Loosing My Mind wrote on May 7, 2008 3:17 PM:
" If it can be done, it should. Our quality of life here matters. The quiet zone being proposed is for the NORTH/SOUTH trains whose tracks were installed originally in 1897, after Hanford was already town (the N/S track were the SECOND set of tracks laid through Hanford). Hanford was named after James Madison Hanford whose company ran the EAST/WEST tracks that now run through Hanford (you know - the one with only a couple of trains a day). Either way, the frequency of train traffic, size of trains, power of the train horns, number of required horn blasts for each crossing, number of streets the train must cross, and time schedule of train traffic has significantly increased (changed for the worse) over the years. The horns can now be heard two miles away. That serves no real safety interest. (continued) "
give me a break wrote on May 7, 2008 3:17 PM:
" 'Residents Complaints'.. The tracks were here LONG before anyone built along them... now the ones who built along them 'complain' and MORE $$ is to be spent for their comfort... Come on people... OPEN YOUR EYES... see those long thin metal rails, GUESS WHAT those mean????!!! "
Still Loosing My Mind wrote on May 7, 2008 3:17 PM:
" (continued)
A quiet zone is what reasonable citizens must do to make some sanity of run-away legislation that is designed to protect those who nature did not intend to keep alive. Where will it end? Seriously, how many people in the last five years have been hit by the train? In the last five years, I can only recall drivers who drove their car into the train. That’s right, they hit the train; the train did not hit them! A quiet zone is supposed to quiet the trains between 10pm and 7am. We are not talking about the safety of little children playing along the tracks. If we can make our town more livable, won’t that raise the property values? For the naysayers, I suppose that when Hanford’s railroad tracks were originally laid, there were no phones, autos, computers, air conditioning, microwave ovens, sewer systems or the like. Do you enjoy those things now, or do you still live like you are in the late 1800’s? Grow up. Our town is, or haven’t you noticed?
"
Bubba wrote on May 7, 2008 5:42 PM:
" My family lives two blocks from the train tracks and when I go home that is one of the few things that Hanford has that is still Hanford. The horns never have bothered me. The way some people carry on about this subject bothers me more. Either way, the first time someone who is out partying till 2 or 3 in the morning and they either RUN INTO or the train RUNS INTO them, there will be a muti million lawsuit brought on by the family against the city and everyone will complain and they will bring the horns back. "
Watch Out wrote on May 7, 2008 5:57 PM:
" People, where do you think the city is going to get their money from? They probably will find a way to incorporate it into our utility bill. One more way this only affects homeowners. Just like the COS bond. But, I digress. I would like to see how they are going to pay for it first before I would support it. I live near a crossing and after about 6 months, I can't tell you when a train passes because I am used to it. "
DS wrote on May 7, 2008 8:19 PM:
" Loosing My Mind Your right you have lost it. I work close to the tracks and I can tell you those arms don't always come down when a train is coming down the track. So are you planning to tell a family that your sorry they lost a love one BUT YOU QUALITY of LIFE is GREAT ? The reason people haven't been hit by a Train in so long is because of the horn blowing. Are you going to complain about the Ambulance, Fire Truck & Police sirens next ? Doesn't that up set your quality of Life ? Since I live between the two hospitals I can tell you the ambulance sirens can wake you up from a sound sleep. But if I'm ever in one I think I'd want the siren on. "
Rev. Kenny Burchard wrote on May 7, 2008 9:10 PM:
" The train situation needs to be addressed completely. From a Pastor's perspective, the trains in Hanford literally ruin dozens of "sacred moments" every month in Hanford. For instance: At Christmas, I was at a beatiful concert featuring the Fresno Pacific Choir at St. Brigid's Church. A train blew and blew during this concert, and ruined the performance. The sound could be heard from 11th ave all the way into the St. Brigid's Chapel. I was at a wedding at the Civic Auditorium Lawn in February. The train blew and blew, and ruined the ceremony by blasting the horn while the bride and groom took their vows. I have done multipe funerals at local churches, and at the Hanford Cemetery. The horns can be heard during these sacred events, and must often be stopped during the blast of the train horns. There are several churches who meet near the tracks and mandatory "blast zones" and their worship gatherings, weddings, prayer meetings, and funerals are constantly interrupted by trains. Sometimes, there is a train going both ways at the same time which literally drowns out everything during these sacred moments. "
IDEA wrote on May 7, 2008 9:50 PM:
" Cut DOWD the ATTORNEY out of the picture and it would pay for the train silencing. "
Not a Problem wrote on May 7, 2008 10:51 PM:
" The trains have never kept me up at night, what has awoken me out of a dead sleep are cars blasting their music and all you hear is the bass shaking, that annoys me more then the trains. "
Mrs. Garvin wrote on May 7, 2008 11:11 PM:
" Here's an idea to pay for the Quiet Zone project. Take it out of Dowd's salary. That should about cover it. "
rebecca wrote on May 8, 2008 6:24 AM:
" What a shame to remove the train horns. They lulled me to sleep when I was a child on Colonial Drive and whenever I came "home" to Hanford, the sound of those horns brought back wonderful memories. "
Change wrote on May 8, 2008 6:41 AM:
" To: give me a break -
Hey, Dinosaurs were here LONG before you too but I bet you have no problem using their remains to fill your gas tank! My point is, things change brother, get use to it. People move to the city, even this city and that doesn't mean they want to or have to put up with trains blowing their horns all through town! I'm not thrilled about spendig millions to quiet things down but I'm sick of hearing the train horns all night long! It's time for a change, silence the horns! "
Watch Out Now wrote on May 8, 2008 11:29 AM:
" Have you noticed that when you complain, the horns seem to blow twice as loud and more often, especially at night?
Anyway, to "Give me a Break", I've lived here all my life. I don't recall their being the continued line of trains that go through Hanford today? Seems, like groceries, and gas, train usage has increased as well.
As far as the sound not bothering some, "my hats off to you" as I live miles away and it wakes me up at night. I guess it's like a chalkboard and fingernails, it bothers some, and to some, no bother.
If I had a choice between silencing the trains or making sure the City Council and it's "good ole boys" that surround it; were OUSTED, I'd rather be awakened by the trains all night.
Seems like a diversion to me by the City Council to take our minds off their paying the City Attorney to harrass former City Manager's and waste taxpayers money.
Good ole boy syndrom people! It's a disease that we need a cure for QUICK! Can you say Grand Jury? "
Loosing My Mind wrote on May 8, 2008 12:00 PM:
" Again folks, the quiet zone is only between 10pm and 7am. The trains will continue to blast away during the day. If the gates are malfunctioning, fix them. That is the problem. Every day, each one of us who drive travel trough intersections where 18-wheelers cross. When the light is green, one is still responsible to ensure that the cross traffic is stopped or coming to a stop before we enter the intersection. The green light is not a force field. Train horns can fail. Gates can fail. The world is fraught with dangers. Everyone needs to ensure that it is safe to cross railroad tracks before they do so. Train horns are necessary because in many parts of the country, trains cross roads that do not have measures (gates, lights and bells) installed to warn motorists that trains are coming. Fortunately in Hanford we have those measures. How many layers of warning must exist? Again, aren't we really talking about idiot-proofing the world here? If jury's wold throw out the B.S. lawsuits in the first place we wouldn't have this problem. But the juries are filled with the very idiots we saved at the train crossings! "
hanford fan wrote on May 8, 2008 1:07 PM:
" please do not spend the money to do this. there are other things in Hanford to do then silence train. thanks "
stephanie wrote on May 8, 2008 5:06 PM:
" I personally think that the horns are a necessary safetly measure. Our city has too many inexperienced, young drivers and plenty of pedestrians. There are plenty other projects the City of Hanford can spend $3 million on. How about figuring a way to get the egg smell sulfur water cleaned up? I bet that would improve quality of life in our lovely yet smelly town. "
I agree wrote on May 9, 2008 1:32 AM:
" Stephanie you are so right, I don't see how train horns are a higher priority then this nasty water, I mean Hanford is constantly made fun when it comes to the water and yes it is the nastiest smelling water, please use the money to clean up the water, I don't understand Lemoore's doesn't smell, neither does Visalia so whats up with Hanford???? "
CC Watchdog wrote on May 9, 2008 12:05 PM:
" If we can arrange the Recall to coincide with the General Election the only added cost will be the printing of the ballots. Two are up for election so we would actually only need to recall three cause as you can see the possibility of Bufford and Chin being reelected are slim and none. Once the recall is initiated I am sure they both will be convinced an additional term would be out of their grasp. Remember people this is for the benefit of the entire committee this isn't a decision that benefits one or all of the do nothing Five. We need to take our tax money back while we are still in the black.
This is about protecting your grandchildrens future, and our retirement money which we need more than the city of Hanford needs it. Taxation without Representation isn't uncommon in the thirteen colonies but it should be unheard of in 2008. Simply ask yourself the big question do you feel represented or not, if not fire them and start fresh, you fire enough people things start getting done. "
whitey wrote on May 9, 2008 1:40 PM:
" Its not the matter of trains were here first, its the matter of a nuisance. 3 am in the morning, praying your sick baby will fall back asleep, so that you can wake up in 2 hours after being up ALL night with your child, then comes along a train WHAILING on the horn, ALL THE WAY THROUGH TOWN only to wake the baby up again. It's not really a safety measure at 3am when there is close to NO CARS even NEAR the crossings. That is just plain irritating. Its the conductors who think their being funny, and they do it on purpose. they dont blair the horn like that during the day. there is no reason for them to do it in the wee hours of the morning. "
Watchdog wrote on May 9, 2008 3:35 PM:
" To Reverend Kenny Burchard, that horn blowing on that diesel operated train is a shout out that our economy is alive and well in this community. We are very fortunate that the Railway sees fit to run through our community, it provides reasonable passage rates, brings many supplies to the businesses in the community and serves a valuable purpose for many people elsewhere. Those kinds of noises we can all enjoy because they provide the citizens with a means to earn a living and go to church on Sunday to worship and provide donations to our individual faiths to provide services to the community. If a little noise from a train horn ruins a wedding ceremony does it also ruin the bond between that man and woman, I think not. The interruptions you use from your perspective don't hold water to the many good things that come from having this train pass through our community. When the city coffers run dry so might the church coffers Reverend. Would you also have had Gabriel's horn confiscated, just looking at it from a worshipers point of view? Just wondering, how deep your sentinments run? "
Watchdog wrote on May 9, 2008 3:52 PM:
" Community those bent pieces of shiny metal passing behind your homes are for train travel. They were laid long before your houses were ever built there, people of this community have lived and died next to those tracks for sixty years and now you want them silenced. Who the devil do you think you are? The trains didn't sneak into this community you people did, live with it or move. No one told you to move by the tracks didn't the Real Estate Company release that noise issue to you. Bring suit against them not the city of Hanford or Burlington Northern "
Watchdog wrote on May 9, 2008 4:00 PM:
" Come on folks don't you remember Johnny Cash and Folsom Prison Blues he could hear that train a coming, so why shouldn't you? It could be worse you could live next to the fire department and everytime they got a call the siren bellows when you are sound asleep but never at the same time so you can adjust or get use to it. But it's o.k. knowing they are close in the event of a fire it's worth a little noise polution.
Your mothers should have turned the stereo's on hi when you were a napping infant, if you are that sensitive to it.
I slept under a flight deck on an aircraft carrier, you haven't heard noise until you hear that arrester cable start retracting and screeching like millions of finger nails on a chalk board. Which is where I slept and the officers forward heard the slamming of the piston on the catapults all night long. You people don't know what noise is. Wait until your sleeping in the middle of a runway launching aircraft and recovering aircraft every five minutes, just try and sleep, But in three days, you'll sleep "
To Watchdog wrote on May 10, 2008 5:27 PM:
" After watching the show "Carrier" on PBS, I know what you are referring to. As a crow flies, I live about .28 miles from the tracks. I cant tell you when they pass through at night. I hope your Indian Ocean days on cruise are over!! "
carl wrote on May 10, 2008 10:56 PM:
" the train traffic is ten times what it was back when alot of the homes were built.a couple of horns a day is not a problem,but the horn has become a serious problem.i do not believe the horn makes the tracks any safer either.the horn does not save lives.the fact that the train horn was blwing in every fatal train accident proves that it does not work.if you walk,run or play on the tracks you are to blame if you get hurt.stay off the tracks,and tell your children to stay off,and there will be no problem.GIVE ME A BREAK! "
Watchdog wrote on May 11, 2008 1:30 AM:
" To Losing My Mind - what quiet zone for train traffic have you lived in? There isn't one in the state of California, there will soon be an experimental one in a city down south but isn't in place yet. Monitor that quite zone and see how long it is until a multi-million dollar law suit is brought against that city for a wrongful death at a train crossing. The Attorneys down there are lining up to get that first case because it will be a landmark decision worth boocoo bucks, count on it. If you get your quite zone and this happens in our little community and the city is bankrupt what do you think that will do to your profit values and your quality of life in this city? You have to think beyond your own ears on this one folks. When I was a kid I can remember laying out in sleeping bags during the summer months longing to hear a train horn blow more often now our grandkids can have that wish come true. Look at the positives instead of the negatives all the time. "
Watchdog wrote on May 11, 2008 1:36 AM:
" To Losing My Mind - you have no idea what people in the south and the north part of this state would give to have a little piece of Heaven like we have here in this wonderful Central Valley community. You can send your kids to school fairly safe in the thought that a riot won't break out or drive by shooting happen routinely. You can let them go out at night and go to school events. There are many communities now that, that isn't the case any longer. The gangs are a problem here but nothing like LA and Long Beach to name two areas. Bakersfield and Oildale were about our size once, now look at them. Someday Hanford and Lemoore are going to grow together and you'll have trouble distinguishing which community you are in and Armona will be swollowed up in the middle of it all. Just like Visalia and Tulare have done, Fresno and Clovis, many communities throughout the state. You are right we are growing but it doesn't have to be uncontrolled with no plan for it or forethought involved in it happening. "
Loosing My Mind wrote on May 11, 2008 6:39 PM:
" Watchdog - reading your response demonstrates that in Hanford clearly more than just the train horns blow-hard.
For your information, 275 quiet zones already have been established across the country, including six in Northern California alone. The cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Elk Grove, Encinitas, Parchester Village, Placentia, Pomona, Richmond, Sacramento, San Jose, and Solana Beach ---- have created, or are in the process of creating, quiet zones, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.
The city of Richmond, has four established quiet zones, San Jose also has a quiet zone in place. The Officials in Richmond and San Jose, and also in the city of Pomona in Southern California, said they have paid relatively little to institute quiet zones.
These cities have deeper pockets than Hanford. Their citizenry is at least as educated and their elected officials at least as knowledgeable. What is it that you know that all of these people just don't get? Looks like we could use a new "watchdog", our "dog" is crying wolf. "
Marie wrote on May 12, 2008 2:18 PM:
" To the people of Hanford. The train horn as been here alot longer then most people of Hanford. That horn is a safety measure. If you don't like it don't live in the area. And 3 million dollars, you can pay for it, not me. One time the arms did not go down on Grangeville before Rogers Rd and I was getting ready to go over the tracks and there was the horn blasting my ears. If I hadn't heard that horn I would of have been dead. And as for it ruining didn't events wedding, ets., that is just of part of life. DEAL WITH IT!! "
Trains wrote on May 12, 2008 4:28 PM:
" I wouldn't want to quiet 11th Ave crossing. If you are heading south, you can't even see if a train is coming. Including all the vehicle traffic. Without the horns this crossing will become a really hazardous. Add a nice blanket of Fog..........
I bet after the 1st accident "losing my mind" and "Change" will be the 1st to complain. "
jeremy wrote on May 12, 2008 5:19 PM:
" What no one is saying is that the trains have increased lately. BNSF put in double tracks so trains can pass right in the middle of the city. Nevermind the miles of farm land both north and south of here. Wake up people its not the 19th century with robber barons. Just a few miles from these tracks is a monument reminding the train company you cant push everyone around. Mussel slough for the slow ones. It is horrible when the horns start at grangeville and dont stop till the train gets to hanford armona. Even better when a second train passes and we get to here it come back up all the way. Horns need to be silenced at night just too loud and too long. "
Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 4:13 AM:
" To Loosing My Mind, I am starting a new list of names and when the first lawsuit is filed against the city and Burlington Northern who will in turn bring suit against Hanford so that you may be notified how much your share will be. That is what I know, I don't care what happens in other communities, the russians built a nuclear reactor and killed off thousands of people does that mean you want to build a nuclear reactor in our backyard? In this case it isn't the accident that may happen it is the accident that is going to happen. You are gonna get some drunk drive across the tracks in front of a train and his/her family is gonna own all of Hanford including the Mussel Slough. Nice comment about the blow hard at least I don't SUCK like you do. For little or no cost 3 million dollars is little or no cost. O.K. Mr. Microsoft, I thought you lived in Washington state. What I care about is this community and I don't want outsiders views bankrupting it. We have gotten along fine being ourselves not Richmond, Ca. "
Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 4:21 AM:
" To Loosing My Mind, you think I am crying wolf you won't be able to find an attorney nor pay him enough money if you get this quiet zone passed. There is gonna be an injury attorney probably out of Richmond, Berkeley someplace like that which will tear this city limb from limb in a court of law. I lived in Southern California all these are really neat swell ideas, but I am telling you the Injury Law Schools are already teaching attorney's how to deal with this so called quiet zone, it says quiet jack butt it doesn't say quiet and safe zone. That word Safety is enough to sink your ship everytime. Because without safety comes negligence and that carries big dollar law suits crumb grabber. You think I don't know what I speak talk to your newly appointed City Manager and ask him about Hanford Cities Safety Program every city or business has a concerted Safety Program or they don't operate or stay in business in todays OSHA governed world. Why do you think it is so costly to create a Quiet Zone, who's gonna provide insurance for this quiet zone? "
Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 4:28 AM:
" To Loosing My Mind, I'll tell you what make a phone call yourself call the major insurance companies and ask to speak to an underwriter and have him quote you a price on insurance against a train wreck in a quiet zone and see what he/she tells you? They'll either tell you millions of dollars a month or they wouldn't touch a quiet zone for no amount of money, that is gonna be your answer. Quiet Zone's are like Flood Insurance not only is it a possiblity it's more probable than not. What happens when a train is derailed by some modification we make to their tracks or warning signals or whatever and the railroad brings suit against the city. Do you think some barely in business contractor who designed it is gonna back it up, to the nearest bankruptcy court and then it is right back in the cities and taxpayers lap. Yeah you play with your money but leave the rest of the taxpayers money alone, o.k. We'd be better off and help our children/ grandchildren out more if we would take that 3 million dollars and fix the water. "
Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 4:37 AM:
" To Loosing My Mind, o.k. now the noise has been fixed and it is no longer a factor. Now the vibration from the trains moving on the rail are disturbing us, what now put in a quiet zone where the railroad has to tippy toe past our houses and community? Eliminate all sirens and bright lights at night on emergency vehicles because they keep us up? Take all the alarms out of schools because they are keeping the day sleepers awake? Take the fire alarms out of public buildings for the same reason. Where does it stop losing your mind? I would like to show you sympathy but first you must prove to me you had a mind to lose. Don't build anymore buildings cause the hammers and automatic nail guns make too much noise not to mention that radio blairing all over the place.
Like I've said spend one month on a carrier in the birthing compartments below the flight deck during continuous flight ops and you'll sleep just fine when you come back to the train whistles.
Your mother should have turned the radio up on hi when you napped. "
chuck wrote on May 13, 2008 12:36 PM:
" I was considering a move to Hanford when I came here in the 80's, but it was not the train that kept me away because I lived by blasting trains in other communities before. What kept me away from Hanford was the water because I could not stand the sulfur smell that circles around the house when the shower is on, so I moved to Lemoore, Where I enjoy hearing the jets and drinking and bathing in the water. "
Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 4:16 PM:
" To Carl - well if the horns don't protect anyone, let's rip out the seat belts, take out the air bags remove the horns from your car/truck because none of them damn safety devices make sense. They can't be saving lives people roll over in cars/trucks and still die because they had their seat belts on. Do you know how ridiculous your argument sounds? You sound like Ralph Nader talking about corvairs in the 60's. He survived and they didn't but I'd love to have one of those safe little economical cars to drive today like I did in 1967.
Don't destroy something because it annoys you or you will be killing every animal on this planet. Dogs and Cats need to be fed, whales need deep water to swim in so come on pick on real issues not stupid, idiotic ones that cost 3 million dollars of taxpayers money to inact. Anytime a study group gives you a ni and low price you bet your lucky stars the high amount is what your getting stuck with in the end. Don't think so, hide and watch if this is adopted by the CC. "
Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 4:18 PM:
" HAS ANY OF THE BRIGHT MINDS INVOLVED IN THIS NOISE PROBLEM THOUGHT OF PUTTING EAR PLUGS IN AT NIGHT TO SLEEP BETTER? IF THAT IS THE ONLY TIME IT BOTHERS YOU SEEMS LIKE A MORE COST EFFECTIVE MEASURE TO ME. "
stupid wrote on May 14, 2008 5:51 PM:
" whos gonna foot the bill when theres a fatality? trains have been sounding since before the days of the automobile anyone who gripes about the train horns may have considered that before building there homes near railroad tracks. next people will be saying sirens are to loud get real with the money it may cost theres alot better uses for it. i ve been here all my life and it amazes me how many stupid people are here is it in the water? "
whats the problem wrote on May 14, 2008 6:07 PM:
" me personally and this goes to mr burchard, i can care less what church or who it offends if it involves safety. im sure the people out at the other catholic church on h/a dont have any gripes. "
Loosing My Mind wrote on May 14, 2008 7:39 PM:
" Again, this debate is not about safe versus not safe. It is about how many layers of safety are really needed. We already have gates, lights, and bells at all train crossings in Hanford. What layer of safety does a train horn add that can easily be heard at two miles away? How about having horns that are loud enough to be ten miles away? Wouldn't that be safer? The quiet zone concept is an attempt to address a local issue that has gone out of control. The frequency of trains and the volume of the train horns have increased dramatically over the years. Any idea why the horns are as loud as they are? I'll tell you: some BS lawsuit that now requires horns to be at a certain decibel level. Some future lawsuit will make the decibel level rise further or require more horn blasts, or the like.
My point is that some balance must be found. Constantly indulging the lowest common denominators of our society is increasingly making our country (not just our community) a crappy place to live. The horns are just a symptom - one that can be solved. "
Hanford GAL wrote on May 14, 2008 10:07 PM:
" The horns are a necessary safetly measure. "
Train horns...what train horns wrote on May 14, 2008 10:55 PM:
" I was born and raised in Hanford, lived within earshot of the train horns, and it never did and it still doesnt bother me. Its amazing how something like a train horn can be made into something so horrible. What a waste of money to change this, when the money could go to so many other things. When I was little and the horns would start blowing, my dad would say "I wonder where those train cars are going...or I wonder where those people are traveling to? We would talk about all the different people who might be on the trains. Its all how you look at things. Take life a little easier. "
Watchdog wrote on May 15, 2008 2:06 PM:
" I am all for an original written document being printed in the Hanford Sentinel. But have you noticed now we are at 500k for the City Attorney. I beg to differ with you too, when a lawyer quotes you a retainer that cost includes his office staff and other lawyers within the practice if need be. That is why lawyers form partnerships, to advise one another and gain strength to prove to their clients that they are the firm to handle your case. I haven't heard where he said the office staff wasn't included in his original quote and it is his responsibility to compute that cost in his bid. Now you want to tell me his office staff costs as much as he does as an attorney, that would be a first.
I say bring Noland out of retirement and give him 300k to do the job and be done with it. Look at his billing compared to Dowds the only real case Dowd has saved the city money on is the one against its own City Council who violated the Brown Act. Remember that come election time. "
Watchdog wrote on May 16, 2008 6:22 PM:
" To Losing My Mind - Wrong again Darth Vader. You really need to come over from the Dark Side on this issue. Safety is exactly what these horns are all about. So if safety isn't the issue how about we have those time wasting fuel guzzling buses, tankers, passenger transports quit stopping before the tracks in front of us. Why not let thousands of gallons of gasoline explode when a train doesn't blow it's whistle and the tanker doesn't stop before crossing? The primary pupose of those Train Whistles are to warn of an approaching multi million ton train coming your way at a pretty good clip. That's what so ridiculouos about all you ranting citizens who are too cheap to buy a pair of ear plugs. You spend 300k for a home but don't want to buy hearing protection. You probably drive a 45k automobile that you are willing to risk driving over the tracks at night without a Whistle to warn you a train is coming. That Horn is the last resort and primary tool to use if some idiot decides to park on the tracks. "
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