Central Jersey Newswire: Videos

BOMBSHELL: Spadea cashed in on money from offshore wind lobby

Central Jersey Newswire — Wed, 21 May 2025 23:17:40 GMT

Undercover audio received by CJN has revealed that Bill Spadea cashed in on the anger surrounding offshore wind development along the Jersey shore, citing it as “a great business model.”

Speaking to guests in June of 2023 at an event hosted by the Common Sense Club, the Spadea-founded nonprofit in support of his candidacy, Spadea boasted that once he started talking about offshore wind, the lobbyists for the wind companies started advertising exclusively on his former morning drive show on NJ101.5.

”I love it,” said Spadea to the crowd, adding that he has “the audience to undo it, but at the same time it’s bringing in a ton of money to the station.”

Offshore wind became a hot-button issue in the 2023 and 2024 elections as grassroots organizations rose up to protest wind farm development, citing concerns with pressure on the electrical grid, impacts to commercial fishing and tourism, and threats to wildlife. The anger that followed became a major campaign issue for Republicans across the state, but for Spadea he saw the anger as a business opportunity.

”I love when people get angry enough to give us money. That’s fantastic - I love it. it’s a great business model,” said Spadea.

Editor’s Note: a previous version of this article stated that Spadea spoke in May of 2023. It was, in fact, June of 2023.

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WATCH: Assemblyman's home robbed, car stolen, while family inside

Mike De Robbio — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 20:43:46 GMT

Hazlet, Monmouth County - Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-Ocean) took to Facebook today to recount his horror as his home was robbed with his family asleep inside.

”My home was broken into last night while my wife and mother in-law slept in their beds. They literally were feet away from possibly being murdered,” wrote Kanitra.

Kanitra, Founder and President of LobbyIt.com, a DC-based lobbying firm that makes lobbying accessible to main street clientele, was in DC for his weekly on-site visit. The thugs struck the home shortly before six in the morning. Kanitra’s vehicle, which has NJ Assembly plates, was stolen after the burglars found the keys.

Kanitra detailed their strategy:

“Because New Jersey has such a high prevalence of these instances I keep the keys to my car in a special Faraday box that keeps criminals from being able to electronically copy the signal. I keep it nowhere near the front door. These brazen thugs searched the entire house until they found the keys anyway…After getting the keys, the group then stole my vehicle with State Assembly plates on it and sped off to Newark where they ripped the GPS out of the vehicle to try and keep it from being tracked further.”

”Despite this, our brave State Police just located my vehicle in New York, most likely being prepared to be quickly shipped overseas,” added the assemblyman. In August on this year, CBS reported that the Port of New York-Newark led the country in seized vehicles, totaling 368.

Kanitra took a moment to thank law enforcement while taking a swipe at Trenton Democrats, the media, and Governor Murphy:

I cannot say enough about how incredible and talented our law enforcement is. Every day they're in a fight with one arm tied behind their backs by our crazy policies, yet still they succeed. They have been vilified and are under constant attack from the media. Less and less people want to become police officers as a result of this caustic environment. We owe each and every one of them who steps up and puts their lives on the line a major debt of gratitude.
This all said, it's the lawlessness of Phill Murphy’s New Jersey and the safe haven that Democrats in the State Legislature have created that is the real crime here.

Earlier this year, CJN reported on a car robbery in Rumson where the perpetrators, one from Missouri and another - the driver - from Newark struck a police car and drove towards the cop, prompting the cop to shoot the driver. Commenters decried the state’s bail reform laws and lax approach to prosecuting criminals, a sentiment shared by Assemblyman Kanitra who gave voters a call to action.

”And now, I'm going to make this political. Because this is political,” he wrote.

“New Jersey, please wake up and vote every single one of these weak, woke assholes who votes for weakening penalties for crimes out of office.”

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WATCH: Arnone, Hanlon win at Garden State Film Festival with MonmouthNJ 250 PSA

Central Jersey Newswire — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:15:49 GMT

Asbury Park - Two of Monmouth County’s leaders the took home “Best Home Grown PSA” at the Garden State Film festival. County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone and County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon won the award for their PSA highlighting “America 250 Monmouth NJ” which will celebrate Monmouth County's significance to the American Revolution and America's 250th anniversary in 2026.

Set against the historied Battle of Monmouth, Arnone and Hanlon welcome residents to celebrate America’s quincentennial anniversary by looking back at the people, places and events that shaped Monmouth County as a key battleground in New Jersey, historically hailed as “crossroads of the American Revolution.”

Both Hanlon and Arnone served as Executive Producers for the film shot by Adam Worth.

You can revisit CJN’s coverage of Monmouth250 here, and can follow the latest updates on Monmouth’s events as part of the county-wide celebration at monmouthnj250.org.

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WATCH: Election integrity? There's an app and a video for that!

Central Jersey Newswire — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:30:19 GMT

Freehold - As 2024 begins in earnest, it’s well worth a visit to the Monmouth County Clerk’s YouTube page. One of the most recent videos has County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon emphasizing election security and the many processes the Central Jersey county takes in order to ensure election integrity.

”Maintaining security is at the core of everything we do,” says Clerk Hanlon. Accompanied by Monmouth County Registrar Christopher Siciliano and County Board of Elections Commissioner Glen Mendez, the 5-minute video covers the security crucibles that each voting method undertakes, including a series of logic and accuracy tests administered before each election.

The library of informative videos compliments their own mobile elections app designed by the Monmouth County Clerk’s office. The mobile app give voters easy access to all information regarding elections and voting. Users can confirm their voter registration status and allows others to download voter registration and vote by mail forms from the convenience of their phone.

Since taking office as Clerk in 2015, Hanlon has made significant efforts to modernize important record processes and make both county records and practices more accessible. The office also produces high-quality videos on an array of topics including voter registration and election education, and a tour of the County Archives.

The Clerk‘s office has also produced two historical preservation documentaries: 2023’s The Jersey Storm: Sandy in Monmouth County, and 2022’s Monmouth County, 9/11, and Its Aftermath, which received a New York Emmy Award nomination.

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Eulner to Assembly: "You haven't seen the last of me."

Central Jersey Newswire — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 21:56:16 GMT

Trenton - The Assembly session today was highlighted by farewell speeches from outgoing members reflecting on their time in Trenton and wishing their colleagues well. Despite the general glad-handing one would expect in the lame duck session, Assemblywoman Kim Eulner (R-11th) elected to make her farewell speech a final haymaker to the Democratic majority.

A brief speech by Minority Leader John DiMaio (R-23rd) praised Eulner for bringing her Wall Street background to the Assembly while also highlighting her being “a mom, a wife, [and] running a household.”

”Hopefully, you’ve found this journey a good one,” he remarked.

For Assemblywoman Eulner, that journey may not be over.

“I yearn for this state to be as great as it can be, and I do hope, in the minority, that we continue to fight back,” began the Assemblywoman before launching into a forceful rebuke of Democrats’ fear campaign waged against her and her colleague, Marilyn Piperno (R-11th).

“I don't know whether to be flattered or appalled that over $8 million was spent to unseat two freshman legislators,” she lamented, saying that money could have been used to feed or house veterans.

“The sin of it is that the lobby money was taken away from us. They were told not to donate to us because we were in the crosshairs from Day One.”

Eulner then reflected on being painted as an “extremist” by 11th District Senator Vin Gopal and incoming Assemblywomen Dr. Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul.

”I am a proud mother of two sons…I believe in women’s rights to their own health. I believe women have a right to choose what happens to their bodies,” said Eulner, saying that her nephews “were practically in tears” after seeing an attack ad from the Gopal team.

She then delivered the same lesson she gave to her nephews:

“Know who you’re voting for. Know who is representing YOU…and not their own interests. It’s so important that our citizens get back into paying attention on who they’re voting for. Shame on the New Jersey citizens for not showing up this past Election Day…I will never forget this.”

She ended her fiery speech with an ominous warning: “You haven’t seen the last of me.”

Her speech was responded to by none other than Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D-6th) who added insult to injury, saying: ”You don’t need to be in this house to serve others…you don’t need to be one of the one hundred and twenty to serve in the state legislature.”

Hoping Piperno and Eulner “stay involved in [the] community…in issues statewide,” Greenwald offered them the opportunity reach out and call him “if there is something that [they] feel passionate about.”

Greenwald’s comments were seen as more chauvinist as opposed to attempting a peace offering.

”He has a woman problem,” said one Assembly staffer who offered their comment under the condition of anonymity. “He was one of the chief architects of the campaign to defame these women and now he hopes they ‘stay involved,” but not in ‘his Assembly?’ That seems like another way of saying women stay in the kitchen.”

Greenwald is known for an annual speech where he emphasizes bipartisanship in lawmaking, the staffer noted, “but it seems like if you’re a pro-choice woman with an ‘R’ next to your name, you are the enemy.”

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WATCH: Rep. Smith Defends Israel's Right to Exist

Central Jersey Newswire — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 22:31:53 GMT

Washington, D.C.- Republican Congressman Chris Smith (R-Manchester) took to the House floor in support of House Resolution 888—“Reaffirming the State of Israel’s right to exist.”

“Make no mistake Mr. Speaker: antisemitic bigotry is the root of the [United Nation’s] hostility towards Israel which is ugly, evil, and manifests itself in almost every U.N. entity,” said Rep. Smith.

Smith chaired a hearing earlier this month entitled “United Nations Bigotry Towards Israel.” He is a Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus and senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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"It's my wife that wants me to." Board of Ed. Candidate cites spouse as reason for police report

Central Jersey Newswire — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 01:41:43 GMT

Middletown - Back in October, candidate Mark Soporowski filed a police report against the Board Vice President, citing threats of violence from the latter party. CJN has obtained the bodycam footage from Soporowski’s meeting with police.

The report, which took place a day before the October 17th Board of Education meeting attended by Soporowski and his wife, shows a calm and collected Soporowski. Contrary to the media report of feeling threatened, Soporowski claims he’s “fine” while appearing to joke with the female officer. He then quizzes the officer, almost flirtatiously, about where his bar is located.

”Just vote for me,” laments Soporowksi, frustrated by his belief that Middletown residents are unaware of where they live. Soporowksi’s wife was not present at the time of his report with the female officer.

Soporowksi’s campaign, noted for its personal attacks, fabricated accusations, and release of dubiously obtained documents, garnered only 2,723 votes (6.12%) placing him dead last in the race for the Board.

WATCH:

District 11 Team: AG Platkin Must Resign

Central Jersey Newswire — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:30:23 GMT

COLTS NECK, N.J. — Steve Dnistrian, candidate for NJ State Senate, and Assemblywomen Marilyn Piperno and Kim Eulner of New Jersey’s 11th Legislative District, called on Attorney General Matt Platkin to resign immediately in the face of a growing number of school districts across the state abolishing “Policy 5756” — the controversial policy that forbids parental notification and instructs schools to maintain a second set of files on children who want to change their gender identity while in school.

“Phil Murphy, Matt Platkin and Vin Gopal have failed the parents of New Jersey and gone too far with their radical gender ed agenda for children as young as five years old,” Dnistrian said. “Even as an increasing number of school districts reject this misguided policy, and even after 81 percent of parents in New Jersey have said schools should be mandated to notify parents in these situations, Murphy, Platkin and Gopal continue to ignore the will of the people and the will of parents. Murphy needs to withdraw these lawsuits, Platkin needs to resign, and Gopal — the so-called Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and architect of this disturbing sex/gender ed agenda for children– must be defeated in November.”

Source: Steve, Marilyn, & Kim for LD11 (Facebook)

Platkin is suing three Monmouth County school boards to defend Policy 5756, and continues to pursue a suit in Hanover. Following public backlash about the lawsuits, the AG’s office changed its characterization of Policy 5756, recently admitting the policy isn’t mandatory, but rather just “guidance.” Since then, multiple school boards — including those in Hanover, Lafayette, Frankford, Sparta, Lacey, Howell, Colts Neck and Millstone — moved quickly to abolish the policy in its entirety. Howell and Kinnelon voted to repeal the policy most recently. More are likely to do the same.

“IF this ‘now-NOT-mandatory guidance’ is just that, then why is Platkin suing parents who voted in support of parental notification?” Piperno said. “We are calling on Platkin to resign for continuing to sue school boards over this controversial mandate, now deemed “guidance,” for what can only be purely political reasons.”

Last week, the father of three Cherry Hill high school students filed suit against the state over Policy 5756, charging that the state has violated his 14th Amendment rights to raise his children and make decisions about their mental health. The suit notes that the policy does not require school staff to notify parents of their child’s gender identification, and says that schools should keep separate files with different names for trans students and notify parents only when required by law or in some cases involving bullying.

“Gopal believes parents’ concerns about gender ed being forced on young children are nothing more than a ‘manufactured political message,’ and Murphy has said suing school boards was the ‘right thing to do’ and actually called this overall situation a ‘complete culture war,’” Eulner said. “Parents are outraged and concerned deeply about the thought of schools not including them in these critical discussions about THEIR children. And more and more parents are coming to understand that Gopal initiated this entire scheme when he voted in favor of sex ed for children — babies who are just 5, 6 and 7 years old. School boards and parents are rebelling by taking this matter into their own hands. And we believe parents will show up in record numbers on November 7 to let Murphy, Platkin and Gopal know exactly where they stand.”

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Legislative District 11 has been named by national Republicans as one of the state’s most competitive races this November. The district encompasses Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Bradley Beach, Colts Neck, Deal, Eatontown, Fair Haven, Freehold Borough and Township, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Long Branch, Neptune City and Township, Ocean, Red Bank, Shrewsbury Borough and Township and Tinton Falls.

Source: https://medium.com/@stevemarilynkimfornj/nj-attorney-general-platkin-must-resign-6f0f13ae1997

Middletown Board of Ed. Candidates Take Aim at Trenton in New Ad

Central Jersey Newswire — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 10:55:42 GMT

Middletown - Most do not think a Board of Education race is deserving of an ad. Then again, most people are not as committed to their cause as Middletown’s Putting Children First Team comprised of current Board President Frank Capone, Vice President Jacqueline Tobacco, and community advocate Caterina Skalaski.

Harkening back to the pandemic era that saw lockdowns, learning loss, and mental health issues rise among New Jersey youth, the video tells the story of Capone and Tobacco’s grassroots efforts, 2020 landslide victory, and policy victories. Efforts to reopen ahead of the state, invest in school security, and make strategic investments in behavioral health and learning specialists are highlighted, as well as the inflection point for Skalaski, a mom of three, to enter the race.

WATCH:

WATCH: Board President Capone on America's Newsroom

Central Jersey Newswire — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 12:04:52 GMT

Middletown’s Board of Education President Frank Capone joined Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino to discuss how Middletown and other boards of education are working to protect children and parents despite the onslaught of legal and political challenges from Governor (and Middletown resident) Phil Murphy.

EXCLUSIVE: Central Jersey Leaders Show Support for Middletown BOE at Court

Central Jersey Newswire — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:05:07 GMT

FREEHOLD - The scene outside the Monmouth County Courthouse could be considered the opening act for November’s elections. Parent’s rights protestors show up in Freehold to voice their support for the Middletown Board of Education. The Monmouth Board had their injunction hearing against the State of New Jersey which alleges that their transgender policy is discriminatory, effectively “outing” students.

“It was a good day, I believe,” said Board President Frank Capone. “I really question the fact that the state did actually read our policy….this is the furthest [from] an ‘outing’ policy.”

Echoing the sentiments was the Board’s Vice-President Jacqueline Tobacco who posed a powerful question to Governor Murphy and Attorney General Platkin:

“are you going to indemnify school districts if, in the case of a tragic outcome, we have not notified parents that children were struggling with gender dysphoria, or transgender issues, with bullying in school because of their gender identity….I don’t believe any parent in Middletown would accept that we kept secrets from them regarding their child’s health and well-being.”

Rallying outside the courthouse were over 100 parents that heard from elected officials and activists.

Steve Dnistrian, the opponent of senator Vin Gopal in District 11 - the legislative architect of the controversial sex-ed policies - opened the rally decrying government ripping the bond between child and parents. Fellow LD-11 running mate, Assemblywoman Kim Eulner, called on her fellow leaders to return to kitchen tables issues, harkening back to former republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli who was also in attendance.

LD-13 Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger of Middletown asked the crowd to think back a decade ago: “could you ever have envisioned being here fighting for your right to know something about your minor child?”

Jack Ciattarelli shot back at his 2021 opponent, Governor Phil Murphy, saying “show me one person that is a-ok with a school district keeping a secret from the parents.”

“There’s only one person who believe this,” he added. “Phil Murphy.” He then added AG Platkin to the list of secret keepers, “who’s going to lose today in this courthouse.”

Bringing it on home was Nikki Stouffer, the parental rights advocate and founder of the New Jersey Project, one the day’s organizers. Stouffer reflected on her group’s efforts to recruit “Parent First, Child First” Board of Education candidates before taking aim at the NJEA:

"For too long the NJEA has plants [and] have dominated….bringing forward whatever the Democratic party says.”

The otherwise peaceful protest presented only one incident. Stouffer confronted Michael Gottesman of the NJ Public Education Curriculum. Gottesman, a former attorney turned trans-rights activist, came within inches of Stouffer’s face before being broken up by a fellow activist.
Other republican candidates lent their voices and manpower to rally support for Middletown and the parental rights advocates. Darius Mayfield, challenging incumbent Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-13th) spoke to the crowd. U.S Senate candidates Gregg Mele and Shirley Maia-Cusick also made rounds talking to leaders and officials.

Middletown now awaits the results of their hearing which can come any day.

LGBTQ Activist Michael Gottesman closely confronts Parent’s Rights Activist Nikki Stouffer

ICYMI: Middletown's Capone and Tobacco respond to Murphy's lawsuits

Central Jersey Newswire — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 22:26:39 GMT

MIDDLETOWN- Board of Education President Frank Capone and Vice President Jacqueline Tobacco took the national media to discuss their ongoing effort to ensure the protection of parental rights.

Host Steve Doocy interviewed the local leaders on Fox & Friends this morning regarding their recently passed parental notification policy and the immediate lawsuit from Attorney General Matthew Platkin.

"Within twenty-four hours of us passing our policy, the AG filed a lawsuit against Middletown….and said our policy was discriminatory,” said Vice-President Tobacco.

President Frank Capone took aim at Governor Murphy, a Middletown resident, when asked by Doocy what his message was :

“We have a Governor who is consistently putting politics ahead of children…[he’s] a lame duck Governor to begin with and legislators on both sides of the aisle really need to wake up.”

Check out the full interview:

ICYMI - Murphy: "This is a COMPLETE CULTURE WAR"

Central Jersey Newswire — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 10:02:10 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC - Appearing on CBS’ Face The Nation, Gov. Murphy assured host Margaret Brennan that “parents are always involved and always will be” when it comes to their children.

Brennan was pressing Murphy on his lawsuits against the Marlboro, Manalapan-Englishtown, and Middletown school boards that enacted parental advisory policies when it came to transgender children.

“We took these actions because it’s the right thing to do to protect these precious young people,” said the Governor. Murphy, a Middletown resident, declaring that such action is part of “a complete culture war.”

What do you think of Gov. Murphy’s comments?

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CJN previously covered these school board issues and has welcomed opinions from all sides. Check out our exclusive content and analysis on the Colts Neck and Middletown Board of Education meetings, and a CJN-exclusive op-ed from Middletown President Frank Capone.

Join the conversation about Gov. Murphy’s comments on Facebook

WATCH: Mayor Kanitra TORCHES Gov. Murphy, Democrats on electric vehicle mandate in new ad

Central Jersey Newswire — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 22:49:13 GMT

POINT PLEASANT - Mayor Paul Kanitra released a fiery ad in his race from the Mayor’s office to the District 10 Assembly seat.

Kanitra dropped the ad in response to Gov. Murphy’s Advanced Clean Cars II proposal requiring vehicle manufacturers to make zero emission vehicles (“ZEVs”) an increasing percentage of their new light-duty vehicle sales. The California-style proposal endeavors to achieve 100% ZEVs by 2035.

“In the latest insanity to come out of the Governor’s mansion…. New car sales of gas vehicles are going to be banned soon,” warns the Mayor.

He didn’t stop there:

They think everyone is as rich as they are and can pay substantially more for an electric car. This despite the fact that it currently is more expensive to “fill” a gas car with electric than gas. Despite our grid not being able to handle anywhere near that kind of load, despite the fact that electric cars use 6 times the minerals as regular cars and despite the fact that even if we reach all our climate change goals it will only reduce global temperatures by .00002 degrees by the year 2100?

Watch Kanitra’s new ad and let us know what you think about the Governor’s EV proposal:

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Rep. Smith on Ørsted Bailout: "This is just the beginning..."

Central Jersey Newswire — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 11:47:59 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Chis Smith (NJ-4th), whose district covers Monmouth and Ocean Counties, slammed Gov. Murphy’s tax break for Danish offshore wind company Ørsted. The controversial program that was a key issues in the tense 2024 budget negotiations has been labeled a “bailout” by Republicans in Trenton and Washington.

“Frankly, we have a situation where they hide the ball,” said Rep Smith on The Story with Martha MacCallum.

“In this case, the estimate that was done by the General Assembly…they said they got no analysis whatsoever from the Governor as to how much this would cost.”

WATCH BELOW:

WATCH: Gov. Murphy BOOED by concertgoers in Red Bank

Central Jersey Newswire — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 12:38:15 GMT

RED BANK - Gov. Murphy made what seems to be a surprise appearance at an event with local music group Brian Kirk and the Jirks. Murphy, a riverside resident of Middletown right across from Red Bank was not a welcome interruption.

A frustrated Kirk orders the crowd to not boo. “This is not about politics,” he sternly says.

"He’s a buddy of mine…do not do that, out of respect for my friend.”

The Red Bank crowd did not seem to be on the same page as the bandleader and carried on while Murphy made for a fast exit.

Check out the video below and make sure to like us on Facebook and Instagram where we have all our content posted daily:

WATCH: Shore Mayor SLAMS Budget Committee over offshore wind bailout

Central Jersey Newswire — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:36:22 GMT

TRENTON - During tense budget talks this week, Point Pleasant Mayor Paul Kanitra testified before the Assembly Budget Committee with one company in his crosshairs: Ørsted.

One of the most contentious players of the 2024 Budget drama has been Ørsted, a Danish offshore wind company, wanting renegotiate its contracts. Under an original agreement with New Jersey, Ørsted would have to pass federal tax credits on to ratepayers— then Ørsted changed their mind. The Associated Press summarized the debacle quite well:

A state Senate committee approved a bill Tuesday that would allow Ørsted to keep federal tax credits to help counter what they termed lingering economic effects from the COVID-19 pandemic and elevated inflation. Amendments to the bill require Ørsted to post a $200 million guarantee with the state, and prepare a report on the financial viability, possible environmental impacts and likelihood of finishing the project on time.

Point Pleasant Mayor Paul Kanitra wasn’t having it— and he showed up in Trenton to make that crystal clear.

Watch Mayor Kanitra’s fiery testimony against Ørsted:

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