in the Oregonian, May 19, 2005 The Portland City Council approved its desk-rattling $2.7 billion budget on Wednesday, but not before slipping in last-minute money for an arts center and skateboard parks. The council also is considering a 5.9 percent increase in residential sewer rates and an average 0.6...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on May 19, 2005
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Filed Under News, Our Initiatives
Portland OKs campaign cash
Mary Jo MarkleArticle from the Oregonian, May 19, 2005 Starting with the 2006 election, candidates for Portland mayor, commissioner and auditor can receive taxpayer money for their campaigns. The Portland City Council voted 4-1 Wednesday to become the first city in the nation to offer comprehensive public campaign financing. That means candidates...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on May 19, 2005
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Filed Under Good Government, News
100 Business Days Event
The OfficeWednesday, May 25 Now that Sam has finished visiting over 100 businesses in 100 days, he wants to celebrate - with you!
Posted by The Office on May 18, 2005
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Filed Under Events
Heritage Consulting Services
Ben DuPreeI visited John Tess and Rob Mawson, the President and Vice-President of Heritage, respectively, and they told me about their current endeavors across our city. Heritage works to restore historic buildings across Portland; some of their past projects include Tariff Building and the Ecotrust Natural Capital Center. Currently, Heritage is...
Posted by Ben DuPree on May 16, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Northwest Portland
3 Public Communications
Ben DuPree“Than” Clevenger, CEO of 3 Public Communications, had a positive experience in moving to Portland from Washington D.C. He believed that our city has a lot to offer both individuals and businesses. In the past, Than served as a speechwriter for former United States Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W....
Posted by Ben DuPree on May 16, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Northwest Portland
Sam Adams visits Think Local First
Maria Lynn LimArticle from News4Neighbors, May 13, 2005 Councilman Sam Adams turned up at the Ecotrust building Thursday to help support the Think Local First campaign that's being run by the Sustainable Business Network of Portland. The Thursday Meet and Greet event was sponsored by World Cup Coffee and Hot Lips Pizza...
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on May 16, 2005
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Filed Under Jobs & Economy, News
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)
Maria Thi MaiOn Saturday, May 14, 2005 Commissioner Adams spoke to more than 75 community leaders at IRCO's Celebrating Success Conference. His speech is presented here. Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) Thank you for inviting me to speak with you this morning. I am honored. Allow me to personally thank Mr....
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on May 14, 2005
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Filed Under Speeches & Testimony
Business # 111: Nike
Warren Jimenez“Based on the ECONorthwest Economic Impact Study released in February 2004, we generate 16,000 direct and indirect jobs for Oregon, employ 6,100 full-time or part-time workers, generate $2 billion annually for the Oregon economy, have increased our number of employees over the past four years, and contribute $47 million in...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 13, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses
Sam Speaks at Metals Expo
Warren Jimenez
Good Morning!I’m Sam Adams – Portland’s new City Commissioner. Let me begin by thanking the Metals Industry Consortium for organizing this great event - and inviting me to it! I’d also like to thank all of you students for taking the time to be here. I was excited to...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 12, 2005
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Filed Under Events, Front Page, Jobs & Economy, News, Speeches & Testimony
Portland Family of Funds
Ben DuPreeThe Portland Family of Funds seeks to bring new financial resources to the Portland market. When I met with Carl Talton of the Portland Family of Funds, we spoke about new market tax credits in Portland. We discussed his potential participation in my Affordable Workspace Ownership Taskforce and how he...
Posted by Ben DuPree on May 10, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Southwest Portland
7th Annual Asian Reporter Scholarship Banquet
Maria Lynn LimLast Saturday, April 30, 2005, the Asian Reporter had its 7th Annual Asian Reporter Scholarship Banquet. It was an event bridging different cultures and backgrounds to award scholarships to deserving young minority kids, recognize honored elders and celebrate organizations for their contributions to our community. Mayor Potter and Portland City...
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on May 9, 2005
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Filed Under Events, News
Business # 105: Rossi Farms
Warren Jimenez“I am a fourth-generation farmer,” says owner Joe Rossi. “We are a family farm in the truest sense, and we make a living as an urban farm. We recently made a transition to becoming a retail-driven farm. Half of our expenses come from production, and the other half comes from...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 6, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Northeast Portland
Business # 106: Century Associates LLC
Warren JimenezCentury Associates, which manages the Argay Center, judges the health of their businesses by how long their current tenants choose to stay with them. “We have approximately 12-14 properties around Portland,” says Wayne Stoll, President of Century Associates LLC. “We are a family business. It is difficult, however, to find...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 6, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Northeast Portland
Freightliner, LLC.
Ben DuPreeWhen I arrived on-site at Freightliner, I toured their truck-making factory and their assembly plant. Freightliner LLC. and the Freightliner Group employ more than 14,000 people throughout North America. Based in our city, Freightliner manufactures specialty vehicles to the highest standards of technology and quality. Additionally, Freightliner is committed to...
Posted by Ben DuPree on May 6, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, North Portland
Business # 103: Emmert International
Warren Jimenez“Vandalism is an issue for us, as is possible misuse of the trails in our area,” says Terry Emmert with Emmert International. “We’re also concerned with the increase in homelessness and drugs in our community.” Emmert International, a prominent hauling company, has had numerous problems with fines. They told me...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 6, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, East Portland
Business # 109: Copy Express
Warren JimenezCopy Express, located in Parkrose Business District, is worried that current advances in technology are helping to put them out of business. They are seeking my help in lowering taxes so they can maintain profitability....
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 6, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Northeast Portland
Business # 107: Compaction and Recycling Equipment, Inc.
Warren Jimenez“Business is great, despite steel prices,” says Owner and President Gordon Boorse. “Steel prices allow us to make a profit, and they will be high for a while. We design trash handling systems for stores and schools, amongst other places.” Compaction and Recycling Equipment, Inc. was created in 1977. Gordon,...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 6, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Northeast Portland
Business # 108: True Value Hardware
Warren Jimenez“It is difficult to keep our business fresh to attract customers,” says Bryan Ableidinger, owner of True Value Hardware store in Parkrose. “We want to dazzle our customers with our knowledge of services and products, and we want to be able to get them in and out of our store...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 6, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Northeast Portland
Portland weighing campaign financing
Mary Jo MarkleIn the Oregonian, May 6, 2005 Portland City Council members like the idea of offering City Hall candidates public money for their political campaigns -- but they're a lot less certain about whether they should accept the help themselves. The council is scheduled to vote next week on a public...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on May 6, 2005
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Filed Under Good Government, News
May First Thursday: Lisa Kaser
David Gonzalez
In May, we'll be featuring the work of Portland artist Lisa Kaser. Come celebrate at our opening reception on May 5 from 5-7 p.m. at City Hall, 1221 SW Fourth Ave. Room 220 or stop by our office during May to check out her work.
Posted by David Gonzalez on May 5, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Events
Business # 102: Powell’s Books
Warren JimenezPowell’s Books, which employs 485 workers and has six stores across Portland, ships 2500 parcels a day. Although that number doubles during the holiday season, they find that they must be creative in their marketing to stay competitive. “Internet growth for our store has peaked,” says Michael Powell, Owner of...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 5, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Northwest Portland
Senate Bill 1000 testimony
Jesse Beason
Sam spoke before the Senate Rules Committee regarding his support for Senate Bill 1000, a bill that would extend the ban on discrimination to include sexual orientation and create civil unions. His testimony is below...
Posted by Jesse Beason on May 4, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Front Page, Speeches & Testimony
Home, Queer Home
Mary Jo MarkleThe Willamette Week, May 4, 2005 - A plan for a community center where Portland's queers can take in a concert, get a health checkup or find a lawyer is re-awakening after two years in hibernation. "People are anxious for tangible results, and rightly so," says City Commissioner Sam Adams, Portland's first openly gay council member. Adams, who took office in January, says he will use his new perch to help advance the project. While Adams cannot commit any city money to the proposal, center organizers are optimistic about finding other sources.
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on May 4, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Livability & Environment, News
Sam in the News
Roland ChlapowskiFrom The Oregonian - April 21, 2005 Portland mayor saves historic city mill from demolition -- for now Portland leaders plan to give the historic but dilapidated Centennial Mill a reprieve from certain death, but not necessarily the promise of a second life. Mayor Tom Potter has asked the Portland...
Posted by Roland Chlapowski on May 4, 2005
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Filed Under News
Creating a sustainability in City Hall
Maria Thi MaiIn an effort to model sustainability in our office at City Hall, the sustainability committee has initiated a staff-imposed fine for using disposable cups and glasses. What this means is that every time a staff person brings in a disposable cup or glass, they will promptly drop $.25 into the...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on May 4, 2005
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Filed Under Livability & Environment
Business # 103: Tripwire, Inc.
Warren JimenezFounded in 1997 and currently employing 150 workers, Tripwire Inc. believes that Portland can become economically healthier if its community works to foster a competitive business climate while offering incentives for companies who do business here. Jim Johnson, President of Tripwire, is also concerned about the rising cost of land....
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 3, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Southwest Portland
Business # 101: Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Warren Jimenez“Fewer rentals are coming in than usual, and they are worth less than they usually are,” says Kevin Neary, Vice-President at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. “For example, our rentals in Portland are down two dollars per day from their usual number, while costs are up $20 per car move and will continue...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on May 3, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Southwest Portland
Commissioner Sam Adams Addresses Community at 2005 LDTMA Annual Meeting
Maria Lynn LimFrom the Lloyd District TMA Newsletter, May 2005 Over 100 stakeholders and community members joined us for breakfast at the Oregon Convention Center on February 24th to hear Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams speak about his goals and objectives for the central city along with his transportation priorities. Commissioner Adams...
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on May 3, 2005
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Filed Under News, Transportation
Sam Adams on the Joint Terrorism Task Force Decision
Jane AmesAfter months of consideration, I have decided to support the City of Portland’s withdrawal from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). It was a challenging decision; I recognize that Portland’s citizens are divided on this issue. Some believe withdrawing from the JTTF leaves the city more...
Posted by Jane Ames on May 2, 2005
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Filed Under Good Government, Public Safety
Thank You
The OfficeYour comments have been sent to the author of the post. Home Contact...
Posted by The Office on May 1, 2005
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