ENERGY SAFETY IS PART OF KEEPING OUR HOMES SAFE

 The month of June is dedicated to home safety.  Safety in our homes is important to us all and the communities in which we live.   Learn about and practice energy safety while enjoying the comforts and conveniences brought to your home by natural gas and electric service. . It’s as easy as one, two, and three: 

 ONE… TEACH THE BASICS OF ENERGY AND ENERGY SAFETY TO YOUR FAMILY! Learning about natural gas and electricity is the first step toward keeping yourself, your friends and family, and the community safe. Energy safety requires that you learn to: 

• RECOGNIZE an energy emergency.  Know that natural gas smells like rotten eggs and that a downed power line is dangerous.
• REACT quickly to an energy emergency.  Leave the area immediately and do not return until you are certain it is safe or you are told you may do so by an emergency official.
• REPORT energy emergencies promptly.  In the event of a gas emergency, call 480-644-4277 or 911.  If you see an electric emergency, call 480-644-2266 or call 911.

 TWO… PRACTICE ENERGY SAFETY DAILY!

• Follow manufacturer instructions for the care and use of gas and electric appliances.
• For gas appliances, look for the blue flame which indicates fuel is burning efficiently.
• Keep the areas around gas/electric appliances clean & unblocked to allow for proper air flow and avoid tripping hazards.
• Never store household chemicals or combustible materials near gas appliances.
• Don’t forget… if you suspect a gas emergency such as a rotten egg odor, REACT AND REPORT!
• Always call 811 before digging to have underground utilities located.
• Water and electricity don’t mix.   Don’t use electric appliances near water or when you are wet.

THREE… JUST IN CASE, HAVE A PLAN! Despite all your energy safety efforts, there are steps you should take to prepare for a possible emergency including:

• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and check batteries frequently.
• Make an escape map that includes two exits out of every room and pick a meeting place outside.
• Practice safety drills for getting the family out of the house quickly.
• Make sure there is at least one multipurpose fire extinguisher in your home and learn how to use it.
• Review energy and home safety tips regularly with ALL family members.

Visit www.mesaaz.gov/energy for more information.

At a time when  the young woman defendant Jodi Arias is about to speak in her own defense, abandoned by her attorneys and by witnesses who would have spoken in her defense but suddenly withdrew for threats of retaliation, and facing the possibility of being put to death, I feel compelled to offer my own personal experience on how traumatizing life events can obliterate one’s recollections.


Now 74 years old, with three earned degrees and seven degrees of misery, multiple surgeries,  strokes, and heart attacks behind me,  fighting daily to stay above medical circumstances that have taken the lives of many persons younger than myself,   I reflect on the tragic events  that remain as open wounds after more than four decades,  events at a time when I was a young minister who had known nothing but a life of dedication to the Lord and the service of the ministry.


It has been amnesia from shock out of the period of being raped and dislodged from a normal life when I was in the terrible throes of disability after losing my wife and family. I wound up in a hospital and an infirmary at a notable school,  and there I was, left at the mercy of a doctor who kept me there for 13 days for a migraine headache. During that time he aimed at seducing me and getting me into his office where he forced himself into me with his large phallus, compelling to lie prone on a gurney for what he claimed was an anal exam I needed for my prostate (strange because I have never prostate problems even to this day). It was while he had me in his office that he told me from his medical knowledge how I could take my own life without any detection possible of the means used to do it.  Also taking me to his home from time to time, feeding his wife breakfast, then coming downstairs to seduce me on the couch. Chasing me around from place to place, even to an island off the Atlantic Coast that his wife’s ancestors helped found, even getting into the wedding line of my marriage to my second wife.  I had no idea I was that attractive, though I was chosen as one of three in New York City to be a model and centerfold.  


Who is this person, and why has he been covering all this up?  What happened to his wife?  Suddenly I learned she had died, and he never even told me, and I was supposed to be his special friend.   I went out to eat with her and this doctor.  Not long before, and she seemed perfectly healthy to me. What happened to the young man who was at the infirmary who suddenly was dead?  What happened to other students who had fallings out with him because of inappropriate behavior at the infirmary? 


Somehow I felt used and abused because he wanted $35,000.00 to add on a medical room at the infirmary. He knew because of the professional closeness I had inherited over a million dollars.  I was a student, doing my work and trying to keep up a ministry, travelling back and forth. He even visited my home, and reached out to try to seduce me again and again both in hotels, and boarding places in at the school.  He abused me by telling me I did wrong by getting involved with a woman and bringing more children into the world.   Very difficult circumstances for me;  these traumatizing events led me to a period of amnesia about these happenings. It is only in the wake of my recent, and intensive 7 ½ hour long deep brain surgery that memories have started to return, causing me to reflect more deeply and lucidly about these events.  


When I was raped in the infirmary at the school, I screamed and hollered to where it was heard up and down the hallways of the infirmary. His secretary, a German woman, embarrassed me because he didn’t want it to be known what he was doing. As I have shared he had me face down on the gurney.  Covered it up with his professional and church connections. My life was being prevailed upon by this monstrous abuse I was subject to, and which I didn’t know what to do with.  


I can relate to what this Jodi Arias is going through.  Though what she did was horrible,  I do believe that the trauma of being abused can eradicate the memory of events  of all that transpires around you, and you go on as if none of it had happened.   I’ve tried to keep in touch with this doctor to play along, allowing him to believe I was interested in him, for the hope of eventually  dealing with and exposing him over what happened to me;   I never have had an explanation of what happened.  As to why it has taken so long to come to grips with these happenings:  the pain was such that I kept these things buried so I could carry on with my life without being inundated with them – at the same time they  have remained open wounds in need of healing and resolution.   As I write this doctor is travelling with his lover of 25 years to their summer home.  


I am  very distraught because I hate to see this young woman Jodi Arias put to death and nobody will speak on her behalf about her circumstances.   She certainly made a terrible mistake in her life,  but  could not remember any of it; something that goes on when religion, faith, and sexual  abuse are mixed through psychological and physical force.


I have had  memories return to me in the nights of the events surrounding what I was personally subject to.  I am hoping that something will dissolve this thing from my mind so I don’t have to be tortured any more.


I don’t want to see another person wrongfully taken to be put to death because she lost her mind and sense of direction.  Why there aren’t more people coming to her defense, not for the wrong she did, but because of her  telling what she went through, her making a mistake and not being able to remember what went on. This fellow was a Mormon; I don’t have much respect for the Mormon church. We have that fellow down in Texas who was  put away for taking on children.  Now we hear of a young boy who was being chased by this Travis Alexander, and his  running from woman to woman, causing rage and trauma in the life of a woman who was used to be living monogamously, then suddenly being forcibly subject to a different faith and sexual abuse.   


As to what I went through personally as a vulnerable young man and student, I can’t understand why I have had to be subject to it all, except there be a reason to speak out at this time on behalf of this vulnerable young woman, an ingénue whose heart and life had been all but derailed by the double trauma of being forced into a different religion and being forced upon sexually, even while I cope with my own unresolved  traumas and losses. 


Who is this doctor that sought to take advantage of me and forced himself upon me, a young minister reeling from the trauma of divorce and the forcible loss of my children?; who was this Travis Alexander that enticed a young, artistically gifted woman into a faith not her own, and forced her into the trauma of sexual abuse?  The questions remained unanswered, and the mysteries remain unresolved.

Yes, and it's so unlike him to be so quiet for so long.  You know, he used to behave as though he though there was no such thing as bad publicity.

I feel sorry for him as it must be an agonizing, lengthy ordeal, not to mention embarrassing. Costly too!

Looks like the case is dragging on month by month.  If you have the right kind of converter on your computer, you can read the minute entries.  One of these days I'm going to get to work on reinstalling mine.

Any updates?

alls im saying is its nearing the time to vote.. vote to keep the status quo OLD barn yard 1813 mentality or modern up date thinking and VISION... or remain OLD DECAY DULL DEAD END AJ.. one who LEFt AJ for better pay n position desires for his old  job back.. smithers.. HELL NO..  waldron the walpite was on camera and in the papers  during the 07 recall berating the council n demanding... since he WAS FIRED... and questionable HOW he got back in... due to the mayors own words WE DONT WANT TO HAVE TO TRAIN ANYONE ON 'HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS" ... 2 seats are up for grabs 2 or 3.. really... gail held a friends of gail meeting ONLY  so her agenda is personal not CITY WIDE for the bettewr of AJ NO but for the better of gail..

NOW AJ is drier than a old tortilla.. no vision no action onloy foisted western design ONLY by barker whom micro manages n fails to remain on commetties she agreed to be on... left that seat empty after she got her seat back... HINT shes for her self ONLOY...  NO vision for JA only depend on snowbirds that reality kicks in are croaking left n right not able to come to Aj.. HAS the council even entertained ideas of self suffenciy?? generate city wide revenue??? not depend on snowbirds only??? NO.. NO vision NO jobs NO revenue growth just do it OUR WAY OR ELSE./..... this time vote for VISIONARIES thinkers out side the box who desire to see Aj flourish hnot retreat back n be stuck in the 1813 mentality when its 2013.. VISION .. Christa Rizzy n Jeff Strubble HAVE THAT VISION barker hasnt got it waldron the walpite dont smithyers is out for smithyers only .. ITS sad AJ CAN flourish but the OLD guard DOESNT WANT THAT.. gtime to sedn the old guard to the HOME FOR OLD THINKERS I dont want Aj to be the nexgt dust bowsl of az.. a city that NOTHING EVER ATAKES PLACE OR HAPPENDS IN.. a few sponsored activities dont count.. IM talking  revenue building local news doing remotes in and at drawing tourist dfollars to local mom n pop shops not into the COFFIERS of the FEW the city backs.. but to the business owners Aj is no agaisnt.. even doing a update on thier property to draw in a bigger crowd.. they DENY.. ANTI BUSINESS WE NEED LEADERS WHO HAVE THE VISION FOR NOT AGAISNT AJ.. OH AND BABS.. THE PORTOLAS ARE DONE N OVER WIHT.. MOVE ON... GET A BIGGER PICTURE OF BE VOTED OUT..... AND U THINK YOURE GONNA BE MAYOR??? AS IF....   Aj doesnt need decaying minds NO vision it desperatly needs VISION LIFE..  all you see is DUST DECAY old empty buildings homes.. WHERES THE VISIONARIES AT??? CHRISRA RIZZY AND JEFF STRUBBLE IS where its at...

seriously folks.. Aj needs visionaries not old creakers hell bent on getting their civil servant pension ONLY n thats ALl they seem to care about.....  if NO ONE  CARES about whats needed in aj during this voting season n lets the old guard back in.. YOU ALL DESERVE THE CITY WIDE DECAY DESOLATION it deserves n massive evacuation out of Aj into a city thats modern alive that wants NEW businesses to come in  and to see old ones remodle n become more.. mom n pop shops that arent  shut down. or abandoned lots over grown wiht trees weeds trash.. because the city has NO balls to slap the owerns a heffty fine no warning letters.. ..  no one in the old guard CARES.. its all about MONEY pensions micromanaging thier way OR ELSE... tryiung to shut you up by sendng oiut detectives.. ..... VOTE whats right for Aj not whats DECAYING CEREWEKING N SMDELLS OF DEPENDS... life,.. vision... jobs.. attractions events... .. or not care n leave it as it is n see how long aj remains till they are bankrupted by the LACK of vision..... Clearly the signs are therre.......... MY 2 votes are for RIZZY and  STRUBBLE.. Aj deserves a chance to come alive not be stuck for ever in 1813 foisted western design ONLY vote your heart... cionsider whats been said.. vision over decay...see if Aj makes the decision to come alive or vacate..........I have NEVEDR been political ever but i came to aj n seen what COULD BE... seen the other cities rake in bucks hold events street fairs events drawin celebs n tv shows n then theres AJ... AS DEAD AS A DOOR NAIL... your vote will change that or have it remain a NON EXISTANT city.. or a city of art life vision ... VOTE FOR THE BEST FOR AJ not save my pension n power please... for that will get Aj no where but bankruptcy decay dead end...... if i had the funds when insalacos time is up ID RUN FOR MAYOR... cause my eyes arent OLD I hyave a vision for aj... id have serdy as my vm for he too has the vision and Aj would be ripped out of the 1813 mentality n lack of vision n take Aj into the modern age...  one day perhaps that will be me in the cfenter chair.. ajs first oopenly gay mayor FOR AJ... bringing in jobs events making aj the hub of activity.. sadlt as it is now NOTHING COMES TO AJ..... much less wants to since the city council except mr serdy IS agaisnt anything NEW entering into JA.... for thaqt reason alone we need visionaries.. not old trolls bent on their wauy or else.. idf i ran on.. deal wiht it at least I have a passion for thios city if the others dont............vote for vision not decay RIZZY,.... STRUBBLE... period....

It's been 5 years. At what point does your messiah take responsibility for this: http://www.usdebtclock.org/ ?

Shouldn't every month be safe digging month? ;)

Any news on Elliott E. Fisher, Apache Junction, AZ and the pending felony charge against him?

Natural Gas Pipelines in Your Community

 Natural gas provides clean, economic, reliable, and efficient energy to homes, schools, and businesses.  Natural gas pipelines are one of the safest methods of energy transportation; however, damage to pipelines can occur.  Since most natural gas pipelines are buried underground, you may not be aware that you live or work close to a pipeline.  Pipelines are often marked by above ground signs to provide an indication of their presence, the product carried, and the contact information of the pipeline operator. These signs are typically located along pipeline right-of-ways and at road and railroad crossings.

 As part of Mesa's on-going Safety Program, pipelines are inspected regularly for damages or leaks.  By learning that natural gas pipelines are present and being able to recognize and react to a natural gas leak early, you can help to keep natural gas pipelines safe for everyone.

 A natural gas leak may be present if you...

• Smell: An odor similar to rotten eggs.
• Hear: An unusual hissing sound coming from a pipeline, appliance, or a natural gas meter.
• See: Unusual changes to soil, dead or dying vegetation.

If you suspect a natural gas leak, call the City of Mesa at (480) 644-4277 (GASS) or call 911. 

Is there really a cowboy fest going on in AJ?  When and where cuz I want to come.

Would it be safe to assume he is on some sort of work leave?  Now might be a good time for him to start that bus service to AJ he always talked about. It could be a very profitable venture for him. 

I've tried checking the state board's meeting minutes a couple of times, but haven't been able to find anything.

Public access court records are sketchy, but there is still activity on the case...

Bump

What's the latest on the Fisher felony charge?  Anybody heard anything?

a musical fest where theres REVENUE that will be collected and mom n pop shops getting a NEEDED BOOST.. what is happening in Aj to draw tourists n pump into the local economy?? anything?? OH NO see barker hates MODERN ANYTHING but 1813 ideas n look. inslacaco HATES nnything NEW to try to come in to AJ.. waldron the walpite n rogers wilson AHVE NO VISION WHAT SO EVER PERIOD.. no one sees a opertunity that COULD BE held in Aj ot raise revenue n give the local mom n pop shgops OPEN N THRIVING. oh ho see when we VOTE in may remember INSALCCO CARES NOT BARKER CARES NOT WALDRON CARES NOT ROGERS CARES NOT WILSON CARES NOT they have ABSOLUTLY NO VISION WHAT SO EVER for this city THEY ARE ALL FOCUSED ON THIER CIVIL SERVANT PENSIONS... not about what COULD be coming to AJ ot bolster the comunity  but what THEY can ruel over n have THIER OWN PERSONAL AGENDAS made out.. Aj has no ANYTHING happening here.. if its gonna happen hte INFORMATION officer at the city of commerce should have POSTERS ADS OUT at least 2 weeks before the event n PROMOTIONS for it.. from what ive seen THAT PERSON FAILS BIG TIME.. seems NO one gives a rats all in AJ... 

what Im getting at is VISION the mayor doenst ewant NO NEW councilmembers he  desires the OLD DECAYED DEAD END RETIRED councilmembers to be palced in so NO OPERSONAL AGENDA IS LOST..  he has NO vision n clearly it shows.. QUOTE we dont want to have to TRAIN anyone on HOW the "SYSTEM" works..  then WHY TAKE A CLI class youll NEVER GET IN.. See Aj is heading into summer n NOTHING will take place cause the  ELDERLY SET who has NO VISION much less a  IDEA they will STOMP  on ANY new business that tries to come into j sine AJ IS SEEN AS ANTI BUSINESS ANTI GROWTH.. news flash barker the portolas are DEAD N GONE ... care to fiocus on the NOEW n MODERN??/ pity you wont..  SO i will say this jeff  strubble n christa rizzi are a GOD SEND to the council when election time comes THEY have the VISION.. and smitherson.. please he DUMPED AJ for a suprevision osition n pay NOW he wants back in.. NEXT.... its NOT in the forecast jr.. .. Aj seriously needs LIFE n no one on the counil except for mr serdy whose ideas always get slapped down by the good ol boys .. who desire to run aj into the ground..

NOTHING NEW NOTHINGG NEW NOTHING NEW,, wake up AJ this town is DIEING... with out a VISION the people parrish... same for AJ.. OLD DEAD END THINKING WOBNT BRING IN ANYTGHING NEEDED OR NEW INTO J but drive it away or beat it into the gorund by waldron the walpite n YES he was apart of the TEAM  in 07 recall and I was sitting in front seen n heard it all so WALDRON can lie.. THE VIDEO FOOTAGE N SIGNS PAPER TRAILS CANT... folks wake up Aj is on the brink of GERITOL N DEPEBNDS if we dont ACt n vote for VISIONS.. the mayor has none barker is stuck in the 1800s nothing MODERN she wants.. waldron was fired BY the council for going behind thier backs..  n THEY played a cherrade to brinbg him back WHY FEAR OF ANYTHING NEW.. wilsons ONLY FOR THE HORSEIES... GAIL WHOS KNOWS but her  FUNNY ways during a called meeting of SUPPORTERS ONLY that was to be a OPEN community meetng clearly WAS NOT... remember PERSONAL AGENDAS..  me serdy the ONLY one up there wiht a vision so beaten down that he sits n just looks frazzeld.. im sure he wonders HOW THE HELL they get re elected each time when they DO NOTHING BUT DENY DENY DENY any businbess that has a desire to coem to aj n BUILD hello JOBS> REVENUE... not personal agends..

THIS alone should spark voters into openibng thier eyes.. IF aj goes back to what it was before the elections MOVE aj is NO LONGER WORTH IT for the VISION IS DEAD... such potiential this city has but the leaders are more interested in MICRO MANAGING N SHAKING HANDS WIHT A FAKE SMILE personal agends rather that WHAT AJ NEEED... vote the trolls out vot in VISION shake up the seats.. lord knows the current council except mr serdy does VOTE VISION not OLD CRONIESwhos bent on personal agendas... I wont vote3 for no OLD TROLL.. Aj deserves a VISION... christa and jeff..  OUST the OLD DECREPID DECAY mind set. vote for a vision...  get the word out Aj can not go forward when its being held backwards by personal agendas n NO VISION..  AJ must survive not fall back to 1813 mind set

You would think a business would understand this.

Pinal County Ordinance prohibits music that can be heard 125' beyond property line. Two of the last 3 weekends I have had to listen to your music and am more than 900' from your property. I stopped by this evening, tying to do the right thing and be a good neighbor. Yes, you dialed it down some, but are still in violation. i will work with you for a bit longer if you will work with your neighbors as it would be the preferred method of correcting your violations. Your cooperation is appreciated. 

You can view Pinal County noise ordinance at the following link

http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Forms/Documents/NoiseOrdinance.pdf

A huge AMEN to an extraordinary summary of Amereica/s feelings.

Thank You azsunshine! I'm trying ..

Since the Independent wrote the article,  the vandalism has stopped and I have had more people ask for signs in their yard than what can keep up with ... An artist friend of mine and several other people contacted me about helping clean up and paint over the vandalized signs .. 

God bless my friend Vel, she's been approached and questioned several times from AJPD and concerned citizens while painting the signs .. 

I sure appreciate all the support, it really means a lot  .. Thank You!! ..

April is National Safe Digging Month

Getting ready to do an outdoor project that involves digging? Before starting that project, before putting a shovel to dirt, learn about and practice safe digging.

 Utilities may be buried only a few inches underground making them easy to hit even during shallow digging projects. When utility lines are hit, injuries, property damage, and inconvenient outages can result in the responsible party being held financially responsible. To safeguard your family, your property, your community, the availability and reliability of utilities, CALL 811 (Arizona Blue Stake) AT LEAST TWO BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE EVERY DIGGING PROJECT-IT’S FREE AND IT’S THE LAW!

 Failure to call 811 before digging results in an estimated 40% of all U.S. digging damages. Digging safely is easy: call 811 before you dig, wait for utilities to be located and marked, know your responsibilities for customer-owned facilities, respect the marked lines by making sure you can see them throughout the course of the project, and always dig with care around the marks.

 Save time and money, keep your family and our neighborhood's safe, and help to avoid disruptions to utility services. Safe digging is everyone’s responsibility. Do your part. Know what’s below, call 811 before you dig. Visit www.mesaaz.gov/energy for more information.

It makes me happy that you're not letting this stop you from enjoying the good things in life. Easter egg hunts are priceless. And the kids will probably remember them for many years to come. I'm so glad your nasty neighbors can't stop you from being happy and enjoying your home.

Excellent!  Hoping you all have a wonderful day!

Yep, the kids will all be here looking for eggs

I think you may be right.  There are som many extreme positions it is hard to find a balanced person.

I don't think it's just seniors - and I also don't think that the targets are exclusive to anything that isn't extremely right wing.  It is the Age of Indignance, if you ask me.  It's all the rage now to be offended, or to be offensive. 

I have noticed that there are many seniors in East Valley who are irritated by almost everything that isn't extremely right wing.  These Seniors are Wildly Indignant about Nearly Everything and SWINE is a good acronym.

Hope you're not planning to have the kids' friends over for an Easter Egg hunt. 

Saw your vandaled sign on the Trail.  Really childish and mean for someone to do that.  I never saw the article by the Barkers...hopefully the AJPD looks into the vandalism.

The best revenge is to win!

Good luck Christa!!

Our little friend was at it again last night .. They broke off and stole the flags and little sayings "who does this " that I added to the vandalized signs .. One sign was torn completely down .. This is not a kid it's an adult .. An adult who also target people with my signs in there yards ... One person was left a nasty note with Barkers slandering editorial on their front door .. That's not a simple case of vandalism, it's a hate crime and AJPD should take notice ..

If I remember correctly something similar was done to Joe Severs when he ran for council ..

Ask yourself this ... Who doesn't want Christa Rizzi in office and why? ..  

I was thinking that too- eventually the fire dept will get fed up with being called out to nothing more than a bbq. Its a sad day when a person can't even grill their dinner without being harrassed and having the fire dept called on them. What a crock.

And I'm guessing that AJFD does not have a high tolerance level for frivolous calls.  The time is approaching when they will be busy with real fires.

Yes, absolutey. Document everything. Make a paper trail.

I echo Christa's advice.  Document every visit.  And talk about it.  People need to know that this is going on.  I am still in shock that city government is apparently sanctioning this behavior. 

The firefighters couldn't believe it. I knew this was going to happen. We won't even be able to breathe without being accused of something. It's sad when somebody has nothing better to do than harass their neighbors.

What was the response of the fire fighters? .... Too bad the caller can't be back charged ... I'd keep a log of every incident, date, time, a brief of what happened and names of who showed up  .... 

They think they will wear you down ... Stay strong !! ..

Wow!!! What next? Ever since this secret neighborhood meeting I have had code enforcement visit my home to check out an unlicensed day care I was supposedly running out of my house. Then last night we got a visit from the AJ Fire Department. They got a complaint that we were burning our trash. We were grilling our dinner. When is somebody going to take this seriously???? Our tax dollars are paying for these visits. Yes, I live in a lovely neighborhood.

And besides, it could backfire. 

Yes, you know who I am.  Funny you mention Dale's poetry.  I was thinking to myself the other day, "Hmmm, didn't he used to write poems?"

Yes MrsK, now that I know who you are, "the piano player". You played the piano to the song, "Never Seen Blue Like That" at my husband's memorial service. I heard you and the "singer" play that song a year before my husband died and knew immediately that I wanted it played at his funeral. We all knew he was dying. It's funny, my daughter found a poem on Sunday that he had written in 1998 when another neighbor (in this same neighborhood) was being harrassed. His words are true today and I believe he wanted us to find this to help us carry on. Here it is:

NEIGHBORS

Yes, I live in my own little world

In a wooden house that's my oyster's pearl

But I am a rebel in this simple town

Because to my neighbors I won't bow down

No, I won't bow down to their way of life

I will make my stand with my girls and wife

On this island full of snakes and sand

I will live in peace but protect my land

I will stay here till my dying days

On my island surrounded by castaways

I will bide my time mixing work and play

And pretend my neighbors moved away

Written by:  Dale Francis Leeb  8-5-98

That's what I'm wondering too- who might be next? The little old ladies with old metal carports? Possibly my grandparents? Possibly people who have a hard time getting out in to the heat and cleaning up their yards? WHO might be the next target?

 I think MrsKskid may be on to something ... Why not go talk to your neighbor if these things were truely happening ... I just can't imagine treating my neighbors like this ....

So, who's next ?! ..

Why are you asking Obama for a recount?  Such an idiot.  Obama cannot order a recount.  The states, by constituion, control their voting.  Any state can order a recount of its votes.  The Obama administration can't. 

Such idiocy should be prohibited on these sites.  Is there no adult supervision here???

In regards to the letter that encourages neighbors to take pictures and such- If someone is standing in the street or on a city sidewalk (which, I dont think there are any sidewalks in your neighborhood) they are technically allowed to take pictures of what ever they want. HOWEVER if anyone comes on to your property (that is trespassing) and is taking pictures of you, your property, or your kids/grandkids, THAT IS HARRASSMENT. Call 911. Make a police report. File an order of restraint. That will make it so they will have to stay at least 300 feet away from your property boundaries, and away from you and your family. I know that won't completely stop the problem, but at least you will have some sence of privacy on your own property.

It seems to me that they are trying to label you as a "nuisance residence". And it also seems to me that there is an agenda at play here. I know someone who's very knowledgable about things like this. He says, once they label you as a nuisance, its very similar as a slum and blight situation. And it paves the way for the small people, like city council members, to take it higher, like to the county officials. If the county gets involved, they will come out to your home and start snooping. Looking for anything at all that is not up to code- and they are the ones who can really make a problem for you.

Its very clear to me whats going on here. Someone wants your property.

I am glad you have at least one good neighbor.  I am also a piano player.  "I Never Saw Blue Like That."

I haven't heard from the city about my letter to Patrick Brenner. Did hear from the City Attorney, but the questions I want answered were not addressed. Talked to another neighbor who went to the meeting with the intentions of meeting new people and learning something new. She was appalled that the meeting was totally about me. She is a very shy, soft spoken woman so didn't say anything. Learned a lot. She is the closest neighbor to me and has never had a problem with us in the last 30 years.

MrsK, I have no clue who you are, I keep racking my brain trying to think of the girls I had that year. Sooo long ago. Thank you for the support.

Have you heard back from anyone in the city? ....

Nobody is looking at a recount.  Romney LOST. Period.  People just don't like his policies.  Until the Republican Party finds a way to include Latinos (who are natural born Republicans--antiabortion, hard working, family oriented and generally not looking to live on handouts) and sjeds itself of gun manufacturers and the welfare-for-the-rich mentality, there will not be any Republican President for the foreseeable future.  The Republican core--Rich, old white folks and Rednecks are minorities and shrinking.  However, the upside is that the sequester will likely affect education.  Having more ignorant rednecks could boost the Party.

The Obama Administrataion has advised that it will not interfere with state laws.  Part of this is practical.  In a state that the majority of voteres has voted to legalize marijuana, it would be virtually impossible to get a conviction from a jury.  They refer to that as "jury nullification" whereby juries would effectively nullify the federal law.

Not necessarily true.  There are a lot of anti-legalization prople, and Romney had so many other disasters (guns, immigration, welfare for the rich etc.) that nothing would help.

kenjames makes some good points.  The current evildoers who sell pot will go to something else for a while.  However, when Holland legalized all drugs, their crime rate went down.  There are still many drug related problems there, but the benefits far outweighed the costs.  Currently wse have the equivalient of Prohibition.  We spend billions of dollars on federal, state, and local drug enforcement and get nothing in return.  Legalize it  and tax it to provide the money to pay for the problems and we can use our law enforcement people for more useful things.

not obviously lmore expensive.  The current illegal system creates enormous profits for the suppliers because the supply is constrained. We spend kazillions on drug enforcement and get nothing in return.  We have Prohibiition all over again, except the names arent Italian.  In fact, if we also legalized cocaine, we would stabilize three countries, US, Columbia and Mexico.  They are made unstable by our demand for cocaine and making it illegal.

I don't think you could possibly have handled it any better (or any differently).  What kind of city officials send letters to people without investigating, without talking to the residents being accused?  Parties?  Drugs?  What?  You were my daughter's third grade teacher, BTW.  You go, girl!

Yes that's what happened in my neighborhood. I've been there since the eighties when my late husband and I bought the place. It was our little paradise until these people started moving in and trying to change everything.

Here's the letter I sent Mr. Brenner:

Feb. 26, 2013

Dear Mr. Brenner, This letter is regarding the North Tepee/Cortez Neighborhood Outreach Meeting which was held on Jan. 23, 2013 at Councilwoman Gail Evans’ house.                                                         On February 20, 2013, at approximately 2pm, you and I had a telephone conversation. During that conversation I handed the phone to my fiancé to speak on my behalf. We had asked you to answer a few questions. At the time you had no answers so I will ask the questions again in written form.

1.Please provide dates and publication means for this meeting. We have tried to find this answer ourselves by researching past Apache Junction newspapers and the Apache Junction web site, but couldn’t find anything published about this meeting. We even asked the City Attorney but he could not answer this question.

2.This meeting was called “North Cortez/Tepee Neighborhood Meeting”.  Please provide me with the boundaries of this “neighborhood”. On the phone you said there were no actual boundaries. My question is: How are you able to invite the “neighborhood” if you are unable to define the “neighborhood”? What you really did was hold a city sponsored ambush of one or 2 homeowners.

3.You also stated that you printed up flyers as invitations to this meeting. You had no answer as to whom they were delivered to, as all the “neighbors” were not invited. I would not consider this a neighborhood meeting if not all the neighbors were invited.

4.In your letter dated Jan. 29, 2013 which was hand put in my mailbox, you are teaching or encouraging the neighbors the correct way to “STALK or TARGET” their fellow neighbor, (ME) so I can be prosecuted. Please advise if you and the City of Apache Junction are willing to accept responsibility if a confrontation occurs; due to a “neighbor” being on the property photographing and/or videotaping my young grandchildren that reside there. Also, you are encouraging neighbors to spy and trespass on private property.

In your MEMORANDUM to the Mayor and City Council dated 12/13/2013, You stated: “A frequent “Party House”” “Bonfires” “Loud music with a microphone PA system in use” “Parties that go on till 4:00 am” “Information about City services and programs I’m sure would be appreciated but the focus will be on the above.” Mr. Brenner, in your words let’s focus on the above. A frequent “Party House” While I am the home owner, my daughter and her family live in the house. As I am working out of town, I am there most weekends. I will admit they frequently do have friends over. If you check with the police department you will find that they have been called only once in the last year for noise and they found no problems. They were called 4 or 5 times that night. We were in compliance and no warnings were given.
Bonfires Yes, we do have warming fires outside. At times we listen to music as we relax and enjoy family and friends that come to visit. Never have we burned our garbage. We burn wood. If there was a stench in the air, it was not from us. If I remember right, a neighbor across the street admitted to another neighbor that she was burning old molded hay. That may be where the “stench” came from. I believe the fire department was called because of the fire she was burning. Loud Music with a microphone PA system in use This did happen in the beginning of Dec. We were doing a karaoke night for my grandson’s birthday. When I left at 10:00 pm, there had been no complaints by neighbors. After I heard my home was being accused of playing the PA system until 4:00 am, I contacted the AJPD to inquire about any complaints from that night/early morning. They verified to me that there were none.
Parties that go on till 4:00am As there are no police reports or complaints verifying this, this should not be an issue.                                                                                                                                              Mr. Brenner, you knew in December of 2012 that these accusations were targeting my house located at 2455 E. Tepee St. and yet you failed to contact me directly about these concerns. Nor did you make sure I was notified of this Neighborhood Partnership Meeting so that I might defend and/or address these so called problems with my neighbors. You, as the Community Relations Manager, should make sure these meetings are fair. You job is not to pit one neighbor against another, which is exactly what you have done. You had more than a month to notify me of this meeting, yet you chose not to. I have now received threats and warnings from my so called neighbors. See attached letter and envelope that was hand put into my mail box on February 19, 2013.                                                                                                       Mr. Brenner, there were also complaints that were not in you memorandum. These I wish to address: Drug paraphernalia found in neighbor’s yard The neighbor that I assume complained about this has twin step daughters who have a record of DUI’s for illegal drugs and paraphernalia.

Throwing trash over neighbor’s fences I can assure you this never happened. Yes, with the strong winds that invade the area from time to time, a trash barrel may get blown over. It has happened to many of us. While we do try to clean it up in a timely manner, we cannot trespass on others property. If this has happened to any of my neighbors, I sincerely apologize. 　

In closing, I have never done anything purposely to annoy or irritate my neighbors. I bought my property in July 1982. At that time, I had very few neighbors. In the last 10 years, many people have moved into the neighborhood, building big beautiful homes. I believe mine and many other older homes in the area are not up to their standards. I also believe the ulterior motive is to force the lower and middle class out of my neighborhood, so as not to devalue their fancy homes. This is my take on what has transpired in my neighborhood. A few neighbors had complaints ranging from 6 months to 6 years ago. They threw them into a big pot. They called it stew and fed it to you. There are no police reports, zoning violations, or any facts to back up these false accusations.

My last question: Isn’t it a conflict of interest to have a city council member as the neighborhood organizer of these so called “Neighborhood Partnership Meetings”?                                                           I would appreciate a response to my questions in a timely matter.

Thank you,

Judy Leeb 2455 E. Tepee St. Apache Junction, AZ 85119

I have to say, I have lived in this community for a very long time.  Like, over 44 years.  My parents moved out here when I was a kid, and when I hear about things like this I am reminded why I moved into Pinal County outside the limits of this fair city.

If I were you, I would be looking for a lawyer who would be willing to take them on.  This is outrageous.  City personnel should know better than to put their names on these kinds of letters. 

I am just speechless.  I shouldn't be surprised, though.  This is what happens when a bunch of people decide that they want to change an area that has been rural for decades, until a bunch of yahoos moved out here from the city and built expensive houses. 

Rather spineless to type "your neighbors" but no one actually signed the "get out or else" letter... People seem to have all sorts of nerve when they hide behind a computer screen or what have you..

Frankly I'm shocked that Gail would hold such a meeting at her home and only a week after her husband passed ...

I also find it disturbing that your neighbors handle concerns in such an underhanded, sneaky manner ...

Wonder if this ties in with targeting people that have my signs in their yards ... Someone certainly didn't like my sign at the mailbox of this residence ... 

I understand the Barkers recently had a little eighty something year old lady take down a carport ....

This is how the city will be run, with an iron fist huh? ..

Well squirl it's not over yet... While Evans did get elected, we have to go to a run off May 21st for the last two seats ..

Here's the results  -http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AZ/Pinal/45703/115328/Web01/en/summary.html

Apparently a bag of ballots got left outside of Cactus Canyon Jr. High and had to be retrieved ...  

VACATE AJ its not worth in vesting or speaking seems the voters are as well stuck in a rut RAN by barker insalcco  waldron the walpite gail n now smitherson aj IS OFFICALLY A LOST CAUSE th4ey city will NEVER GROW expand  create JOBS revenue just more micromanaging and good ole boy politics n AGENDAS rampant..  thiose who ran  for the council had a good run came close.  but AJ is NOT worth it anymore.. the town is decaying  and the council gives 6 sheets to the wind about it its all about AGENDAS.. politics QUELL THE WXPANSION quell abny creativity quell any businessmans expansion or would like to... ITS OVER...  OR IS IT?????...

 Recall is the option  as well as a massive camping to  wake up the voters to VISION  not the same OLD western enough  crap.. AJ i  pity you  you chose poorly.. that or youre too OLD to have any vision for this city and No im NOT fisher  im yuban 16 i stood up for the council in 07.. suppoirted them.. I  do NOT  now.. the past 2 ytears  n recently  seems the mayor n waldron the walpite tore into a business owner who wanted to expand n bring in somehting not new but they  idea was they both placed the nail in the coffin on the busioness owners idea... berated him..  what I should have let happen was to have the team n walp come into aj  perhaps Then aj would have had growth n expansion and direction.. not micromanaging  and feigning we dont want to hire ANY cli grads we want OLD councilmembers of the past  cause they KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS.. (insalacos words..._ That shows you how much he cares about Aj... OH WAIT they only care about thier civil servant pension n PAY CHECKS... nothing else. once more Aj kudos for having NO vision or thee capacity to move forward remembering its 2013 not 1813........ get ready Aj the MASS EXODUS is coming soon

Here are links that make it easier to read the letters.

This is the letter Mr. Brenner sent people who attended the meeting at councilmember Gail Evans home and a threat from my neighbors. Both were stapled together and hand placed in my mailbox.

Here is the letter Mr. Brenner sent people attending the meeting at counilmember Gail Evans home. It instructs them ho to harass my family for unfounded allegations. No one ever approached me about these allegations. (easier to read if you click toggle full screen mode, bottom right icon)

Do you still have that letter?  I think you should post it on every public web site related to this town.

You are being asked to consider relocating?  Kids making noise?  Wow.  Do private property owners no longer have the right to enjoy their property and let their kids/grandkids play on it? 

I also question the open meeting laws. I was targeted because of a lot of false accusations. Now I am being asked to consider relocatiing because my grandchildrens' noise is a nuisance. According to a letter hand put in my mailbox, my neighbors are asked to send written testimony/complaints to their neighborhood organizer, Gail Evans. I feel this is a total conflict of interest to have a councilwoman as the organizer. especially when I live right across the street from her and she never had the nerve to contact me personally. Instead they held a secret meeting. I am posting this because I don't want other people to have to go through what I am going through. It is a nightmare.

This all sounds good, but some people forget about the middle class citizens who have worked hard and helped build this community. I for one have worked and supported this community for over 30 years. I was told, "it is about time you thought about relocating" in a letter hand put in my mailbox. It was signed, "Your neighbors". This was after a so called "Neighborhood Outreach Meeting" which was held at a councilwoman's house, encouraged by the city, which I wasn't invited to. This is not the Apache Junction that I raised my children in. Now my grandchildren live in my house and I am being told they are a nuisance because of the noise they make. Is this what you want AJ,  new money coming in and trying to push the middle man out?

It's refreshing!

Just thought I share ..  

It is rather strange to be having an election with Elliot no where around ..

In my experience, as a working artist, unions are scum - they attempted to prevent me from working on a jobsite because I was not a member of their union - I am an ARTIST! The result?  A union employee had to sit and DO NOTHING for the entire job, and h\got paid scale for DOING NOTHING, in order for my crew of ARTISTS to be allowed to install a mural.

Unions are run by scumbags that have destroyed the work ethic of this country! All one has to do is look atthe reliability of GM and Chrysler products (relibaility and customer satisfaction of both dropped substatantially after the bailout by hard-working taxpayers of these union scum looking for a free ride)>

If I had not already cast my vote, you still would have lost it!

Mr. F is being awfully quiet for a guy who used to do just about anything to get attention. 

Mr. Smithson with your experience and vision for our future you are just what Apache Junction needs!  Good luck on Tuesday!

Copied below is a letter to the editor submitted to the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent newspaper. You can post your opinions by clicking on "Reply."

Quality future development needs vision and experienced leadership

We are in a unique position to develop something extraordinary; different from any other community in Arizona.  We must assure that future development (residential, recreational and commercial) take advantage of the Superstition Mountains and other surrounding outdoor offerings. 

An important part of assuring quality development should be to encourage well trained, committed tradespeople and use of local businesses and residents where possible.

In recognition of this commitment, I am pleased that I have received endorsements from the Political Action Committees of both the Arizona Pipe Trades U. A. Local Union 649 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 640 (IBEW 640).  I am pleased to receive these endorsements as recognition that I am committed to fair treatment of workers and quality construction and development in Apache Junction.   

One of the major factors in deciding to run again for the A. J. City Council is my concern for quality future development in the city.  Good planning, high standards, and a commitment to excellence will help take full advantage of what A. J. has to offer. 

Apache Junction has been making significant progress in using the economic downturn to prepare for the next upturn in the economy.  Planning has included zoning changes to improve the look and viability of Apache Trail, working for downtown development that will change the way we look at Apache Junction, and preserving the large lots and open space in the north part of the city while planning for future high quality development south of the freeway.  I want to be a part of continuing the planning process and making it happen.

I look forward to using my experience as city planner, city manager, service on the Apache Junction City Council and the Pinal County Board of Supervisors to help A. J. take advantage of the unusual qualities and opportunities we have to offer. 

Clark L. Smithson

Apache Junction

Does anyone know if there are any future plans to improve and

widen Gray Rd. in Queen Creek, One lane each direction is not adequate to handle the traffic flow and continues to worsen with new home building. I have witnessed accidents at the intersection of Gary and Empire.

Do you know what the purpose of the meeting was, or what the results were?

I thought that elected officials were supposed to avoid even the appearance of violating the open meeting law.  Wasn't there some hullaballoo a few years ago, about a group of council members having coffee together at the VI?

Any news regarding Fischer?

N. Cortez/Tepee area

Where is this neighborhood?

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CRONISM  in Aj politics.. im suprizes IS IT WESTERN ENOUGH BARKER wasnt there  MICRO MANAGING ... so a SELECT few get told.. not the PUBLIC at large.. see a VOTE for the OLD GUARD means more BS for Aj.. its EGOS and AGENDAS not how can we bring needed commerce- jobs -and renevue INTO AJ.. nope noithing about that but that its our livelyhood that PAY CHECK  that tells us were council members.. NOT caring about the COMMUNITY at large.. a vote for the OLD guard will keep Aj in the mind set of 1813 NOT 2013... tell the old guard GET THE HOOK vote MODERN vote NEW vote for LIFE not OLD STODDGY CRONIEYISN.

Bump

"Bad boys bad boys" whatcha gonna do when the elections come for you

Omg, elections coming up and no mention of his name :-/

So how is  Elliot?

WellWell here we are yet again.. vote for me and "ILL SVE AJ" yeah weve heard that line before. seems that its the OLD GUARD SO desperate to HOLD on to power n PAY  that will SAY n tell stories of candidates that are running againts the OLD OLD GUARD.. Seems the mayor n BARKER you know her shes the one whose constantly FOISTING WESTERN DESIGN ONLY nothing modern n yet MICROMANAGES everyone.. LIKE in a POWER TRIP.. well....... Seems we have good candidates this time and OLD OLD GUARD  only interests in the council seats is the PAY  -funny how waldron the walpite got in to  his appt!!!!!!!! when he was FIRED before from the council n HIS LIES of not being on the TEAM  of 07 -proof old man theres PLENTY OF PROOF IOF.. pity pity . OH the Mayor teling all that he doesnt want ANOY ONE NEW cause wed have to TRAIN.... them..  on HOW it works... (odd the CLI grads deserve a chance OH WAIT the MAYOR doesnt want ANYTHING NEW to come into Aj or make waves for the OLD GUARDS)

 Seems that the paper- AJ NEWS is slighting a few candidates well WHOM owns the paper ??.. BARKER whose partial owner....??? BARKER funny that  dont you think. HMMMMMMMMM...  THE OLD COUNCIL with one exception mr serdy The current council  has NO ambition NO goals NO vision for aj.. just MAINTAIN THE OLD  pay the OLD... keep the OLD GUARD on the seats n in PAY ONLY... i stood against the walpites in the refcall of 07  only to  find out more youve got to be kidding  circumstances... I DO NOT SUPPORT ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL EXCEPT JEFF SERDY.. hes got the balls n the drive to see this city become alive- jobs /revenue ACVTIVITY. but is constantly SLAPPED DOWN BY the mayor, barker, waldron, gail, wilson... after a while it works on a persons  drive..

BUT NO jeff has ideas n HAS THE VISION FOR AJ -Barker, Insalaco. Waldrn, Wlson, Gail- DOES NOT n they try to discredit characters DITRY POLITICS.. only thinking of THIER PAY n PERKS n POWER  not about how Aj can rebuild. can be alive. vibrant. and allureing to businesses n comnpanies that CAN locater to aj providing JOBS.. no the OLD guard doesnt want that WHAT SO EVER.. They want OLD -decay- emptyness n YOUR VOTES will either say HELL NO U MUST GO or be OLD like they are n see Aj continually DECAY under thier adm..

The vote is clear.. VISION OUT OF THE BOX THINKERS /ALIVE- JOBS- REVENUE . Not decay n OLD GUARD... Remember its not 1813 BARKER, its 2013... A Mayor..... is more than a  FAKE SMILE N COLD HANDSHAJKE... What does Aj deserve.. OLD TROLLS or NEW VIBRANT LIFE.. remember when voting.. the OLD GUARD desperatly needs that PAY.. if thats the ONLY reason they stay on those seats n the power then AJ IS LOST.. VOTE VISIONARIES -OUT OF THE BOX THINKERS- NOT OLD CREAKERS stuck in the 1800's BARKER... Aj deserves better... 

"This is another reason that you have to investigate everything that you read on CNN's web site. "

Please include Fox, MSNBC and the rest of the news organizations in your generalization of news organizations!

The problem would be with wood chips or saw dust inside of the stables getting mixed in with the manure. Any type of wood product hinders growth.

A little nibble on a tree I can see, eating enough of wood to have large quantities in the poop, I don't see it happening.  What kind of horses have you been around that have alot of wood in their poop?

Unless the manure is wood free, it does not work as well for fertilizer from what I understand.

Why not just add it to their arena and work it in?  Better to land on nice fluffy poop than hard dirt!

If the manure really is that big of problem, why not limit the problem.  How about limiting the number of horses inside the city?  That seems to be the real issue.

And I'm a resident and don't really care for the city to be known for that identity. I'd rather see it grow up and be an attractive place that draws people to it. Now if that includes horses and horse business, fine.  

Well, I said horse community because compared to many other cities we have a lot of horse propertiies and because it seems the citizens want to have that identity ..

I knew the manure was an issue but not to what magnitude, until listening to SHA mebers, some being horse boarders .. Even though the manure can help the garbage break down apparently there is way more going to the dump than I ever realized .. I was rather surprised to hear how many horse owners could fill a forty yard dumpster in a few days or a week..one person gave an example of what one horse produces in a day and week ... If I remember correctly there was an issue a while back about people throwng it directly in their trash cans because technically its' "combustible" ...

Someone not very knowledgeable about large animals commented that the odor would be an issue .. I own burros ( so sweet) and actually it's not the manure that smells and attracts flies, it's the urine .. Manure can be processed in a way that it repells flies .. which could be another use ...

I like the idea of the garden and the possibilities.  I don't like the attitude of the Mayor.  No wonder nothing ever changes in AJ.

I'm just wondering though why you referred to AJ as a horse community.  Is it because there are people with horses who live here or is that the identity AJ is going after?

And I'm also curious how much of an issue is the manure at the dump, really.  Other than costing people to dump it, I would think it's the last thing in the dump that you really have to worry about.  It's biodegradable and natural.  

Superstition Horsmens Association recently held a City Council Candidate Forum. One of the questions asked was how will we assist the horse community with the manure going to the landfil. This is a growing concerned as it's costing residents a lot of money to take it to the landfil and it causing our landfil to fill up faster than it should be.

 Being a horse community I finding it disturbing that city leaders have not adressed this issue years ago ... I don't mean that as an attack on anyone but being a 17 yr. resident it's very frustrating to see the lack of progress in so many areas of our community ..

My answer was "a community garden!" ..  While this isn't a new concept and we've discussed this on newszap a few times before, its a very important issue to me ... I would really like to make this happen here ..

I've talked to a few people in the city about the land behind the multi gen and city complex being used for this purpose ... Now the Mayor completely disagreed and said "there's no way it could be done there because it's state land" .. 

I have a problem with new concepts or ideas being shut down right from the start .. This is narrowminded ... My perspective is let's start with a yes, talk about it and find a way to make it happen ...

Think about how awesome a real community garden ( not a feel good, publicity gaining replica) would be for Apache Junction... It would bring our youth together with older experienced farmers and we could be grow fresh fruits, vegetables, trees and flowers to supply our food bank, senior center, child day cares and a farmers market ...

It would be a great way to utilize the manure (which should not be wasted at the dump) and we could take this a few steps further ... One of the horsemen talked about trucking the manure out and selling it for compost.. .. This could also be done .. package, market and sell organic manure/compost ...

Also manure produces methane gas ... Seems there must be a way to use this for generating power .. We have an abundance, it's free, let's use it ...

And then we have the renewable energy ... Wind and solar power could also be done on site ... Apache Junction could really lead in this, creating interest, jobs and revenue! ...

...Think of the possibilites !! ..

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