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Q
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Tifa
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4/19/99 2:00:00 PM
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How do you plan to provide job training
programs for the unemployed?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:50:28 PM
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Due to the state's welfare cuts which went into effect on March 3, the state has already saved more than $229 million. This money should be redirected into job training programs and other key supports like child care and transportation. As Mayor, I will lobby to make sure the that the state does its part to pay for training and the welfare to work transition. I will also encourage employers to establish sound job training programs to well prepare their employees for success at work.
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Q
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Nyeshia McAllister
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BOK
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4/19/99 2:06:19 PM
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Do you have a plan for lowering the
Philadelphia wage tax?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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I do support the gradual reduction of the wage and business taxes. I support the tax reduction plan outlined in the five-year financial plan produced by the current Rendell Administration. This plan continues to reduce the wage tax within the context of a balanced budget. I would lower taxes as much as is fiscally responsbile. A commitment to streamlining city government is essential to seeing the tax cuts materialize.
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Q
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Olney High School
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4/19/99 2:35:35 PM
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What programs would you develop to decrease
the number of truancies that we have today?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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We need expanded, tougher truancy courts for kids who cut school. In addition, we must coordinate the efforts of police and probation officers to track truant adolescents and teen-agers. By coordinating their work, the police and probation officers will be able to better monitor the behavior of kids and prevent them from gettting into worse trouble.
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Q
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Masterman
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Philadelphia
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4/19/99 3:29:36 PM
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How do plan to enforce your higher standards
in the Philadelphia public school system?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:46:36 PM
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The most important element of setting higher standards is giving students the opportunity to meet those standards. If students fail to meet those standards in a given school year, I support summer school for all grade levels to provide the extra attention needed to bring all students up to grade level performance. Higher standards are not just about kids having to work harder. They are about accoutability. Teachers, parents, administrators must take responsibility for the learning of students. When kids are not learning, there needs to be summer school to allow them to bridge the gap between one year and the next.
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Q
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Yolonda B.
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Phila
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4/20/99 5:52:34 AM
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How can we increase the number of people who
vote in Philadelphia elections?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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By focusing on positive, issues-based campaings, candidates can increase voter interest and participation.
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Q
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Shonda S.
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Phila.
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4/20/99 6:03:15 AM
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When did you decide that you wanted to become
a politican?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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In the 1970's, when I had three young boys in the public school system, the teachers and the city government hit a wall in contract negotiations. Repeatedly, the teachers went on strike and my sons were shut out of school. As a parent, I was angered and felt powerless in the shadow of a city government which was unresponsive to the people. These feelings inspired me to start the Parents Union for Public Schools. The events also made me realize that I would like to be able to help Philadelphians by providing a more responsive government.
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Q
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Pat. S.
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Phila.
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4/20/99 6:14:15 AM
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How will you develop and keep a positive
working relationship with City Council?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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I would ensure there are open lines of communication between the Mayor's office and City Council. We need cooperation, not confrontation.
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Q
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Swenson Arts & Technology Cam
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Philadelphia
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4/20/99 8:41:22 AM
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The streets in residential areas are in poor
condition, What are your plans to fix them ?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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A higher level of city services is imperative to keeping working families in the city. I will insist that basic services are reliable and efficient.
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Q
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Marja
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4/20/99 12:16:14 PM
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How will you reduce teenage prenancy in
Philadelphia??
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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By keeping kids in school and providing them with positive activities after school, we can deter them from falling into crime, drugs, and teenage pregnancy.
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Q
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Tara
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philadelphia
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4/20/99 12:27:13 PM
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How did you enjoy your interview at Germantown
High School last friday?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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I loved spending time in Philadelphia schools.
I get energy from meeting and listening to people throughout the city, especially students. It gives me a lot of hope for the future.
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Q
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Jules E. Mastbaum A.V.T.S.
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Phila, PA
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4/20/99 1:57:01 PM
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Physical and sexual abuse of young children and
teens is a serious problem. Are you willing to
put a program of social workers in schools,
where these children are on a daily basis, and
are you willing to fund such a program with
city mone
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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I support tough sentencing of those arrested for sexual abuse. It is important to emphasize early detection and prevention. Social workers are a vital component of this effort and I would support putting more social workers in schools if there is money for the program.
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Q
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Lee of u-city
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phila,pa
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4/20/99 2:25:39 PM
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What are you going to do about the murder rate?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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Thankfully, the murder rate is coming down. I would support tough gun control laws, like the one-gun-a month proposal. As Mayor, I would sue the gun manufacturers to keep guns off our streets. I would encourage the police department to work in coordination with federal officials to arrest the drug business leaders and put them away on federal charges.
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Q
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Rob Jackson
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4/20/99 3:04:59 PM
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If you are elected, what is going to be your
first official duty?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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As Mayor, the first thing I would do is present a balanced budget reflecting my priorities: education, public safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods.
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Q
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GAMP High School
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4/20/99 3:38:20 PM
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What types of programs do you endorse that
support community involvment?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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I support expanding after school programs in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. Community centers, libraries, schools, recreation centers, and churches are all possible locations for expanded programs. These programs integrate a range of community organizations. I also support community development corporations as an effective means to involve community members in the revitalization of their neighborhoods. I have a long history of working with community based organizations. They are integral to moving our city forward.
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Q
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Eric
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Philadelphip, PA
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4/20/99 5:58:57 PM
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Regional accommodations—for example on work
force, taxes, and physical infrastructure—
would allow the Philadelphia region to compete
more effectively in the national and
international arenas? Where would you start?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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I support regional cooperation around higher education, arts and culture, and the growing high technology and pharmaceutical industries. The Greater Philadelphia area has rich assets. I believe a partnership between the city and the region is a great way to keep the us moving forward. It is a great way to make the region marketable and attractive nationally and internationally.
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Q
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Masterman
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4/21/99 10:36:45 AM
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How do you think your hardships have prepared
you for obstacles you will face as mayor of
Philadelphia?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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In my life I have overcome the odds personally and professionally. As young girl, I endured childhood polio. The experience made me stronger and tougher--I emerged a more determined person. Professionally, I have run hard races to win election to City Council as an at-large candidate. I've also waged tough battled in Council to pass legislation against tobacco and grafitti.
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Q
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Geo. Washington
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4/21/99 10:44:21 AM
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If you win the election, what will be your most
important goal in your first year of office?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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My most important goal will be to keep the budet balanced as I bring taxes down and stay focused on my priorities: education, public safety, and quality of life in our neighborhoods.
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Q
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Simon Gratz
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4/21/99 10:48:39 AM
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In this race for Philadelphia Mayor, has there
been any discrimination of
gender directed towards you?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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I have felt very little discrimination in this race for Mayor. I get the sense from both men and women that it is time for a change in Philadelphia. We need to move away from the politics of the past. Discrimination in the campaign only allows people to sell me short and take my candidacy less seriously because we've never had a woman mayor.
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Q
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Carver
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4/21/99 11:12:58 AM
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How would you suggest that women become more
active in the elective process?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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I would suggest that women get involved in their communities and public schools. This is where I got started in politics. More women should vote in elections, run for office, and volunteer on campaigns.
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Q
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Roxborough H. S.
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4/21/99 12:32:51 PM
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What would you do to stop violence in public
schools?
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A
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Happy Fernandez
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4/26/99 7:37:12 PM
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I support strong gun control laws and a partnership between police and federal authorities to go after the drug "kingpins". Removing guns and violence from our streets is the first step to keeping it out of our schools. We also need to be tough on discipline in our schools and remove disruptive students.
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