By Antonio D. French
Filed Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 9:33 AM
READ IT HERE FIRST
With a fundraiser planned for Thursday, 27th Ward Committeeman Curtis Royston is making it official. He will indeed be seeking term-limited State Rep. Connie Johnson's spot in 2008.
Royston will be joined Thursday by supporters, including Johnson, State Reps. Rodney Hubbard and Talibdin El-Amin, Committeepeople Yaphette El-Amin (1st Ward), Claude Brown (2nd Ward), Johnny Sadler and Lucinda Fraisier (3rd Ward), and Arthur "Chink" Washington (21st Ward) in celebrating his candidacy as well as his 38th Birthday.
Royston is expected to face young Chris Carter, aide to State Sen. Jeff Smith and nephew of 27th Ward Alderman Greg Carter, in the 2008 primary election.
The event is on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at Charlotte's Banquet Hall, 8709 Riverview.
48 Comments:
It is about time. Curtis has been involved in the community for a long time. I have worked with him with the SLPS community education centers and the Human development corporation and he has never gotton the acknowledgement he deserves. That young man raised 3 children as a single father. With so many black men running from their responsibilities, it is refreshing to see one step up to the plate.
He has my vote.
2/20/2007 10:01 AM
I have known Chris Carter for a number of years and have also had the chance to work with this exceptional young man on the McCaskill campaign. He is a very bright individual who will not take Curtis lightly as an opponent. I know that the young Carter's organization and fundraising ability will be quite impressive, but they will pale in comparison to his message for the people and his ability to get things done. Mr. Carter my check is in the mail!!!!!
KT
2/20/2007 11:18 AM
Oh everyone knows that Chris Carter is running because Greg Carter wants to control north St. Louis. Chris is hardly qualified to be a state rep. He is a nice kid, but everyone knows he would just be Greg Carter's stooge. He hasn't developed his own voice yet and has done nothing in the community except what Greg has told him to do. It's Royston's turn. He has been in the community for years. He has always been an advocate for the poor and underserved as well as against gang violence. Curtis helped me with a difficult situation when when Greg Carter was ignoring my calls. The Carter's need to rethink this one. It is time to put their selfish interest aside and work for the betterment of their community.
2/20/2007 12:16 PM
I would feel more confident if Curtis actually lived in the 61st district or 27th Ward for that matter. Maybe he should run for for the rep seat in his 'real' district. Curtis has done very little as committeeman for the 27th Ward. I don't want to get into Royston laundry list. If the voters decide they want Royston so be it, if not thats fine as well. To suggest that Chris doesnt have his own voice is laughable at best, if you take the time to hear him speak on the issues maybe you would change your tune. Even though Greg is his uncle, he is hardly a lapdog for him.
2/20/2007 12:47 PM
Aren't there better options than either of those individuals????
2/20/2007 2:07 PM
Anonymous 2/20/2007 11:18 AM
Good news, you can send as big a check as you want.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Bad news you cant send that check untill the legislature is out of sesion in may.
2/20/2007 2:24 PM
Congratulations Curtis. It is about time and I am glad to see you do it. You have my full support.
2/20/2007 2:44 PM
Has Royston been a good leader? Is Carter a good leader? What have they done/accomplished from their current positions as committeeman and senatorial aide? I'm not being skeptical here, just asking pertinent questions.
2/20/2007 4:17 PM
Don Calloway is exactly the type of person we need in public office: bright, diligent, capable, and civic-minded. Let's hope that the residents of the 71st also believe that it would serve them well to elect an intelligent young politician and community volunteer.
2/20/2007 5:52 PM
Chris Carter is exactly the type of person we need in public office: bright, diligent, capable, and civic-minded. Let's hope that the residents of the 61st also believe that it would serve them well to elect an intelligent young politician and community volunteer.
2/20/2007 5:54 PM
I've watched the 27th Ward for a while and I think that Curtis has caused nothing but mistakes,and I think that the people of the 61st Distrct need someone thats cannot be bought... To my knowledge Mr.Royston has been bought and passed around to elected officials like a cheap prostitute. My vote is with Carter.
2/20/2007 6:10 PM
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2/20/2007 6:12 PM
Oh yeah, you think that Greg's 25 year old nephew has an independent voice. Sounds to me like Greg Carter or maybe Chris is making more of these posts than anyone else. Great ad for your nephew, but rather transparent.
Besides, Greg Carter has been the Alderman in the 27th for years. If you see problems, check out the guy who is truly lining his pockets. My girlfriend bought one of the new houses over there and has had nothing but problems. We tried to contact Greg Carter and he was missing in action. Yet they didn't hesitate to ask for money for their fundraiser which by the way seems to benefit the Carters over anyone in the community. Who are the actual recipients of the Wine and Roses Ball anyway? Probably his own children.
I don't know much about Curtis, but I at least see him around. I don't ever see Cris or Greg Carter.
2/20/2007 8:23 PM
Curtis probably showed his hand to soon with the list of those people who endorsed him. Greg will do whatever it takes to have people rescind their endorsements. I know from the inside that Greg has wanted to be something other than alderman since his mom passed (may she rest-in-peace). He could not be Senator, he could not be President of the Board of Alderman and now he's living vicariously through his nephew.
Curtis if you see this take your time, keep praying (as I have seen you do so well in some of our meetings), and we're still behind you.
I was at "the Ball" and I can tell you - Chris has no support! So Greg has no choice but to take the low road to try to get you out early. I look forward to seeing you in Jeff City next year.
2/20/2007 8:48 PM
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2/20/2007 10:30 PM
I guess we have really come to the low point of politics when people are slandering Curtis, Chris, and Greg. The funny thing about it is these 3 guys don't share any ill will towards each other or anyone else. As of right now Chris has not declared, its just swirling rumors. Instead of tearing these guys down lets focus on the positives the bring. This just goes to show you why our Senate seats continue to taken by whites, because we as blacks spew hate towards one another. As far as I'm concerned we always complain about the yunger generation getting involved and when one does he treated as a outcast. Curtis has served the 27th Ward well as the committeeman and he has everyright to run. Greg is one of the few alderman on the Northside who's ward actually looks decent and he is an effective leader. Lets not slander these guys and tear them down focus on what they bring to the table. And if you are going to slander them atleast way until they declare and you hear their message. I mean who really cares about who some pompous politian endorses, endorsements dont vote, never have and never will. At the end of the day the choice is the peoples and its who they think will better serve their needs.
Some of you should just be down right ashamed of the insidious crap you have posted on here.
2/20/2007 11:45 PM
Well the mud slinging in this campaign has already begun.
Talk of people going to jail. Extra-marital affairs...lap dogs.
Can we get past one election first before we start talking about a 2008 election?
Personally, I think these candidates are putting themselves at a disservice.
1) Opponents are already launching their attacks, giving each other time to devise a counter argument
2) No one cares about a summer State Rep election in 2008, when its brisk Feb. cold in 2007.
3) There are sure to be more candidates that could possibly enter the race, so while the Carter vs. Royston people attack each other, other candidates can slip in and ultimately be valid "compromise" candidates
2/20/2007 11:51 PM
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2/21/2007 12:15 AM
When did Royston ever sit on the Board of Education???????
2/21/2007 5:08 AM
Please refrain from personal attacks. Keep it on the issues.
2/21/2007 6:45 AM
Curtis has not served on the school board. He ran for the school board at the same time as Antonio and did not win.
I do know that both he and his son spoke at several of the school board meeting (mostly advocating for afterschool programs for children & adults).
I also remeber seeing something in one of the local papers about him speaking out against the rate hikes that Amren has proposed for the St. Louis area.
Likewise, I am aware that Greg was able to get his nephew a job with he Democratic State Party. He has not taken a position on any issues I am aware of although I am waiting to see if he does.
I do hope this does not disinegrate into another Black-on-Black crime with the community being the overall looser. Thanks Antonio, for asking that people focus on the issues that affect peoples lives - we should not treat either of them as the Republicans treated Bill Clinton.
Remember, what Bill did was between him, God and his family; what Bush has done has been against the entirity of the world - Which has a greater impact on our lives.
2/21/2007 10:11 AM
What is Curtis stance on school vouchers? I noticed he is getting support from the pro-voucher guys. What is Chris stance on school vouchers? What are their perspective plans to get more funding for medicaid? What about MOHELA?
2/21/2007 11:44 AM
I don't know where Curtis stands on school vouchers, but I do know that he has sent all of his children to SLPS and 2 are still enrolled. The oldest graduated last year. I have seen him at the parent assembly meetings for years and he held a position in the PTO of at Walbrige school when they were in grade school. Since they are about 17 or 18, I would say that he has been an active parent at least 12 or 13 years. He was also the city wide community education chair for SLPS and I still see him at Walbridge quite often. He has also helped out with some of the more difficult boys by mentoring them a couple of years ago.
I don't know anything about Chris Carter.
2/21/2007 4:14 PM
Let's take a short walk down memory lane. We can only judge candidates by their very public history. In less than 1 year Chris Carter has worked against the dominant number of Black elected officials (including his uncle) by supporting Jeff Smith over Yaphette El Amin for the State Senate. He attended a rally for Jim Talent. And he failed in his responsiblity to increase the in African American turnout for Claire McCaskill in the North St. Louis which had a 10% drop in voter turnout. SO FAR HE HAS DEMONSTRATED GREAT LEADERSHIP QUALITIES!!
2/21/2007 9:48 PM
Chris Carter didn't support Jeff Smith over Yaphette El Amin. Chris Carter actually contacted her office during the time of their race to volunteer and try to get a job with her campaign. He never heard anything back after calling her office multiple times to see when they were making calls or canvassing. Chris Carter had nothing to do with the voter turn out in North City.. He was the College Outreach Person for the McCaskill Campaign.. He was also responsible for getting over 100 North City residents jobs with the McCaskill campaign. He attended the Jim Talent rally as a project for his job to see what messages and negative images that Talent was portraying to African Americans. You know it's funny... We have alot of politicians and leaders in the city that claim to be against certain things untill some cash is thrown there way.
2/22/2007 10:31 AM
Curtis Royston cannot be trusted he has been for sale his whole political career. Everyone knows that he is not qualified to represent any district. I did some work with him and he has horrible work ethic and skills. I met Carter a while back when he was working on the polls for Connie and Curtis and he was a serious young man. I'm turned off by Curtis he just doesn't follow through.
2/22/2007 10:55 AM
Anonymous 9:48, either your El-Amin or an El-Amin operative. Obviously you know nothing about the McCaskill Campaign, because the North City canvass was ran by John Bowman NOT Chris Carter. Chris attended the Jim Talent African-American rally at the behest of of his superior, it proved to be very helpful to the McCaskill campaign as well. Greg Carter also did not endorse El Amin the ward endorsed El Amin, Greg never personally endorses candidates, even if he did support her this shows Chris independence of Greg. Maybe if the El-AMin camp had focused and knocked some doors on the southside results would have been different. But she only wanted to represent black people not ALL people. Obviously Chris knows how to pick someone with a message that resonates with majority of the voters (Jeff Smith and Claire McCaskill). And actually if you look at the north city voter turnout precinct by precinct it actually increased by 8% (check the SOS website). Maybe if El-AMin would have given some of that $10000 she paid AL Sharpton to her constituents who were suffering in 100+ heat while a power outage was going on, they would have the right to criticize Chris but as I see it they couldn't even spare a cold bottle of water to any of them. Leadership is not making the easy decision its making the right decision and as far I can see Chris has been making the right decisions.
PS you may want to contact the college dems at SLU, Wash U, Flo Valley or the collegiate 100 at Harris Stowe to verify if Chris was the college outreach, but I'm sure it will hurt your heart to find out he was and he didnt do voter outreach for North City.
2/22/2007 12:47 PM
Anonymous 2/22/2007 10:31 AM said . .
"Chris Carter actually contacted her office . . .try to get a job with her campaign. He never heard anything back . . ."
"... We have alot of politicians and leaders in the city that claim to be against certain things untill some cash is thrown there way."
I have not met "Curtis", but you actually help to make the point that "Chris" isn't trustworthy or qualified. Obviously he went with Jeff Smith because HE WANTED TO GET PAID. Not because it was in the best interest of the community.
I am not upset that he wants to get paid, but it should not be at the expense of those whom he seeks to serve!
If Mr.Royston has Claude's support he definately has mine & that of my family. Why not stick to issues that matter to the community rather than trying to tear down another Black man? It didn't work against Talib Elamin and I'm sure it won't work for you.
Sincerly, J. Mitchell
2/23/2007 2:49 PM
Carter isn't getting paid from Jeff Smith... He didn't want any money from El Amin... When he worked for Connie Johnson he didn't get any money. So is he money hungry???? I don't think so. Anyone who gives up there time freely isn't money hungry.. So if Claude is backing Carter will you still support Curtis? Everyone needs to do there homework before saying things that make no sense.
2/23/2007 6:05 PM
J. Mitchell, it is my understanding that Chris contacted the El Amin campaign to volunteer his time, they made no effort get in contact with him. He told me all he wanted to do was learn some grassroots organization, which he learned on the McCaskill campaign. The young man really wants to learn how politics work and there will be those who will never be satisified for whatever reason. I think Chris is a rising star in the party, he has done lots of behind the scenes work over the last 2 to 3 years, such as establishing a Young Democrats organization, working the polls in elections, organizing voter registration drives, organizing colleges democratic organizations, organizing canvass plans in the city AND county, helping candidates raise funds, organizing rides for seniors to the polls, and numerous other things. Most of those activities he did as a service to the community, to my knowledge McCaskill is the only campaign that he was every on the payroll for. Its a difference in being a campaign worker and the actual staff of an elected official, so don't mischaracterize that for the uptenth time.
Obviously if you think Curtis is the better choice you surely have your reasons and rightfully so. But has he done as much work as Chris who has only been back in St. Louis from college for maybe 3 years at best? I personally havent seen him do all those things but maybe I havent been paying attention.
2/23/2007 11:42 PM
Anonymous 2/23/2007 6:05 PM,
Everyone knows that Claude serves on the NAACP board with you (I mean Greg) and Harold Crumbton. Claude is not so weak as to be pressured by either of them. If he does succumb to the pressure, that doesn't mean that Chris is a better candidate - it would just be another sign of the . . .I'm not going to go there. I won't get suckered into the gutter politics the Carters are known for.
Bless you, who ever you are. I hope you find inner peace.
...And to answer your question: no it wouldn't change my vote. I'm with Claude and Lewis Reed and I'm with Claude and Royston. If Claude has already said he's with Royston - I'm going that way.
2/23/2007 11:51 PM
I did not see your post prior to posting my last one - we must have been typing at the same time.
A "google" search leads you to a number of articles about work Curtis has done for children, low-income families and education. I could not access all of the files though becuase they are a part of the P-D archives. But he seems to work for the entire community and not just for the 27th ward which is something I would expect a leader to do.
http://www.house.mo.gov/bills041/hlrbillspdf/3840C.03.pdf,
If Carter is really interested in learning, he should do just that - take time to learn.
J. Mitchell
2/24/2007 12:08 AM
J. Mitchell again your trying to insinutate that Chris work is only limited to the 27th Ward, that again is a mischaracterization of the facts, the voter registeration drive that he spearhead for the Young Democrats was a city wide effort and also registered voters in the county, he also help organize food drives, works with disadvantaged youths, and started an after school mentoring program. Its not to many senior citizens homes and colleges in the 27th Ward. Sure Chris comes from a family that has major influence and name recognition, but youstill have to have the drive and willingness to learn in order to serve.
But again, if you think Curtis is the better choice, your entitled to your opinion. Chris youth is not and should not be a factor, if your qualified your qualified PERIOD. If Chris makes a mistake its not due to his age the same with Curtis.
Everyone says Chris should wait his turn, have you ever thought that maybe Curtis should wait his turn after all he is ONLY 38.
2/24/2007 12:49 PM
Let me first say: I don't live in the 27th ward, nor do I live in the 61st district.
I do find it interesting that a simple announcement on the part of the committeeman has generated so much attention. The other blog comments about the race in the 26th don't come close and this one almost beats out the comment section for the Prez-O'-the-Board race and both of those are less than two weeks away!
Either Royston is perceived as a threat or he really pissed of the Carter family. At least it hasn't degenerated into the mudslinging of other races(at least not yet!).
I hope it stays that way. I am looking forward to hearing the two of them debate the issues, it should prove interesting. I live in the 26th and we never had an opportunity to hear Joe Palm and Talib El-Amin debate.
***I do compliment Talib for taking the high ground in that race though - Mom always said "God don't like ugly". I wish Frank had taken Talib's lead, because now I'm concidering voting for Willie.
2/24/2007 1:53 PM
I dont think any of these 2 candidates should be taken lightly. In the words of Charlie Dooley run every race like your 3 points down!! It is to my understanding that while thaere has been a rift between Curtis and the Carters they still respect each other enough to stick to the issues and not indulge in underhanded activities undermining each others campaign.
This race, if it does in fact happen, should be interesting from the field aspect to the fundraising aspect. I would think that if the young Carter actually does work for Jeff Smith he should have excess to some of his fundraisers as well as Gregs and even the Late Paula Carter. I'm sure Curtis will have significant help from Hubbard and the El Amins. This might shape of to be one of the best state rep races in 08.
2/24/2007 4:09 PM
WOW, this little announcement has really stirred up a hornets nest of activity. Somebody has a lot of inside information or either they are related. Strange all this talk about El Amin race and whether or not Chris was involved (which one of the writers said he was not) but for some strange reason Jeff Smith has found it in his heart to employ Chris as his staff assistant. WOW what a coincidence!!!
By the way, since the 27th ward Alderman does not endorse, why is his name and picture all over Louis Reed's literature. DEE DEE DEE
Let's close by revisiting the vote count for the African American community that our Anonymous person referred. Claire McCaskill got less votes Black votes than Carnahan got four years ago in the City. The Black voter % turnout was down 25% and the overall Black vote was down by 10%. Maybe we need to get Elliot Davis to investigate the usage of CIty owned calculators in the 27th Ward. You know Elliot likes the 27th ward.
2/24/2007 5:44 PM
Hey Greg opps, I mean Anonymous. Why are you using the PJC Foundation's not for profit status to raise political dollars. Aint't that illegal. What would the IRS say about that.
2/24/2007 5:46 PM
We were doing so good. Let's keep it on the issues . . .hopefully this will be the first campaign to do so. Let's show Hillary and Barak, Frank & Lee, Lewis and the other guy how it should be done. Let the candidates speak . . .whenever they choose.
Right now let's focus on the P-o-t-B race.
2/24/2007 7:41 PM
Again Greg Carter did not personally endorse any candidate in the BOA race, the Ward committee endorsed the candidate which consist of Greg, Connie, and Curtis. Again is you check the Secertary of State site and get the north city precinct by precinct voter turnout was up specificially voting for the Democratic candidate.
Again Carter contacted the El Amin campaign in order to volunteer, they either never got back with him. He is employed by Jeff Smith, thats a fact no disputing that, but the chronicle of events are very important that coincide with this.
Yes I have insider information and I am not Greg or Chris. I was in the Young Democrats with him.
2/24/2007 9:23 PM
Okay, for those that are ill informed to the complexities of political reality, the old saying is that figures don't lie but a liar will figure. For the person that has an identity crisis let us start by comparing apples to apples. You can not compare the November elections to the August elections. Any seasoned political veteran would know that. Try comparing the November Senate race to the November Senate race four years earlier. Those are comparable races - Talent vs. Carnahan and Talent vs. McCaskill. If you do the analysis as you say you are capable, then you will find that in fact there was a substantial loss of African American enthusasim for Claire in the City of St. Louis. In fact, African American participation dropped throughout the state. For the record the candidate had a piss poor campaign staff and she failed to energize the Black electorate.
So let's fast forward to today. Since you, as you say you are, a member of the Young Democrats, perhaps you cans do a compare and contrast for us between Curtis and Chris. Why other than Chris's family lineage, would anyone vote for Chris? Can you give the audience the pro's and con's for Curtis? And tell us why we should trust your analysis?
We are eargerly awaiting you report.
2/25/2007 12:54 PM
Show me your statisistical data for the information your are giving us. You can check the Secretary of State website to verify mine. That is a moot point anyway because John Bowman ran that phase of the campaign not Chris. But I can point you to certain elected officials who played behin the scene roles in the Talent campaign on the northside, because yep you guessed it they were bought. But I won't go their (and for the record Curtis was not one of them).
I gave you a laundry list of the things Chris has done. I'm not aware of everything Curtis has done, but I'm still open-minded to what he has to offer. I have no need to lie. So far you can only point me to Curtis 'A "google" search leads you to a number of articles about work Curtis has done for children, low-income families and education'. Chris has done that also, plus he has help organize major campaigns, helped raise funds, is active in Jefferson City as we speak, helps make youth (paricularly black youth) politically active, helps seniors, ect.
You have to prove to me why I should vote for Curtis. I know what Chris has done and he is ONLY 25 and so far it seems as if Curtis community efforts, while admirable, pale in comparison.
2/25/2007 1:43 PM
Strange that someone who constantly refers to the SOS site cannot give us their reference points. I have but again try the US Senate race, Nov 2003 vs Nov 2007. What are yours.
By the way, all of your references to Chris are based on your personal recollection versus public records for Curtis.
While you are shuffling papers trying to find one article or fabrication of an article that I can read for myself. We all know that there are a lot of references on Curtis.
By the way, Curtis list an impressivve list of endorsements (all of which you say are a lie). Besides yours and the Carter family, where are Chris's? HUH??
2/25/2007 9:51 PM
Hey, are you tying Chris to John Bowman? And you ask what has Curtis done, then in the same paragraph you refer to a number of articles you saw about Curtis's civic activities. HUMMMMM. What up with that. Are you tripping overself trying to keep up.
Look, I am sure that Chris is a really nice guy with great potential. Hopefully Elliot Davis will not take to chasing him around and he can keep his hands of women (like his uncle). And he will not force companies to work with CCCC. Or have unqualified realives running government agencies/programs. Or lie to a prosecutor to protect herself. But until he becomes more season and avoids those pitfalls that have tatooed his family.
Good luck in the future but not this race.
2/26/2007 7:17 AM
Hey, are you tying Chris to John Bowman? And you ask what has Curtis done, then in the same paragraph you refer to a number of articles you saw about Curtis's civic activities. HUMMMMM. What up with that. Are you tripping overself trying to keep up.
Look, I am sure that Chris is a really nice guy with great potential. Hopefully Elliot Davis will not take to chasing him around and he can keep his hands of women (like his uncle). And he will not force companies to work with CCCC. Or have unqualified realives running government agencies/programs. Or lie to a prosecutor to protect herself. But until he becomes more season and avoids those pitfalls that have tatooed his family.
Good luck in the future but not this race.
2/26/2007 7:17 AM
Hey, are you tying Chris to John Bowman? And you ask what has Curtis done, then in the same paragraph you refer to a number of articles you saw about Curtis's civic activities. HUMMMMM. What up with that. Are you tripping overself trying to keep up.
Look, I am sure that Chris is a really nice guy with great potential. Hopefully Elliot Davis will not take to chasing him around and he can keep his hands of women (like his uncle). And he will not force companies to work with CCCC. Or have unqualified realives running government agencies/programs. Or lie to a prosecutor to protect herself. But until he becomes more season and avoids those pitfalls that have tatooed his family.
Good luck in the future but not this race.
2/26/2007 7:20 AM
Chris has nothing to do with John Bowman, John Bowman ran the McCaskill's North City voter outreach.
I will just leave at that, this expected race is over a year away. Lots of things can happen within that time.
2/26/2007 1:00 PM
I don't know enough about both guys to get into the debate. However in response to the "anonymous" above: McCaskill's "piss poor field staff" won this election. The work of the field staff combined with that of the Bowman led paid canvassers won you a junior senator who cares more about the city than talent ever did. The reason that black turnout (in the county) was down, was that people were pissed she spent so much time in Talent Territory- out in the boonies. I heard at more than one door she should be spending more time with her base in the city. I also know quite a few people who didn't go to the polls because of that.
Unfortunately 50+ 1 requires going into the other guys stronghold early, and shoring up your own base late. Since that’s not what us dems do, we loose. This time we lost some turnout, but I think people will understand next time around. 24-hour blitzes to show support. It is hard to do and MORE than makes up for spending some time in the stix early in the campaign.
-m
5/01/2007 8:47 PM
I agree with m - the field staff is the reason why we have a democratic us senator in this state. I think the outcome speaks for itself. Nough said.
5/01/2007 9:16 PM
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