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Changes at South Metro Fire Rescue May Delay – CPN’s New Fire Station

By CPC | April 1, 2008

by Terri Wiebold News of a potential merger between South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) and Parker Fire District (PFD) may cause additional delays for plans to build a new fire station in the Castle Pines North (CPN) community. The possibility of a merger between the two Districts opens new options for CPN. “One possible scenario…

Heritage Professional Pet Grooming Salon Treatment for Pets

By CPC | April 1, 2008

Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Heritage Professional Pet Grooming is a full service pet salon, where pet grooming is considered an art and the stylists do the work for you. Whether bathing, brushing, clipping, styling, or simply pampering a pet, the staff at heritage Pet Grooming believes that humane and loving treatment is the…

Metro District Proposes New Rate Schedule

By CPC | April 1, 2008

by Terri Wiebold Collectively, more than seventy residents gathered at the February and March Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District board meetings to discuss a proposed multiple year fee schedule the Metro District is proposing. “Up to this point, the District has never really had a formalized fee schedule,” said Metro District Manager James McGrady.…

SMFR Candidates Provide Responses to CPN Fire Station Question

By CPC | April 1, 2008

The Connection presented all candidates running for the South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) Board of Directors with the following question. Candidates were allowed to provide an answer in 100 words or less. The responses received are provided below. QUESTION: Now that Castle Pines North is a new city, we are very concerned about SMFR in…

Child Care Center Slated for Walgreens Shopping Area

By CPC | April 1, 2008

by Lisa Crockett An independently-owned day care center has signed a purchase agreement for a pad currently under development on the north side of Castle Pines Parkway at Lagae Road. Max Heitzmann, vice president at Anxon, Inc., which is developing the property, said that three of the four pads planned for the site are now…

CPN’s Park Restrooms Completed – Lottery Pays the Bill

By CPC | April 1, 2008

Crews work to install new “vault” restroom facilities at The Retreat Park in CPN. (photo by Terri Wiebold) The completed restroom facility at The Retreat Park. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Terri Wiebold The much-anticipated “vault” restroom facilities at The Retreat Park, Coyote Ridge Park, and Daniels Gate Park are installed and available for public…

Metro District Board of Directors Election Set for May 6

By CPC | April 1, 2008

Two Metro District Candidate Forums Scheduled for April The Castle Pines North Master Association will host two “Candidate Forums” for all candidates running for the Metro District Board of Directors. Mark the calendar and make sure to attend one of these two events: Monday, April 14, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 7 p.m. Both events…

Rock Canyon to Hold Community Awareness Night

By CPC | April 1, 2008

by Rock Canyon High School and Anthonette Klinkerman Rock Canyon High School is inviting the community to Community Awareness Night on Tuesday, April 8 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. This informative evening will center on the topic, “How to identify drug and alcohol abuse,” and is aimed at alerting parents…

CPN Resident Co-Hosts Local Radio Show – Mom’s the Word

By CPC | March 1, 2008

CPN Resident Maureen Brown, right, co-hosts “Mom’s the Word” an internet-radio show on parenting. Brown’s friend, Maura Ridder, left, is the creator of the show. (photo by Tracey McFadden) by Lisa Crockett With five children ranging in age from four to twelve, Castle Pines North resident Maureen Brown has learned a thing or two about…

How They Voted

By CPC | March 1, 2008

Official Swearing In Ceremony and You’re Invited

By CPC | March 1, 2008

Youth Advisory Commission Still Seeks Members

By CPC | March 1, 2008

by Anthonette Klinkerman Teenagers should have a voice in the goings-on of the new city of Castle Pines North, and Mayor Shul is putting out a second call for a Youth Advisory Commission. As the new city grows, the mayor feels it is important that all residents “have a seat at the table,” and make…

City of Castle Pines North Election Results

By CPC | February 1, 2008

Office of Mayor Maureen Shul 2368 Office of City Clerk Carl Kollmar 2362 Office of Treasurer Douglas Gilbert 1394 Vivian Hallberg 270 Paul Oehm 937 Office of Member of City Council Ward 1 Howard Cohen 203 Chris Dooley 365 Jennifer Havercroft 503 Mark Massa 123 William Porter 148 Office of Member of City Council Ward…

Election Commission Presents Code of Civility to CPN Candidates

By CPC | February 1, 2008

The Castle Pines North Election Commission has developed the following “Code of Civility” pledge for candidates running for the nine positions in the first election for the new City of Castle Pines North. This code was developed specifically for CPN using the Code of Civility Pledge that was created by the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado.…

2030 Master Plan Takes Shape

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lisa Crockett Have you ever wondered how certain businesses, homes or civic amenities came to be in Douglas County? Douglas County is in the midst of a full-scale effort to revise its plans for the future; work sessions and hearings on the matter are open to the public. Meetings for the so-called 2030 Comprehensive…

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Proposes New Alarm Ordinance

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Sheriff Dave Weaver (third frrom the left) and Deputies in the DCSO Community Resources Division meet with community advocates to discuss the new proposed alarm ordinance. (photo by Terri Wiebold) by Terri Wiebold Residents and businesses in Castle Pines North and throughout Douglas County who contract with a private security company may be paying more…

Stop and Shop in Our New City

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Anthonette Klinkerman Now it matters more than ever where Castle Pines North residents shop. Incorporation efforts all began over which community, Castle Pines North or Castle Pines Village, was going to benefit from the sales tax revenue generated by the CPN business district. Seventy-seven percent of CPN’s residents voted to support incorporation in order…

C-DOT Metering Study Underway

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lisa Crockett A traffic meter has been installed at the Castle Pines Parkway/I-25 Interchange. The Colorado Department of Transportation (C-DOT) is conducting the study to determine whether or not a metering light is needed at the location to ease traffic congestion. “We will be gathering data for the next few months, then looking at…

City of Castle Pines North – Job Descriptions of Elected Officials

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Mayor City Council Treasurer City Clerk JOB DESCRIPTION MAYOR CITY OF CASTLE PINES NORTH, COLORADO The following are the duties for the position of Mayor, City of Castle Pines North, Colorado in accordance with statutory requirements. (1) The mayor shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast for that office at the regular…

Residents Voice Concerns About Power Poles to Xcel

By CPC | January 1, 2008

The 180-foot crossover power pole recently installed by Xcel north of Coyote Ridge Park has created a stir among residents. Views from homes miles from the power line corridor have been impacted by this new pole. (photo by Tim Gamble) by Lane Roberts The newly installed 180-foot pole north of Coyote Ridge Park has created…

Cell Phones Aid in Emergency Response

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Terri Wiebold “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) is a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office program designed to aid law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel in locating necessary contact information about an individual in an emergency situation. The program uses an individual’s cell phone address book as a resource for emergency contact information. If a cell…

New I-25 Frontage Road to Connect City of CPN with Lone Tree

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lisa Crockett Construction on the new RidgeGate freeway interchange, on I-25 south of Lincoln Avenue, will soon add a new component to its construction schedule. A frontage road, intended to allow for additional emergency access and also to handle traffic overflow, is scheduled to begin sometime this summer. The project is a joint venture…

Residents Turn Out in Force for First Candidate Forum

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lisa Crockett It was a full house at the Community Center for the first of three community forums for city government candidates held Tuesday night. The forum was hosted by Business in the Pines (BIP), a coalition of businesses in Castle Pines North (CPN) and surrounding areas. The forum was moderated by Paul Arvidson,…

Castle Pines North Metro District Approves Fourth Rate Increase Since 2005

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Terri Wiebold and Lane Roberts For the fourth consecutive year, the Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District Board of Directors voted to increase water rates and capital improvement fees. The Board made the decision at a public meeting held on December 10. The Board also reviewed its proposed 2008 budget during the meeting. More…

Metro District Honors Two Employees

By CPC | January 1, 2008

John Van Epps Karl Johnson by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines North (CPN) Metro District recently honored two of its employees with an “Employee of the Year” award. District Manager Jim McGrady publicly recognized and at the District’s annual holiday party in December. “We strongly believe that the time has come to award performance and…

Walgreens Construction Continues

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lisa Crockett Grading, infrastructure and road construction are underway at the site of a future Walgreens drug store on the north side of Castle Pines Parkway at Lagae Road. The project, which experienced several delays, is expected to continue for much of the coming year. “Some of our progress will be dependent on the…

Candidates for February 12 Election City of Castle Pines North

By CPC | January 1, 2008

The February 12 Mail Ballot Election has 21 candidates running for mayor, clerk, treasurer and six city council positions. On January 14, each candidate was asked to submit a photograph and provide a 200-word answer to the following: What have been your contributions to the CPN community and what qualifications would you bring to this…

Incorporation Vote Prompts New Questions from Residents

By CPC | January 1, 2008

The election to determine the first leaders of the new city of Castle Pines North (CPN) is just around the corner. CPN officially becomes a city at the first meeting of the newly elected city council. Since the November election, manyquestions have evolved. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about Douglas County’s newest…

Voters to Elect First Officials for New City February 12

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lane Roberts The ballots have officially been mailed. On January 25, Douglas County Clerk and Recorder, Jack Arrowsmith mailed ballots to 4,883 active registered voters in the new City of Castle Pines North (CPN). On February 12, residents of the new city of CPN will elect the first nine city officials which will include…

BUSINESS IN THE PINES TO HOST CANDIDATE FORUMS; CITY OF CASTLE PINES NORTH TO ELECT FIRST NINE OFFICIALS

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Castle Pines North, Col., (Jan. 14, 2008) — Business in the Pines will host community forums to introduce candidates running for positions with the new City of Castle Pines North (CPN). Voters will elect the city’s first nine officials in a February 12 mail ballot election coordinated by Douglas County. During the forums, CPN residents…

Is That a Helicopter in the Power Lines?

By CPC | January 1, 2008

On January 15, helicopters began running lines on the newest power poles located in Xcel’s transmission corridor that runs east-west through CPN. The helicopter drew quite an audience during its aerial feat. (photo by Tim Gamble)

Sanctuary Day Spa – Rejuvenate, Refresh, and Revitalize

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Article and photo by Terri Wiebold After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, rejuvenate, refresh and revitalize at Castle Pines North’s very own Sanctuary Day Spa, formerly Agave Massage Spa, nestled in the heart of downtown Castle Pines North. “I am excited to let the community know how passionate I am about the transition…

Finnegan Appointed New Safety Committee Chairperson

By CPC | January 1, 2008

The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association welcomes Carol Langley-Finnegan as its new safety committee chairperson. by Terri Wiebold Langley-Finnegan is the staff liaison for public safety issues for the CPN Master Association and tracks the weekly crime statistics for all CPN residents from the DCSO, in addition to being a member of the CPN…

News From Business in the Pines Members – Easterfest

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Business in the Pines will present the second annual EasterFest on Thursday, March 13 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Last year, snow drove the event indoors, but 300 people still turned out to enjoy the festivities in the Castle Pines North (CPN) Community Center. This year promises to be bigger and better. Held in…

Will there be a Ballot Drop Off Location in CPN?

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lane Roberts There are NO polling places for the February 12 election. Ballots may be returned via U.S. mail or dropped off at either of the following locations: Castle Rock Bank – 506 Castle Pines Parkway, Castle Pines North, CO Beginning Monday, January 28 until Monday, February 11 ballots can be dropped off weekdays…

County Working Toward Healthier Lunch Menu

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Anthonette Klinkerman Nutrition studies at school have spilled from the health and Home Economics classes into the cafeteria. Douglas County School District hired Brent Craig as the new nutrition services director last summer. His goal is to wean the schools from previous food service contracts by June 30, 2008. Instead of the prepackaged selections…

Meet Your Neighbor

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Gary Worth on his visit to the African Orphanage he and his wife, Cathy Fox, have worked for years to build. The compound, called Vukarhani, is in Mozambique and is currently home to 14 children. by Lisa Crockett Meet Gary Worth and Cathy Fox By American standards, the building that has taken years of work…

Enjoy Activities for Spring Break at Home in Colorado

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Elean Gersack Spring break is just weeks away. Plan ahead and enjoy some memorable family activities right here in Colorado. From state parks to museums, there is much to do and see close to home. Outdoor Recreation Castlewood Canyon State Park 2989 South State Highway 83, Franktown 303-688-5242 This beautiful retreat is located just…

Metro District Hires New Finance Director

By CPC | January 1, 2008

The Castle Pines North Metro District recently welcomed Dan Schmick, formerly of Clifton Gunderson LLP, on board to assume many of the financial duties of the District. During the past to years with Clifton Gunderson, Schmick assisted with the compilation of many of the District’s financial statements, which were outsourced to the firm at the…

From the Mailbox. Have questions? Need answers?

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Share questions, ideas, comments or opinions with The Connection. E-mail questions to Contact by email . I know that Castle Pines North (CPN) will levy a sales tax now that it is a city. When does the new sales tax take effect? A sales tax of 2.75 percent was approved by CPN voters in the…

Important Election Information

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Ballots for the Feb. 12 election have been mailed to 4,883 active registered voters in CPN. There are NO polling places for the February 12 election. Ballots must be received (not postmarked) by 7 p.m., February 12. Two ballot drop-off locations will be available including: Wilcox Administration Building 301 N. Wilcox Street Castle Rock, CO…

CPN Master Association – Providing Unique Services to the Community

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lane Roberts The Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association is the community-wide HOA that unifies and represents all the individual neighborhoods within the community, while enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. The Master Association communicates important information to the community via newpaper (The Connection), website (www.cpnhoa.org) and through community e-mail alerts. Residents…

Lack of Library Leaves Uncertain Future for CC-20 Parcel

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lisa Crockett Voters in Castle Rock and Lone Tree have decided the fate of the library in Castle Pines North (CPN) – for now, at least. A razor-thin margin of voters – less than a half a percent – voted down a measure to increase funding to the Douglas County Library District, funding that…

CPN Churches Look to the Future

By CPC | January 1, 2008

God’s Grace Community Church held Christmas Eve services at the CPN Community Center and plans to hold Easter services there as well. The church is working to build a permanent facility on the Lagae Ranch development in CPN. (photo provided by Claudia Larson) by Lisa Crockett One word is all you need to define what…

News from Buffalo Ridge Elementary – Catch the Reading Wave

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) 7075 N. Shoreham Drive Castle Rock, CO 80108 303-387-5575 Grades K-5 Calendar: Traditional www.1dcsdk12.org/elementary/bre by Elean Gersack In late fall, Cheryl Wedge’s second graders participated in a reading program called Catch the Reading Wave. The fluency results, coupled with true reading enjoyment by students, have caused this program to be slated…

HOA#2 Annual Children’s Christmas Party

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Santa visits with a little friend on December 22 during the annual HOA2 Children’s Christmas Party. (photo courtesy of Kristi Pacheco) The HOA2 annual Christmas party included a gingerbread house decorating contest. (photo courtesy of Michael Gersack)

Plum Creek Catering – Event Catering with Fine Dining Detail

By CPC | January 1, 2008

 Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Husband and wife team Jeffrey Rubach and Allison Prescott recently celebrated a year of cooking in Castle Pines North. November 2008 marked the one-year anniversary of Plum Creek Catering’s unique arrangement of leasing space in Castle Cones, located at the Shoppes at Village Square. “This spot is ideal for…

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the City of Castle Pines North

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Look for this Poster & Register to win a Valentines Day Basket of Goodies at any of the participating locations. by Elean Gersack No need to venture far to celebrate the holiday of love. Check out local businesses for gifts, dinner, flowers and more. The Bundt Shoppe Those who have not yet tried a cake…

Colorado Voters Gear Up for Caucuses

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lisa Crockett It is a presidential election year, and Colorado voters who wish to help decide what November’s presidential election ballot will look like should mark their calendars for Tuesday, February 5 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Colorado utilizes a caucus procedure to determine who receives the nomination. Caucuses are party-specific; only voters…

Snow Removal Guidelines for the City of CPN

By CPC | January 1, 2008

Sandy Gamble – HOA#1 Jordan Colling – HOA#1 by Terri Wiebold The past few months have brought many changes to Castle Pines North, including a welcome change in seasons. This winter CPN residents have seen blankets upon blankets of white snow. Many have asked what impact, if any, becoming a city will have on snow…

Ball Field and Park Reservations

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Elean Gersack Planning a team practice or party during the next few months? There are currently three parks in Castle Pines North (CPN) available by reservation: Coyote Ridge Park, Daniel’s Gate Park and The Retreat Park. Soccer fields are available at all three parks and baseball fields are available at Coyote Ridge Park and…

CPN Mourns Loss of Local Humanitarian

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lisa Crockett Castle Pines North (CPN) has lost one of its most dedicated volunteers. Rod Ellerbusch, a founding member of the Kiwanis Club of Castle Pines, was instrumental in bringing the service club to CPN and in bringing its vision to life. Founded in 2004, the Kiwanis Club of Castle Pines sponsors an annual…

Residents Turn Out to Hear Ward 2 Candidates at Second Forum

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lane Roberts The cold and snowy weather did not stop Ward 2 residents from attending the second candidate forum for city government candidates held on Wednesday, January 30, at the Community Center. The forum was presented by Business in the Pines (BIP), a coalition of businesses in Castle Pines North (CPN) and surrounding areas.…

Castle Crocs Swim Season Coming Soon

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Carin Kirkeggard The pools in Castle Pines North (CPN) are still buried under the most recent snow and temperatures are dipping below the freezing mark, but before long, kids will be counting down to the last day of school and the CPN swim team, the Castle Crocs, will begin their third season. The winter…

DCSO Provides House Watch Program

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Terri Wiebold While CPN residents may have heard of local “Neighborhood Watch” programs, many are not aware of a valuable program provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) called the “Watch Dog 1.0 Douglas County House Watch.” The house watch program is a service provided by the DCSO for residents who will be…

Vantive Partners Comes to CPN

By CPC | January 1, 2008

by Lisa Crockett A portion of the old Washington Mutual bank building is now home to a new venture from the H&R Block Company, Vantive Partners. Unlike traditional H&R Block offices, which are typically only open during tax season, Vantive Partners will be a permanent part of the Castle Pines North (CPN) business community. “Vantive…

What the incorporation transition means for you

By CPC | December 1, 2007

Douglas County is working closely with CPN community leadership to help ensure a smooth transition of services and governance for the citizens of CPN. Leadership Members of the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association and the CPN Preservation Committee have agreed to help the community with key issues during this interim period. CPN is working…

County to Ensure Accurate Count of Votes in Feb. Election

By CPC | December 1, 2007

by Lane Roberts The new City of Castle Pines North (CPN) is scheduled to host an election on February 12 to elect six council members, a mayor, a clerk and a treasurer. Secretary of State Mike Coffman has declared voting machines throughout Colorado unreliable. What does this mean for the upcoming election in CPN? According…

A Holiday Word From South Metro Fire Rescue

By CPC | December 1, 2007

  Have a live tree (or trees) at your house? Then be aware that cut Christmas trees become explosively flammable when they dry out. Keep them watered and away from heat sources like furnace vents and fireplaces. Make an early resolution to get them out of the house right after the holidays.

Octoberfest Kicks Off Fall in CPN

By CPC | November 1, 2007

by Elean Gersack On a perfect fall day, families hit the streets in Castle Pines North (CPN) for Octoberfest on Saturday, October 13. Hayrides ushered guests to and from the fun in the Safeway and Village Square shopping areas, located near I-25 and Castle Pines Parkway. Artisan vendors and local business owners transformed parking areas…

2007 Election Brings Changes to CPN, Douglas County

By CPC | November 1, 2007

by Lisa Crockett It wasn’t a long ballot, but the few short items in this year’s election generated intense interest in Castle Pines North and surrounding Douglas County. Incorporation passed by a wide margin, with more than seventy-eight percent of voters casting a “yes” ballot on the incorporation question. The other three measures regarding funding…

Village Homes Announces “The Crossings”

By CPC | November 1, 2007

by Lisa Crockett A new neighborhood called “The Crossings” is slowly taking shape at the corner of Monarch Boulevard and Castle Pines Parkway on the land known as CC-20. The residential portion of the development, which is on the northern half of the property, will soon consist of 20 patio homes and 27 town homes.…

CPN’s Library Shelved Vote for New Library Fails on November Ballot

By CPC | November 1, 2007

by Lisa Crockett Voters in Douglas County opted not to increase funding to the Douglas County Library District. On the November 6 mail ballot, issue 5A, which would have imposed a property tax increase of 1.25 mills, was defeated by a margin of less than one percent. A mere 208 ballots separated the “yes” votes…

Results of the November Election

By CPC | November 1, 2007

by Lisa Crockett It was not a long ballot, but the few short items in this year’s election generated intense interest in Castle Pines North and surrounding Douglas County. Here’s a look at the other results of the November 6 election: School Board Director, District A: Ryan Stuart School Board Director, District C: Clifton Stahl…

Business in the Pines Launches Community Volunteer Database

By CPC | November 1, 2007

Entrée Vous celebrates its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 18. Entrée Vous is located in Village Square Shopping Center in CPN. (photo by Jeremy Gamble) by Elean Gersack Business in the Pines knows how many helpful people there are in Castle Pines North (CPN). As a community leader, Business in the…

School Scoop

By CPC | November 1, 2007

Each issue of The Connection features current events, sports information, school awards, fundraisers and other important items about each of the six neighborhood schools in Castle Pines North. To share school information, please contact by email, or call 303-482-3078. by Elean Gersack Fifth Graders Ski Free Being in the fifth grade has benefits – like…

County Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Guides Available

By CPC | November 1, 2007

by Terri Wiebold The Douglas County Office of Emergency Management is the main hub for the coordination of disaster management and training, homeland security, emergency preparedness and education, multi-agency cooperation, and emergency medical and trauma system coordination within Douglas County. It publishes an annual Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Guide, and the guides for 2007 are…

Searching for Safer Sled Hill Access

By CPC | November 1, 2007

by Terri Wiebold Fall in Castle Pines North (CPN) came and went quickly this year, as our first snow hit in early October. With the snow each year comes many safety concerns in the community, especially in regard to pedestrians and sledding. Unfortunatley, one of the most popular sights for sledding in CPN happens to…

Buffalo Ridge Moms Search for Crosswalk Solution

By CPC | November 1, 2007

Master Association safety committee members meet with residents at the intersection of Monarch Boulevard and Oxford Drive to discuss ideas for improved safety at the crosswalk at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (Left to right: Carol Langley-Finnegan, Maureen Shul, Kerri Norris, and Rosanne Lumsden) by Terri Wiebold School zones are a particularly busy area of roadway traffic…

Spring Sports – Sign Up Now

By CPC | November 1, 2007

by Elean Gersack In a few short months it will be time to hit the ballparks and fields. Now is the time to register for spring sports leagues and activities. Castle Rock Recreation Center Castle Rock Recreation Center offers a variety of sports and activities. For more information and to register, visit www.crgov.com/recreation. Colorado Elite…

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