Detectives Departing Sheriff's Department

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The past has proven to be more attractive than the present for two employees of the Cannon County Sheriff's Department.

The department's only detectives, James Davis and James Goney, are leaving their positions this month.

Sheriff Darrell Young said recently Davis and Goney have turned in their resignations.

Both will be returning to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department.

Davis and Goney came to Cannon County from the RCSD in September of last year to join Sheriff Young when he took over as leader of the department following his election to the position in August.

Sheriff Young said their decision to leave is one of economics. The difference in money and benefits paid to law officers in Rutherford County compared to Cannon amounts to hundreds of dollars per month.

The pending departure of Davis and Goney comes on the heels of former deputy Steve McMillan leaving to work at the McMinnville Police Department in December for better pay and benefits.

While Sheriff Young said he has not decided as yet how he will go about filling the key positions, he did say he is looking at promoting from within the department.

The sheriff has already elevated one employee, Sgt. Anthony Young, to the position of investigator. He said he has also hired a retired state agent on a temporary basis until he can fill the other positions.

“They are leaving because of money and insurance,” Sheriff Young said. “This makes three people we have lost because we can’t match what departments in counties and cities around us are providing their officers.”

Goney’s last day on the job is Saturday, while Davis will work through Feb. 25.

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February 02, 2011 at 12:19pm
Yet another reason to consider consolidation of the Woodbury PD and the Cannon PD. That would save money and resources!
February 02, 2011 at 2:33pm
OR it just makes for a bigger problem as you are spreading out your resources more thinly...
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February 02, 2011 at 5:18pm
Sheriff said leaving because of money and insurance do not blame them wake up county county pay your employees.Ppobably be blamed on that bad old big government.
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February 02, 2011 at 6:26pm
dmm49, budget hearings are just around the corner. Call your county commissioner and urge him to raise property taxes to pay people more and increase benefits. I for one would be anxious to hear the response.
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February 02, 2011 at 8:10pm
Come on kevin you know better than that, dmm49 knows we have unlimited money in Cannon County and he doesn't need to call his commissioner.

You know the big government mindset:

If we have checks, we have money.

It is impossible to run out of money as long as you keep printing the checks.
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February 02, 2011 at 8:31pm
I would love to raise pay for ALL of Cannon County's employees. This would be a reward for being loyal to the county they protect and work in. And everybody who knows my background knows that I lost the second term of Sheriff because I petitioned the Courts to force the County Commissioners to supply more money to my department so I could give them a more decent salary.
Now as a County Commissioner from the 5th District (Woodbury)it is my job to find the money to supply the different departments to help the employees live a better life. But, the money comes from almost one (1) common place and that is the home and land owners. We don't have much in the way of sales taxes, we don't have hardly any businesses that can offset the homeowners. The people who rent homes don't pay property taxes, so they get to take advantage of all services without paying for them. I am not looking down on those people, I said it just to let everyone see that it is not an easy process of keeping up with the Rutherfords or the Warrens (Counties).
I want to help the Sheriff, but I am also elected to help the people who live here. IF you readers out there find a way to do this please contact the County Commission.Remeber that when we had to build a new High School the cost was added to the License Plates, this was a good way for all people in Cannon to share the burden to pay for the school. It was supposed to go away and it never did. The school is in constant need of money, and they deserve it. What more can we tax to pay for our services.
Bob Stoetzel
5th District Commissioner
February 03, 2011 at 8:00am
Bob – I would just like to offer this: The property tax is based upon the property, not the occupant. Just because a home is rented does not mean that taxes are not paid by the renter – it is paid by the home owner who collects the income for the tax from the renter.

You ask how to help the sheriff, yet you have also been against constables who help the sheriff in other counties --- Why are some of the commissioners against them? – Just because a county commissioner has a personal vendetta against constable ---- and I am not talking about you and me --- that vendetta should not be the reason to eliminate the law enforcement powers of all constables --- some who are far more qualified than the deputies and police officers working the streets in Cannon County and Woodbury.

So, my suggestion is – use the resources that you have, keep the tax base low, minimize government interference and most of all – work together to improve our economy starting with tourism --- Then --- Bring some major retailers and other industry to Cannon County. ---- Sincerely – and always from the heart and with God as my guide – Your Friend – Jim Gibbs
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February 03, 2011 at 8:22am
Jim, while I have no idea what the response of the sheriff or the county executive would be, have you and other constables discussed the possibility of offering your collective services to provide security and oversight at the convenience center in order to allow trustys to work there again?
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February 03, 2011 at 8:48am
Bob,

As you and I have talked about, one of the first things that could be done to help the county would be to have Commissioner meetings monthly versus quarterly.

Trying to run the county while meeting only four times a year is an ineffective way of managing our government. The problems we face deserve more attention and transparency.

The idea of "well, we can meet in a special meeting if we need to" is a terrible thought pattern to dealing with issues that require attention on a monthly basis.

Everyone should know that with these economic times, with the lack of businesses and industry we have, with the ideas being kicked around to build another school and the four and five items that always manage to end up under other business on the Commissioner's agenda (that no one seems to know about until the day of the meeting), that the time has come to meet monthly.

I take the decision not to meet monthly as one that says the Commissioners either don't want the people to know the business of the county or one that says the Commissioners don't believe we have enough problems or issues facing us right now to deal with them.

Lastly, none of this is directed at you personally because again, you and I have talked and I know your opinion on the matter.

I have to ask though, at what point do the people of this county decide that what we are doing just isn’t working? How do you fix our problems when the people who ultimately decide the solution only meet to talk about them every three months?
February 03, 2011 at 9:11am
We have not discussed the convenience center as a group of constable. The situation at the convenience center is far more complex than meets the eye. I have a couple of years experience in corrections (prison guard in layman terms) and have attended a 360 hour P.O.S.T. certified school for correctional officers. I have mixed emotions about the inmates being used there. I DO NOT believe the inmates at the convenience center are a threat to the physical safety of the citizens, I do see venerability to the pilfering of personal data for fraud and scams. I personally shred anything I take there. I burn most documents. However, and most importantly is the security of the jail. Even under close supervision the physical contact with the friends and family at the convenience center is a security risk for the jail and a nightmare to control. Cell phones, drugs, alcohol and anything that can be made into a weapon or alcohol needs to be kept out of the jail. You would be amazed as to where they can hide the stuff on their bodies. It isn’t an easy job to control.
February 03, 2011 at 9:31am
We definitely DO NOT need to raise property taxes. Cut spending elsewhere if needed and we do need law enforcement. However, if the judicial system would ACTUALLY PUNISH the crimminals instead of just slapping them on the hand and telling them they have been a bad boy or girl then maybe they would get the message and quit some of this mess.
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February 03, 2011 at 10:39am
Jim, I thought about that (about the rental property) after I sent this and I am glad you brought it up because now I can correct the misstatement. Thanks. Also, not all the constables are in the same class as deputies, most likely you are the most qualified with experience and education. But even using constables is not going to change the fact that we don't pay our Law Enforcement enough to keep them happy and productive employees. When these men and women of the jail cannot take care of the homelife financially they feel like they have failed their families, and believe me I can tell you this by firsthand experience. We need to pay them a good salary; after all when citizens are running away from danger they are running to it.
Corey, You and I agree 100 percent on meeting every month, everytime that we have taken a vote on the matter the pro votes do not get a majority.
Gypsy123. Tell us where we can cut spending, everything that CC offers is a necessity, paid for with hard earned money, at an almost undecent pay scale. The reason why people work there is their loyalty to the place where they were born. You were right that we need law enorcement, today's economic situation almost quarentees that we will need them. But not ony that but the morality of todays thugs and druggees and even children show that we are on a downhill slope socially, and in my opinion, until we bring our Creator God back into the daily life of this country we will no longer be the strong nation that we were meant to be.
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February 03, 2011 at 2:24pm
Has anyone thought about the fact these 2 detectives knew the salary and benefits before coming here from Rutherford County? Isn't that one of the 1st things a job applicant finds out. There is more to this than meets the eye. Not that I don't agree with Sheriff Young's statement Cannon cannot pay what others do, I just think their leaving is more complex than that.
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February 03, 2011 at 2:40pm
Bob & Jim, you were both right about the rental property comment.

Property taxes are paid by the property owner and not the renter. The problem with just paying for the things we need, the salaries of the officers, the budgets, etc. by taxing property owners is that everyone is not taxed equally, yet they all benefit from the same services. Not everyone is property owners.

The same holds true with wheel tax. Not everyone owns a car, so not everyone is taxed. Yet, if they have children in school they get the benefits of sending their child to a school paid for primarily by the car owners of the county.

Sales tax is the most consistent form of tax across the board. However, it is one that always hurts the poorer population more because they have less money to live on and need the essentials to survive day to day.

The key is getting industry to come to Cannon County. But, sadly that has become non-existent.

Maybe we can discuss it in April when the next scheduled Commissioners meeting takes place. That sounds like a plan.
February 04, 2011 at 1:00am
Corey,I think what bob and jim both meant was the renter pays property tax though rent to the landlord.

Bob I know construction isn't booming now but what ever happened to the discussion on impact fees.
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February 04, 2011 at 8:58am
Without expanding the taxable resources for Cannon County there is little way to increase revenue. Higher land values result in higher taxes but then adjustments bring about a lower tax rate necessary to retain the same revenue base. Jim touched upon one greatly under-utilized option in his comment above regarding tourism. All the Upper Cumberland remains focused upon generating more tax revenue through this venue. Cannon County rarely participates in matters involving the Upper Cumberland tourism effort although they are a legal part of that district. Other opportunities through the UCHRA UC Development District are utilized to great effect and benefit of Cannon Countians. Many of the grants needed to further the projects we see taking place in the county are funded through those associations.
Switching from an industrial stimulated tax base to one that is fueled by tourism is a major transition and one that most either don't understand or can't buy into. Let's face it. Industry isn't knocking down our door to establish themselves here. Meanwhile we keep sinking. Our tax base keeps shrinking. Without new ideas to finance existing services we will soon find they,too, will have to be cut. A totally new approach will have to be considered if Cannon County is to help themselves during this economic crunch that is gripping our country. There is no help from the outside that is going to help us. Through our own creative minds and resources we must find ways of helping ourselves. Drawing in tourism dollars, shopping at home when practical, and helping to keep taxes under control are just a few reasonable things we can do.
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February 04, 2011 at 9:22am
How did this article go from leaving sheriff dept for better pay and benefits to tourism.If want county to grow quit repeating what it has done in past.
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February 04, 2011 at 9:56am
Thanks goober, I knew what they meant.

Blue I don't agree that there is no help from the outside. I know personally that Mark Pody has brought people in to look at Cannon County to start businesses here very recently.

The problem he faces is there is no comprehensive plan to attract businesses to our community. It is up to the County Executive and the Commissioners to create a plan that would attract people here. Mark can bring them here every week, but if we don't have something to show them then it becomes a waste of time.

If you were a business and you were shown Cannon County, what would attract you to locate here?

Where would you build? What tax incentives could you work out to benefit your business and the community? Are there buildings ready for occupation? What land is available? How long would you have to lease the building / land? What is the available workforce? What would the pay scale be?

These are just a few of the many questions that are left totally unanswered if a business were to look at Cannon County.

I have talked with Mark personally and he has stated he will do everything within his power to try and attract businesses to Cannon County and I believe he is sincere. Our goal as citizens should be to demand our government be ready when he does.

Once he gets them here, it is up to us to make them want to stay.
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February 04, 2011 at 10:49am
Corey, there is no need for these questions to be left unanswered. Cannon County has had an Industrial Board for years. If a prospective business comes to our County and leaves without these questions being answered then we have no Industrial Board and a totally new one needs to be established. Are you saying we have no plan at all to entice business to locate here? I find that hard to believe. How is Mark Pody working with the Co. Executive, the County Commission and the Industrial Board to insure we are prepared with the answers to questions these businesses will ask?
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February 04, 2011 at 12:20pm
Goober, every time we discuss an impact fee we fail to get enough votes. I can tell you that the whole county is represented up on that commission. The commissioners represent their districts well. The ones from the farming districts know what the farmer wants and doesn't want. Also on the impact fee the Realtors don't want anything added to hurt the sales and on and on.
The state of tennessee says that it is a law that anyone doing business in remodleing or building has to have a license if the project comes to over $25,000.00. When this was brought up at the commisssion meeting about making rules on what you could do about retricting builders with out a license, it was shot down.Some on the cpommission do not want to ordered around by the State.
Blue, I think the county should be committed to join others in making tourism the star attraction for Cannon County. That will bring people in. The Readyville Mill has already shown us that "if you build it, they will come".
People doin't want change and they don't want to spend any more money. I myself, would pay twice as much as I do in properety taxes just to be able to live in a county such as ours.
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February 04, 2011 at 1:18pm
Thank you Bob. I am reminded of an analogy of where one hammers on a rock for 25 years with no noticeable result and continues to think the same strategy will eventually get them somewhere. It is time for Cannon County to develop a new strategy as it is obvious our old one isn't getting us anywhere.
Our best asset to offer businesses in the past was our dedicated, hardworking labor force. With the current rate of unemployment in Tennessee, what county cannot now offer such an available work-force? What county does not now have empty industrial buildings setting everywhere just waiting for an occupant? McMinnville, Manchester, Murfreesboro has them on ever corner. What county in Tennessee is not offering every available tax incentive to lure businesses to their area? During this economic period what companies are actually looking to expand and what sets Cannon County apart from other counties vying to attract such businesses? We are ill-prepared to compete in today's world where sheer labor is deemed a valuable commodity. That was not true during the 1940's, 1950's, 1960's. Affordable labor attracted much industry to the south and to Tennessee. Even in the 1970's and 1980's it attracted the auto industry to Middle Tenn. and many of our work force members have taken advantage of that but have had to leave the county to do so. Yes, it is true that Volkswagon's new venture in Chattanooga will create spin-off opportunities and we certainly should be there vying for every possible company to look at us. What are we offering, however, that other counties cannot also offer? Perhaps a highly technically trained and skilled work force that can easily transition to producing computer related automotive parts for this industry? No. We haven't prepared ourselves to compete in this arena and with our scorecard with education in our county, this is something such businesses do look at.
It is time we assess what we do have and what we can do and do well and move forward toward those destinations. Industry is rapidly fading away from being a viable destination for us. It would be a God-send were we able to pull new industry in but this cannot be the only front upon which we build toward our future. We're already 20 years late toward transitioning to a new tax base. Whatever that must be.
Impact fees were being discussed 20 years ago. At that time it was farmers who didn't want it because it required the creation of zoning districts. More recently it was the realtors who didn't want it to affect their personal incomes. All one has to do is look around and see how Cannon County has been adversely affected during the past few decades. Losing industry, losing workforce, increasing population, jeopardized scenic beauty, more and more services required, and on and on. If ever a county qualified to collect an impact fee, it is ours. Growth must be controlled and if planned properly can become a good thing. Growth without restriction and regulation will destroy all the good things about Cannon County.
I know our county commission is challenged with many issues. Those serving is such a capacity are to be commended for their interest and effort in making Cannon County a better place in which to live. I wish my best to them as they struggle to find solutions to make it so.
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February 04, 2011 at 4:06pm
Blue, to my knowledge there is no current plan to entice businesses to Cannon County. If you know of one or anyone else knows of one I would love to hear it. I also find it hard to believe, but I think that is true unfortunately.

I can't speak for how Mike Gannon and Mark Pody are working together. I have not been priviledged to any conversations or meetings between the two. I just know Mark has had meetings with a group of people interested in re-locating here. I do not want to speak for him, so I will let anyone who wants to follow up with him to ask him how it went.

And are you saying the Industrial Board is or should be something similar to the city of Woodbury's Planning Commission? I am unfamiliar with anything the Industrial Board is doing, has been doing or is planning on doing for Cannon County. I know one of the boards approves sub-division plats and re-names roads, but other than that I am not sure what that group does. And I am not being sarcastic at all, I really don't know.

Just so you know, I and a few others are working on something to ensure what you are saying about questions should never go un-answered will not happen. I will give further details in the future.

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February 04, 2011 at 5:47pm
There is an Industrial Development Board. Some of its members were at the recent economic conference Pody appeared at the Senior Center. The IDB played a role in helping bring THC/Select into the building formerly occupied by Cumberland Mold. It was been working to bring a nuts and bolts maker from Massachusetts here. The company's choice at last word was narrowed down to here and a town in S.C. With the county's current economic situation it probably is not feasible to build a facility on the hope that someone will eventually move in, especially since needs are not known. The IDB has identified available land in Cannon Co. if someone is interested. As for tourism, I am not aware of anyone promoting itself as a destination other than Readyville Mill. The distillery hopes to at some point.
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February 04, 2011 at 6:09pm
Kevin, exactly my point. Hardly anything is being promoted to attract tourism dollars to our county. We're completely missing this train as it leaves with us standing by wondering what it is that tourist would ever want to come to Cannon County for. Tourist spend their money for food, gas, lodging, and whatever else they find of interest to carry back with them. Retail dollars create sales tax revenue. Revenue sustains government services. Public safety and Law enforcement, schools, fire-protection, convenience center, roads (gasoline tax), and other services our tax dollars usually go to fund.
February 05, 2011 at 8:30am
Blue you have said made many good statements but I hope one will stick out and stay with everyone who reads these postings-"Growth without restriction and regulation will destroy all the good things about Cannon County." The damage is already there and still growing.

Nashville one of the most expansive vibrant cities in the U.S. ,Chattanooga making dynamic changes and growth in last 20 years, and Cookville/Crossvile area explosive growth( plus desirable retirement areas)--and here we sit right in the middle. Growth will come so our only question is what kind and how much?

February 05, 2011 at 12:27pm
cannon12 asked a question that seemingly no one wants to address.

If wages & benefits were not an issue in taking these positions why did they suddenly become the reason for leaving?

Will the next newly added detectives (unless home grown with roots) suddenly find the same disenchantment?

Maybe a problem that no one wants to delve into and find a solution?



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February 05, 2011 at 1:10pm
dailyreader, sheriff's door is open and detectives can be reached by phone. When you are finished delving into it, let us know what you find out.
February 05, 2011 at 4:21pm
Now Mr Halpern, were I to do that what would the real problem solver there in the county do? My goodness that is infringing on his turf. I am in enough trouble with him now.
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February 05, 2011 at 5:46pm
Translation: It's always easier to comment from the peanut gallery.
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February 05, 2011 at 6:28pm
Be a man daily; if you are referring to anyone in particular, fee free to say it. You have no worries because you are well hidden behind your fictitious pen name.

And don't worry; I doubt you would receive any trouble from anyone who reads these articles if you actually solved a problem.

I know I have certainly been waiting for a long time to actually see a solution come out of your self proclaimed intellect. I am sure others have been also.

I am quite certain we will all be thunderstruck and in awe by the genius of it.

So go ahead and delve into the disenchantment of the deputies here. I can’t wait to find out what you discover.

Better translation: That would take effort.
February 06, 2011 at 8:34am
Cory I have to agree with cannon12’s analogy that there “just has to be more to the story” and I also have to agree with dailyreader in so much that cannon12 asked a question that seemingly no one wants to address. I have heard rumors that there was some dissatisfaction beyond pay as the reason for these two guys to leave. Maybe it is just a non issue --- However, replacing the two “P.O.S.T. certified” employees is a problem.

One of the biggest challenges we have in business is government intrusion – Carry those thoughts over to law enforcement and analyze what the P.O.S.T. Commission does to the affordability of law enforcement in rural communities such as Cannon County --- and one has to wonder ---- Can we afford to have P.O.S.T. dictate to us who we want patrolling our streets. Look at P.O.S.T. – which is a regulatory board in the Department of Commerce and Insurance, just like any other regulatory board ---- would you want them in your face as business person telling you what to do ----- Do you really want P.O.S.T. telling you who to hire as a law enforcement officer? I remember when the qualifications for who to hire was a local decision and it worked for hundreds of years without state or federal interference. As before --- always from the heart and with God as my guide – Your Friend – Jim Gibbs
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February 07, 2011 at 4:35pm
I'ts funny that these two surely took a pay cut to come to this county and knew it when they came, to then discover that the pay was in fact much lower. If these guys couldn't fiqure that out before they came here, then they sure as hell wouldn't be solving any crimes in this county. Saying that, what did they solve? Just curious what this counties money went for the time they were here. Had a missing kid end up dead in a creek that is still unsolved to this day.
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February 07, 2011 at 5:41pm
What job or profession doesn't have some degree of disatisfaction? And what job or profession doesn't have turn over and mobility? Why should law enforcement jobs be any different than our teachers jobs here in Cannon County? We lose many good teachers to Rutherford Co. because of the pay. All any department or business can hope for is to find people willing to be satisfied with what pay and benefits can be offered them. Those who chose to leave usually do so in an attempt to better their own lot in life. Doesn't necessarily mean the entity they worked for is bad no more than it means they are crazy for leaving such a job. In today's world, who hasn't left a job for a better opportunity? Statistics show that job changes now occur once in every 3 years or less. With such a trend, isn't this something that should be expected?
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February 07, 2011 at 6:03pm
It is inaccurate to suggest that the death of Brian Kite has not been solved. The investigation is not complete. State has not produced test results. Life is not a TV crime show. Deaths can take months, years, even decades to resolve. Some never are.

As for the qualifications of the departing detectives, they are obviously good enough for Rutherford County. I am not aware that their standards are inferior to ours.
February 07, 2011 at 9:43pm
Raise taxes during this economy to retain personal? After the state gets through cutting we will be lucky if we can keep the jail open! I understand the need for taxation but this is not the time for property taxes to increase!
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February 07, 2011 at 10:37pm
Word on the street is the death has been ruled accidendal. CASE IS CLOSED. Respect to the family, understood, but the over overwhelming amount of posts and concerns, why has this never been disclosed? Good police work or they just didn't know. Why not publisiize a story of this magnitude and never give the answers as they unfold. Sounds Like the detectives never intended to stay here in this county for long, and never intended to give a damn. Maybe the pay was'nt good enough.Cannon County Family's are the there own, and will take care of their own.
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February 08, 2011 at 4:14am
Word on the street? Is that what you base your information on? Well, anyway, the case is not closed, because the investigation is not complete. There may be some working theories, but until all investigative work is done it would be premature to announce any conclusions.
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