A community of neighborhoods,
A great place to call home.
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| Springfield Township Newsletter |
November/December 2010
Issue 13
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Dear ,
 We hope you enjoy this edition of the Springfield Township newsletter. Inside you will find information on projects we are currently working on, a parking resolution that was recently completed and a few good news stories we are happy to share with you.
We would like to encourage you to pass along this newsletter to your friends and neighbors who may not be registered to receive this news. Invite them to visit the Township's website to register for enews and to stay engaged with all that is going on in the community.
Wishing you all the happiest of holidays!
Sincerely,
Your Trustees -
Joseph Honerlaw, Gwen McFarlin and Tom Bryan
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Rental Inspection Plan Remains Under Consideration
| The Springfield Township Board of Trustees recently held two public hearings to discuss a proposed rental inspection program in Springfield Township.
Several municipalities and townships all across Ohio have begun interior and exterior inspection of rental properties within their communities. Springfield Township has enforced an exterior property maintenance code since December, 2004 for all residents living in the Township. In last year's Neighborhood Master Plan Meetings, Trustees heard residents' issues and concerns with the increasing use of single family housing as rental property. Residents in these neighborhoods expressed concerns of decreases in their home values due to un-kept properties by both owners and renters. Trustees directed staff to address these concerns. As part of this process, Interior rental inspections were researched as part of the solution. At the September, 2010 Trustees meeting, staff and Township's legal counsell put forth a draft proposal to conduct an annual inspection of all single and duplex family properties used as rental units.
At the subsequent public hearings, Trustees heard support from residents and community leaders who called on the need to address rental properties that had fallen into disrepair and to aid tenants who, due to a variety of circumstances, may be unwilling to confront landlords to address substandard housing issues. Trustees also heard from a variety of individual, primarily rental property owners, who expressed concerns for tenants' privacy rights and the additional costs to property owners and renters for the inspections.
The Trustees took the comments from both public hearings, and are weighing their options. Alternative proposals are currently being considered. The rental inspection program should be adopted by the first of the year.
To view the original rental inspection program, visit http://www.springfieldtwp.org/rentalinspection.cfm |
New Comprehensive Parking Resolution Now in Effect
| Last July staff recommended to the Master Plan Steering Committee a plan to deal with 94 individual parking resolutions spanning 53 years. Many of the resolutions were outdated and included duplications. A new comprehensive resolution was passed by the Trustees unanimously at the October 12th meeting. Two new policies include Section 1.04 that states no parking is permitted on any unpaved portion of the right-of-way. Section 7.01 states (abbreviated version for this article) the police department may order into storage any motor vehicle, including an abandoned junk motor vehicle that has been left on a public street or on or within the right-of-way for seventy-two (72) hours or longer.
The final new parking resolution in now online and can be viewed at http://www.springfieldtwp.org/parking.cfm.
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MSD Sewer Construction Project Ends Successfully In Springfield Township
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The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) has completed the Winton 1 & 2 and Sherwood Pump Station Consolidation Project in Springfield Township. The construction project involved the installation of over 3,500 linear feet of sanitary sewer pipe to eliminate the need for three old and inadequate pump stations. MSD's contractor, Howell Contractors began work April 2009, completed construction in September, and are now in the process of restoration. MSD constructed and installed a new pump station called the Winton Woods Pump Station, with a standby generator, and a new force main and two new sanitary sewers. The old Winton 1 & 2 and Sherwood Pump Stations were demolished and removed. For more details about this project, please contact Ms. Kate Scarpinski, the MSD Customer Service Representative at (513) 771-9424.
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Congratulations to Fire Safety Poster Contest Winners!!!
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The Springfield Township Fire Department hosts an annual fire safety poster contest for elementary school students. The winners receive a pizza party at the fire station - complete with transportation from their school to the station in a fire truck!
Congratulations to this year's winners:
Grades 1 - 3 Winners
First Place : Haley Meece - Grade 1 from Welch Elementary
Second Place: Miah Harvey - Grade 3 from Whitaker
Third Place: Kristine Obach - Grade 3 from North Elementary
Grades 4 - 5 Winners
First Place : Michelle Souder - Grade 5 from John Paul II
Second Place: Hali Clark - Grade 5 from John Paul II
Third Place: Kaylynne Schuermann - Grade 4 from John Paul II
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Over 600 Votes Were Tallied
And The Winner For the Halloween Window Painting Contest Is....
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Congratulations to Sami Zimmer, winner of the Wicked Windows on Winton Halloween Window Painting Contest! Sami painted the colorful window at Bruegger's. As one of the youngest painters, she pulled in 91 of the 610 votes made online and by phone. Sami has won $50 in cash, donated by the local businesses.
Honorable mention goes to Corinne Saul (painted Meals To Go window) with 80 votes and Anisha Silva (painted Graeter's window) with 72 votes. Congratulations!!!! We are looking forward to the paintings next year!!!!
A special thank you to all of the businesses that participated and the talented artists from Finneytown Junior High and High School. To view the photos and to see the businesses that participated, click here.
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| Annual WinterFest Family Event Scheduled with New Activities For All!! |
Bring the family to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of holiday entertainment and activities on Saturday, December 4th!! Springfield Township's annual WinterFest event will be filled with fun activities for the entire family! Best of all, thanks to our sponsors - this event is FREE!! All activities will be held at the Grove Banquet Hall at 9158 Winton Road. Tickets are not needed. The doors will open at 12:30.p.m.
All activities are FREE and open to the public
Premiere Sponsorship by Target
Secondary Sponsorship by Walgreens
1:00 - 1:45p.m.
Madcap Puppet Show - "Look Out Galileo"
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Snacks Visit From Santa
(NEW! - Photo keychains and pictures complements of Winton Road Walgreens)
Make a present and wrap it while you are here! Outdoor wagon rides
Record a fun holiday greeting for The Township's first video greeting card (To air online and on Waycross Channel 23) Play a game of "Ice Fishing"
2:40 - 3:00 p.m.
Cincinnati Movement and Dance Center Show
Volunteers provided by local churches and students in local school districts.
More information on WinterFest can be found at http://www.springfieldtwp.org/Winterfest.cfm
Information on the Playhouse in the Park Series
(Next Show February 4th)
http://www.springfieldtwp.org/Winterfest.cfm
Information on other FREE Community events visit
(Shows January, March & April!)
http://www.springfieldtwp.org/WinterEntertainmentSeries.cfm |
Community Coat Drive
Drop-off location at the Springfield Township Fire Department
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Channel 5, various fire departments, Citydash, Gold Star Chili and St. Vincent de Paul will again collect coats as part of the 5 Cares Coat Drive. The goal is to collect 4,000 coats for distribution to local people in need.
For many families and individuals, there is simply no extra income to purchase a winter coat. The 5 Cares Coat Drive helps ensure that no one in our community goes without a winter coat. This would not be possible without the support of YOU!
Please consider dropping of any new or slightly used coats to the Springfield Township Fire Department anytime before December 6th.
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Master Plan in Final Stages!
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The final meeting for the Neighborhood Master Plan Committee was held November 4th. Meetings have already taken place to gain feedback on future plans for financial stability, communications, marketing, community services, law enforcement, neighborhood stability, and infrastructure. At the Planning and Land Use meeting, members were shown proposed redevelopment maps for the neighborhoods and business areas in Springfield Township. The plans are still being prepared and will be presented in their entirety at the State of the Township community address scheduled for Sunday, March 6th. That address will be open to the public and will be the first time that the entire plan will be presented to interested residents.
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Financial Assistance Program For Homeowners Falling Behind on Mortgage Payments
| Homeowners who have fallen behind on their payments or are experiencing difficulty making their mortgage payments may apply for additional financial assistance. The State of Ohio has been allotted $320 million from the Housing Finance Agency Innovation Fund because Ohio is one of the states hit hardest by the housing crisis. For more information or to apply online, go to www.savethedream.ohio.gov or www.ohiohome.org.
Ohio expects to help 26,000 families retain home ownership through the use of these funds. Even those families who have been unsuccessful in qualifying for existing loan modification and foreclosure prevention programs may now be able to receive help.
Available programs include:
·Rescue Payment Assistance will provide a payment to a participating homeowner's servicer to help bring the homeowner current on his or her delinquent mortgage. The payment could cover principal, interest, fees, delinquent taxes or escrow shortage and homeowners insurance.
·Partial Mortgage Payment Assistance will support unemployed homeowners by providing partial mortgage payments while they search for a job or participate in job training.
·Modification Assistance with Principal Reduction will provide a payment incentive to servicers to reduce a participating homeowner's mortgage principal to the level necessary to achieve a loan modification with a target of a 115 percent loan-to-value ratio or less. This program should increase the number of loan modifications that are approved and available to both Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) eligible and non-HAMP eligible borrowers.
·Transitional Assistance will offer an incentive to servicers to complete short sales and deed-in-lieu agreements to help homeowners exit their homes gracefully. This will allow homeowners who cannot sustain home ownership to pursue alternatives to foreclosure, reducing the negative impact on their credit rating and losses to the servicer.
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Citizens Police Academy
Gives 50 Bicycles To Children in the Community!
How To Donate Your Bike
| Refurbished bicycles were delivered to homes of 50 children last October by officers and volunteers of the Citizens Police Academy. Weeks prior, signs were posted in various neighborhoods with information to call the Springfield Township Police Department if families were in need of a bike.
The bicycle program has now become a long-standing tradition in the Police Department. Throughout the year two members of the Citizens Police Academy collect and refurbish unused or forfeited bicycles to donate them back to the community. Charlie Eberhardt started the program seven years ago when the Township hosted it's annual Recycle Day program. "Barely used bicycles were being dropped off to scrap. It was such a shame to see them go in the dumpsters," explained Eberhardt. From that moment, he took it upon himself to collect the bikes, fix them up and give them to kids that needed a bike. Fellow Citizens Police Academy volunteer Ed Luhn later joined him in his efforts. The team continues to collect and repair the bikes together.
Eberhart accompanied a police officer to deliver bikes. "The kids were ecstatic! They expressed their gratitude and took off riding right away. Everyone was happy. It was a good day."
If you have a bicycle that you would like to donate, contact the Springfield Township Police Department at 729-1300.
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Tickets on Sale for The Daddy Daughter Dinner Dance
- A Great Gift!!!
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Dads, give your little girl the time of her life with a night out with you!!! The annual Springfield Township Daddy Daughter Dance will be the best ever this year with an "Under the Sea" theme! The banquet hall will be transformed into a magical sea adventure, filled with lights and beautiful displays! The dance will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Grove Banquet Hall from 7-9 p.m. This event WILL SELL OUT, so please get your tickets early! Your night will include dancing, dinner (pizza), an ice cream sundae bar, a keepsake photo and keychain, and a special little gift for all our our dazzling mermaids! Tickets are now selling for $25 per resident couple, or $28 per non-resident couple and $6 for each additional daughter. (Nominal 4% PayPal fee applies for online credit cards fee) Checks or cash may be mailed payable to Springfield Township, Attn: Daddy Daughter Dance, 9150 Winton Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231. If you are mailing in registration, please include your name, address, phone number, email address and names of anyone attending. Also include any seating preferences. For more information, call 522-1410 or visit
http://www.springfieldtwp.org/daddydaughterdance.cfm
*This event is designed for children between the ages of 3-13. Dads, grandfathers, uncles or caregivers welcome. The gift this year will be a live gold fish. If you do not wish to take home the gift, it will be donated to a good home.
Event sponsors include Vincent Lighting and Walgreens. Volunteers provided by Finneytown High School Key Club.
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Cincinnati Civic Orchestra
Free Holiday Concert at the Grove
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Enjoy the sounds of the season with a free concert by the Cincinnati Civic Orchestra on Sunday, December 12 at the Grove Banquet Hall. The concert, entitled "The French Christmas Suite," will feature the orchestral performances of the songs German Carol Festival, Silent Night, Carol of the Bells, Jesu Bambino, Prelude on In Dulci Jubilo, Festive Sounds of Hanukah, Sleigh Ride and Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson. The concert will begin at 3:00 p.m. and will last approximately 2 hours.
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Join Us!
Springfield Township is on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube!
(Click on any link to join that group)
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Springfield Township Service Department Competes and Takes Three Out of Five Top Ranks!
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Each year the Springfield Township Service Department competes in a training event designed to prepare our drivers for winter snow and ice removal. The 22nd Annual Snow Plow "Roadeo" is a timed event that scores participants on their ability to navigate an obstacle course. They also perform a pre-trip vehicle inspection that is designed to make sure they are checking their vehicles critical components and safety items prior to driving the vehicle. This year, three Springfield Township drivers placed in the top five out of all the 57 competitors for Hamilton County. In the past eleven years, Springfield Township has won at least one of the top two spots in this competition!
Congratulations!
Troy Smith placed 2nd
Chuck Saylor placed 4th
Scott Hadsell place 5th
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Scratch & Win on Winton
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Business members in the FBN (Finneytown Business Network) will soon be giving you an added reason to shop locally! Retailers will once again host their "Scratch and Win on Winton" campaign to cross promote one anothers businesses beginning November 13th. The program is simple; purchase any item with a participating retailer and get a scratch-off card. Scratch all three spaces - the two that match are what you win! The promotion will last until all 15,000 cards are handed out. Grand prizes include a Scotts lawn care system from Burke Hardware, a six-month family or adult pass to the Powel Crosley, Jr. YMCA, a FREE five-hour event rental at the Centennial Barn and a 3-Way party pack from Finneytown Skyline Chili! Participating Retailers Include:
Advance Auto Parts Burke Hardware Centennial Barn Cincinnati Dance and Movement Center Donatos Finneytown Skyline Hear Better Audiology Lee Brooks State Farm Liberty Tax McDonald's Meals To Go Powell Crosley, Jr. YMCA For more information on the FBN, contact Jonathan Papin at WesBanco - 522-5551 ext 7725.
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Flu Shots at the Senior Center
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Flu shots will be available at the Springfield Township Senior & Community Center on Friday, November 12, from 10 a.m. to noon The Senior/Community Center is located at 9158 Winton Road, behind the Springfield Township Administration Complex.
Blackstone Home Care will be offering flu shots and will bill Medicare for those who provide proper documentation of proof of coverage. Blackstone will provide those without Medicare receipts for those wishing to seek reimbursement for the $25 cost of the flu shot.
Registration is required by Friday, November 5th. Registration is available by calling the Springfield Township Senior/Community Center at 522-1154, or online.
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Upcoming Events In and Around Our Community!
See the Community Calendar and Newsboard for each of theses events with details and contact information
(Located by event date)
November 6-7
McAuley HS Presents Alice in Wonderland
November 6
Northminster's Movie Night "Luther"
November 7-8
Mt. Healthy Alliance Fundraiser at Bob Evans November 9Springfield Township Trustee MeetingNovember 10Dr. O'Dell Owens speaks for White Oak Middle School November 11Veteran's Diploma Ceremony at Princeton HS November 11-13Zombie Prom - play at St. Xavier HS November 12-13 Death By Chocolate - play at Mt. Healthy HS November 13Make a Difference Rally People Working Cooperatively Prepare Affair Wilderness Skills: Orienting National Gaming Day at your local Library November 14
St. Xavier Open House St. Bartholomew Pancake Breakfast
November 16
WWIS String Concert
Seniors Inc. 25th Anniversary Celebration
November 17
Free Kidney Health Screening at Powel Crosley, Jr. YMCA November 18Blood Drive at YMCA November 20Ursuline Academy's Ultimate Auction
November 21Central Montessori Academy Open House November 22Thanksgiving food distribution - volunteers needed November 26Single Mingle at Family Life Center December 1WWHS Band Winter Concert December 3Candlelight vigil at Finneytown HS in memory of victims of WHO tragedy - With concert (Proceeds to P.E.M Scholarship Fund) December 4Springfield Township presents WinterFestDecember 5Breakfast With Santa at St. Vivian School (Open to the community) December 7St Xavier Christmas Concert Brookdale Place Christmas Open House Event December 9WWHS Choir and Orchestra Concert December 10Sweet Treats from the Greeks Pastry Sale Senior Citizen Holiday Brunch at Finneytown HS December 11
Joseph's Coat & Cookie Exchange Sweet Treats from the Greeks Pastry Sale Secret Santa Shop at St. Bartholomew December 12Cincinnati Civic Orchestra Concert at the Grove Banquet HallDecember 14Trustee MeetingALSO, MARK YOUR
CALENDARS FOR:
January 7: Frisch Marionettes comes to Springfield Township (FREE!)February 4: DIS/TROY by Playhouse in the Park (FREE)February 19: Daddy Daughter Dinner DanceMarch 11: Mad Science (FREE)
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Phone Numbers
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Springfield Township Administration Offices
522-1410
Springfield Township Police
729-1300
Fire Station 79
(Winton Road)
521-7578
Fire Station 75
(Burlington Road ) 851-3030
Service Department (Roads)
522-1410
Senior/Community Center 522-1154
The Grove Banquet Hall (Rentals)
522-1154
Property Maintenance Complaint
522-1410
nuisancecomplaints
@springfieldtwp.org
Hamilton County Roads: 946-8900
Hamilton County Board of Elections
632-7000
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Seniors Inc. Celebrates 25 years! You are Invited To Share In the Celebrations!
| Are you a senior adult, wishing to connect with other seniors? Come to Seniors Inc.'s 25th anniversary celebration at the Springfield Township Senior Center (9158 Winton Road) on November 16th. Events will begin at 10:30 a.m. There will be guest speakers, a video presentation, a raffle, door prizes, vendor booths and lunch. Learn more about Senior Inc and all there is to offer at the Springfield Township Senior/Community Center. (Lunch costs $7 per person. Please RSVP to Lois at 821-7317.)
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WeTHRIVE!
Community Wellness in Action
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Community partners, businesses, churches, schools, elected officials - and people like you - are joining WeTHRIVE!, a movement set on making wellness a reality for each community in Hamilton County. WeTHRIVE! focuses on changing policies, systems, and environments to reduce obesity and chronic diseases. This means creating community access to healthy eating and physical activity while decreasing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. In Springfield Township, WeTHRIVE! is already at work. There are many opportunities for residents, schools, churches and organizations to get involved. · COMMUNITY GARDENS: WeTHRIVE! is working with area churches right now to plan vegetable gardens for planting in the spring of 2011. Get your church on board! · FAITH-BASED WELLNESS PLANS: WeTHRIVE! can help your church develop a wellness plan to keep the mind, body and soul healthy and thriving! · SHARED USE: WeTHRIVE! encourages schools and churches to provide safe places for residents to be physically active by opening their gyms and playgrounds to the community. Get your school or church involved! · INFORMATION GATHERING: Kudos to Finneytown High School for participating in the Centers for Disease Control's Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which is part of the WeTHRIVE! initiative to ensure that future health programs and resources meet the needs of communities. · PHYSICIAN GROUPS: WeTHRIVE! partner Cincinnati Children's Hospital is recruiting physicians to join the movement to receive guidance on how to better identify, assess and counsel obese children. Learn more by contacting Stacy Kramer at Stacy.Kramer@cchmc.org. For more information on the WeTHRIVE! movement, go to www.WatchUsThrive.org. To get involved in these exciting projects, contact Tonya Key, WeTHRIVE! Community Outreach Coordinator at 513/946-7951 or Tonya.Key@hamilton-co.org .
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Submitted Announcements
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Are you an artist? Do you know one? The jury team for the
Northminster Fine Art Fair
invites artists to submit applications for the February 5, 2011 Art Fair
Applications are available by going to www.northminsterfamily.net http://www.northminsterfamily.net
or by stopping the church office during the week.
For additional information call the church at 931-0243.The deadline for applications is November 13, 2010.
Greenhills Volunteer Fire Department 72nd Annual Turkey Raffle
Get in on you chance to get a turkey - all while helping out our neighboring Greenhills Volunteer Fire Department. Tickets are now on pre-sale for $2 each or 20 for $20. If you purchase tickets during pre-sale, you have a chance to win a turkey and a chance for the grand prize for $1,000, a second place prize for $500 or a family pool pass at the Greenhills pool. The drawings take place November 20, from 6:00 PM-9:00 PM at the American Legion Hall (11100 Winton Road). Over 200 turkeys to be raffled off! Tickets for the turkeys will be available at the event for 25 cents each (not included in the grand prize drawing). You do not have to be present to win. For details or to order pre-sale tickets call 589-3583 or stop by the American Legion Hall. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
People Working Cooperatively helps low-income elderly/disabled homeowners in our neighborhood to safely maintain their homes. Every fall PWC holds Prepare Affair, a day in which thousands of volunteers help their neighbors clean gutters, rake leaves, and prepare homes for winter. This is a great opportunity to volunteer as a whole family! Contact Jeanne Stephens at jeanne.stephens@stvivian.org or 728-4332 for more information and to register. Happy 100th BirthdayHappy 100th birthday to resident Louise Tieman!
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Pass it on!
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Many residents are not signed up to receive e-news from the Township. Pass this email along to your neighbors and encourage them to register for news and event updates.
If you are interested in volunteering for special events, let us know! Email your name, address, phone number and areas of interest.
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