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Oneida County hotel occupancy edges up in July
UTICA — Oneida County hotels registered a more than 1 percent increase in guests in July, as two other important indicators of business performance posted
Blueberry Brook Farm Resort offers adventure and respite
DEANSBORO — Blueberry Brook Farm Resort recently held a ribbon-cutting event for what it has dubbed its Farm Country Club. It’s a grouping of amenities available at the 250-acre complex that includes mountain bike and hiking trails, a bed and breakfast, and an event venue at 6827 Van Hyning Road in Deansboro. “I’m creating the
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DEANSBORO — Blueberry Brook Farm Resort recently held a ribbon-cutting event for what it has dubbed its Farm Country Club. It’s a grouping of amenities available at the 250-acre complex that includes mountain bike and hiking trails, a bed and breakfast, and an event venue at 6827 Van Hyning Road in Deansboro.
“I’m creating the fun zone here,” Blueberry Brook Owner Dan Williams says. The self-proclaimed Willy Wonka of Deansboro says he’s leaning into that role and hopes he’s creating a place that people not only want to visit, but one where they can reconnect with themselves — especially their inner child — while they are there.
“I’m inviting people to rethink themselves,” he says.
The property boasts a five-bedroom farmhouse that serves as the main bed and breakfast, a remodeled schoolhouse that accommodates up to four guests, and a treehouse cabin. Amenities include a game room equipped with pool and ping-pong tables, board games, and a bar. There’s also a koi pond, full CrossFit gym and yoga studio in the Blueberry Barn, which is where the Farm Country Club starts to come into play.
“The Farm Country Club, we’re in phase two right now,” Williams says. “We’re building out treatment areas.” The hope is to add services such as massage and acupuncture to the facility, which offers memberships.
That’s not all Williams has planned for Blueberry Brook, which he purchased in 2022 from a couple who had already transformed the house into a bed and breakfast.
Williams, who also owns Willams Fence of CNY, Inc., already owned acres of land and was busy during the pandemic building out hiking and biking trails.
“I built that last mile of trail, and it led me to Blueberry Brook,” he recalls. That 32-acre property fit like a puzzle piece into his existing land, Williams says, but also sparked the idea of an agritourism business.
Many of the pieces were already in place — the bed and breakfast, an acre of blueberries, and a wildflower garden. Combined with the trails, Blueberry Brook is on its way to becoming a four-season event space and destination.
“That’s the vision I see,” he says.
Now that the gym and yoga studio are up and running, he’s turning his attentions toward the next project — developing a golf course on the property.
“I went to Ireland and was inspired by the golf courses there,” says Williams. That trip helped develop the vision he has for his course, which combines agricultural elements with the beloved sport.
“I’m planning and mapping it out for each hole to be a sheep pasture,” he says. “All the obstacles will be edible.” He envisions a course lined with fruit trees and bushes, where players can play the course and bring a picking basket.
An on-site dog park is also in the works.
Events also remain an important part of the resort. From weddings to corporate events, Williams’ goal is to provide a welcoming space that can host gatherings as small as executive retreats for six to weddings with 150 guests.
Blueberry Brook Farm Resort has a core group of five employees, with additional staff for events and instructors at the gym and yoga studio.
New York manufacturing index remained underwater in August
The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index edged up nearly 2 points in August, but stayed in negative territory at -4.7, which indicates a continued deterioration in manufacturing activity. Based on firms responding to the survey, the August reading indicates business activity “edged slightly lower” in New York state, the Federal Reserve Bank of
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The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index edged up nearly 2 points in August, but stayed in negative territory at -4.7, which indicates a continued deterioration in manufacturing activity.
Based on firms responding to the survey, the August reading indicates business activity “edged slightly lower” in New York state, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in its Aug. 15 report.
A negative index reading indicates a decline in the sector, while a positive number shows expansion or growth in manufacturing activity.
The survey found “new orders declined modestly, while shipments held steady,” the New York Fed said. It also found firms were “fairly optimistic” that conditions would improve in the months ahead.
The new orders index fell 7 points to -7.9, pointing to a decline in orders, while the shipments index fell to around zero, suggesting shipments were “flat,” the New York Fed said. Unfilled orders continued to decline.
The inventories index fell to -10.6, indicating that inventories moved lower. The delivery times index remained below zero at -3.2, suggesting that delivery times continued to shorten, while the supply-availability index came in at -2.1, a sign that supply availability was slightly lower.
The index for number of employees was little changed at -6.7, pointing to another month of employment reductions, while the average-workweek index dropped 18 points to -17.8, signaling a “sharp decline” in hours worked. The prices-paid index edged down 3 points to 23.4, indicating a “slight moderation” in input price increases, while the prices-received index edged up 2 points but remained low at 8.5, indicating that selling price increases were still modest.
Firms remained fairly optimistic about the outlook. The index for future business conditions came in at 22.9, with 45 percent of respondents expecting conditions to improve over the next six months. The outlook for employment growth picked up, and capital-spending plans, “while sluggish, firmed somewhat compared to last month,” the New York Fed said.
The New York Fed distributes the Empire State Manufacturing Survey on the first day of each month to the same pool of about 200 manufacturing executives in New York. On average, about 100 executives return responses.
N.Y. communities can pursue $200M available in DRI, NY Forward programs
ALBANY — Two of New York’s downtown-revitalization and economic-development programs have $200 million in funding available for those communities interested in pursuing grant money for local improvements. The dollar amounts include $100 million each for the eighth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and the third round of the NY Forward program, which focuses
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ALBANY — Two of New York’s downtown-revitalization and economic-development programs have $200 million in funding available for those communities interested in pursuing grant money for local improvements.
The dollar amounts include $100 million each for the eighth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and the third round of the NY Forward program, which focuses on revitalizing smaller and rural downtowns.
Together, the two programs have awarded $1 billion in funding to 124 communities across every region of the state since 2016, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced recently.
Applications are available now through the state’s consolidated funding application portal, and the deadline to apply is Oct. 18 at 4 p.m.
To receive funding from either the DRI or NY Forward program, localities must be certified under the governor’s Pro-Housing Communities Program, a policy designed to reward local governments that are “working to address New York’s housing crisis,” per Hochul’s office. Localities must have at least submitted a letter of intent to become a pro-housing community prior to applying for funding through DRI or NY Forward and must be certified before receiving an award through either program.
“New York State is home to so many communities with rich histories and charm, and our Downtown Revitalization and NY Forward programs are helping to transform those communities into hubs of activity while retaining the characteristics that make them so unique,” New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley said in the announcement. “This $200 million in funding will help an additional 29 downtown communities turn their visions of revitalization into a reality, in turn spurring local and regional economies and strengthening all of New York State.”
The DRI was launched in 2016 to accelerate and bolster the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all 10 regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for increased local investments, Hochul’s office said.
Led by the New York State Department of State, DRI communities benefit from partnerships with and coordinated technical assistance provided by the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal, Empire State Development (ESD), and the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (OR NYSERDA).
The DRI represents an “unprecedented and innovative ‘plan-then-act’ strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation. For DRI round eight, joint applications of two to three contiguous communities in the same REDC region with a single unified vision will be accepted.
First announced as part of the 2022 budget, Gov. Hochul created the NY Forward program to “build on the momentum created by the DRI.”
The program, which is funded at $100 million in this year’s state budget, supports a “more equitable” downtown recovery for New York’s smaller and rural communities with a focus on hamlet and villages.
NY Forward seeks to serve smaller communities and support local economies that “often have a feel and charm that is distinct” from larger, metropolitan urban centers funded through DRI.
To date, NY Forward has awarded a total of $200 million to 43 communities over two rounds.
Le Moyne inks agreement with Legends for fundraising efforts
SYRACUSE — Le Moyne College has plans to renovate the Thomas J. Niland Jr. Athletic Complex and has signed a five-year agreement with Legends to help in the fundraising effort. Le Moyne is working to raise $40 million to support the renovation project. “This partnership will benefit the entire campus community,” Le Moyne President Linda
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SYRACUSE — Le Moyne College has plans to renovate the Thomas J. Niland Jr. Athletic Complex and has signed a five-year agreement with Legends to help in the fundraising effort.
Le Moyne is working to raise $40 million to support the renovation project.
“This partnership will benefit the entire campus community,” Le Moyne President Linda LeMura said in the school’s announcement. “The planned renovations to the Niland complex will add to and upgrade our fields, fitness and wellness facilities used by students, faculty and staff, as well as those living in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Working with Legends will allow our advancement and innovation team to continue to focus on academics and other key areas of fundraising.”
Mike Behan, who graduated from Le Moyne in 2005, is the president of Legends’ college division, the school noted.
Founded in 2008, New York City–based Legends describes itself as a “premium experiences company” with six divisions that include global planning, global sales, hospitality, global partnerships, global merchandise, and Legends IQ.
Legends launched its philanthropy practice in 2017 and has built a “successful fundraising track record,” Le Moyne said.
The firm has worked with the University of Notre Dame, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Southern California, Villanova University, and the Rose Bowl. All told, the company has assisted in maximizing revenue associated with more than $2 billion in new and renovated facility projects.
The company’s IQ division provides the “business intelligence driving and informing its work.”
“I’m excited that we are bringing in a global leader to help us achieve our goals in the athletics, fitness and wellness areas,” Jim Joseph, VP for advancement and innovation and dean of the Madden College of Business and Economics, said in the school’s announcement. “Working seamlessly as one team, advancement and innovation and Legends will also procure resources for athletic scholarships and other athletic-focused endowment funds.”
In addition to working on donations to fund the immediate athletics needs, the Legends approach is to develop a “sustainable fundraising model” to provide for annual gifts going forward, “building a culture of athletic philanthropy that will develop a pipeline” for major gifts in the future.
“It brings me great pride that Legends has the privilege to partner with Le Moyne, my alma mater,” Behan said. “This is a transformative time for Le Moyne given its recent move to Division I. We look forward to supporting the College in reaching new heights!”
Oswego Health announces new board leadership
OSWEGO — The Oswego Health board of directors recently unanimously voted on changes to the health system’s board leadership. Victoria L. Furlong was named board chair, Pete Cullinan will serve as vice chair, and Ron Tascarella has been appointed as board secretary. All three will serve two-year board terms through June 30, 2026. As SUNY
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OSWEGO — The Oswego Health board of directors recently unanimously voted on changes to the health system’s board leadership.
Victoria L. Furlong was named board chair, Pete Cullinan will serve as vice chair, and Ron Tascarella has been appointed as board secretary. All three will serve two-year board terms through June 30, 2026.
As SUNY Oswego’s chief financial officer, Furlong oversees facilities services, human resources and payroll, University Police, finance and budget, student accounts, purchasing, and internal control. Appointed in September 2021, Furlong is a member of the president’s cabinet and is the first woman to serve as SUNY Oswego’s VP for administration and finance. She began her career at SUNY Oswego over 25 years ago and has had progressive leadership experiences across campus. Furlong serves on a variety of SUNY-wide committees supporting the university system at large, as well as the Oswego County Micron Strategy Steering Committee.
Cullinan is a native and lifelong resident of Oswego and a retiree of Exelon. Before his retirement at the end of 2021, he worked in the emergency planning field with a focus on nuclear-plant emergency planning since 1990, first with Oswego County and most recently with Exelon at the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant. In addition to Oswego Health, he has been involved with the American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross, Operation Oswego County, and the Town of Minetto Zoning Board of Appeals. In addition to serving as vice chair of the Oswego Health board, Cullinan also is a member of the Oswego Health Foundation board.
As the EVP and chief banking officer of Pathfinder Bank, Tascarella has more than 45 years of experience in banking, working alongside small businesses and individuals throughout Central New York. His specialization is in the areas of commercial lending, credit administration, and sales. In addition to serving as secretary of the Oswego Health board of directors, Tascarella is also president of the Red House board of directors, treasurer of the Gifford Foundation, and board member for the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
As a nonprofit health-care system established in 1881, Oswego Health is Oswego County’s largest private employer. More than 1,300 employees spread throughout its 18 locations, work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 132-bed community Oswego Hospital; a 32-bed psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral-health service locations; The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled-nursing facility; and Springside at Seneca Hill, an independent retirement community.
First 5 startups in Syracuse Surge Accelerator finish program
SYRACUSE — The first five startups in CenterState CEO’s yearlong Syracuse Surge Accelerator have finished their work in the program. The inaugural group of startups involved Clutch Delivery, Certainty Analytical Labs, HippoH Apparel, Sign-Speak, and Talkadot. A recognition event held Aug. 7 at Le Moyne College included presentations by Surge Accelerator team founders, a keynote
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SYRACUSE — The first five startups in CenterState CEO’s yearlong Syracuse Surge Accelerator have finished their work in the program.
The inaugural group of startups involved Clutch Delivery, Certainty Analytical Labs, HippoH Apparel, Sign-Speak, and Talkadot.
A recognition event held Aug. 7 at Le Moyne College included presentations by Surge Accelerator team founders, a keynote address, and the chance to network with the teams, CenterState CEO said.
“We are so lucky to be a part of these five incredible companies’ journeys. Over the course of the year, they have all been able to advance their businesses, bringing their innovative ideas to life,” Emad Rahim, Syracuse Surge Accelerator program manager, said in the announcement. “The perspectives and experiences shared by these five founders will continue to shape CenterState CEO programming as we seek to continually build a more inclusive economy.”
Syracuse Surge is described as an “inclusive community plan to ignite economic growth and neighborhood transformation in the city of Syracuse and the Central New York region. It builds on a massive investment in technology infrastructure to drive new strategic investment,” per the CenterState CEO announcement.
The program provides Black-Indigenous-Persons of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs who want to launch and accelerate tech-related and tech-adjacent startups with supports needed to grow a successful business.
The companies had access to free workspace at the Syracuse Tech Garden, extensive programming, executive advisors, and marketing and fundraising support. Each startup also received financial support — such as ignition grants and monthly stipends — totaling more than $50,000.
“The Syracuse Surge Accelerator played a pivotal role in helping me overcome a significant challenge I was facing before joining the program,” Yami Payano, co-founder of Sign-Speak, said in the announcement. “One of the main issues I encountered was effectively scaling my sales operations. Through the accelerator, I gained access to experienced mentors and industry experts who provided invaluable insights and strategies tailored to my specific needs. Additionally, the collaborative environment fostered by the program allowed me to exchange ideas and receive feedback from fellow entrepreneurs, which further refined my approach.”
Funding for the Syracuse Surge Accelerator was provided, in part, by JPMorgan Chase Foundation and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT).
“This program was created in response to a critical gap in the innovation ecosystem. Fewer than 25% of tech startups in the United States have founders of color, which is fueled by structural and cultural barriers,” Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO. “The Syracuse Surge Accelerator gives BIPOC entrepreneurs direct access to resources and expertise, and with this support, each founder advanced their business and gained skills they’ll use to continue their success. I can’t wait to see all that they accomplish in the future.”
The Syracuse Surge Accelerator has not yet started accepting applications for the next cohort. Those interested in applying should complete the interest form and will be notified when the application period opens. The link to the interest form is: https://fs4.formsite.com/2yTmtI/SurgeAccel/index.
Federal dollars to help fund projects at several upstate airports, lawmakers say
Federal-grant awards will help airports across upstate New York, including those serving Syracuse and areas of the North Country, finance projects focused on safety and facility improvement. The nine airports will use more than $5.2 million in federal funding to support airport-safety and infrastructure-improvement projects, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) and U.S. Senator
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Federal-grant awards will help airports across upstate New York, including those serving Syracuse and areas of the North Country, finance projects focused on safety and facility improvement.
The nine airports will use more than $5.2 million in federal funding to support airport-safety and infrastructure-improvement projects, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.) announced Aug. 14.
This federal money was administered through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Airport Infrastructure Grant program, which Schumer “fought hard to create and fund” in his Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law, his office said.
The projects include developing and implementing new airport-safety plans and constructing and expanding terminals, taxiways, and airport signage.
“The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority extends our deepest thanks to Senator Schumer for his unwavering support and leadership in securing the … grant for the Ogdensburg International Airport,” Steve Lawrence, executive director of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, said in the Schumer announcement. “This funding is crucial for the ongoing renovation and modernization of our terminal, ensuring that we can continue to serve our community and visitors with state-of-the-art facilities.”
The senators explained that the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law provided $5 billion in competitive grants for airport-terminal development projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation’s airports, and this announcement represents the latest round of funding.
In the announcement, Schumer’s office provided a list of the funding awards for each facility and the project it targets.
Madison County offers tax relief to volunteer firefighters, ambulance workers
WAMPSVILLE — Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who live in — and own a home in — Madison County will soon see some relief on property taxes under a new law that the county recently passed. Local Law No. 2 of 2024 provides for a real property tax exemption for those volunteers who put their
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WAMPSVILLE — Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who live in — and own a home in — Madison County will soon see some relief on property taxes under a new law that the county recently passed.
Local Law No. 2 of 2024 provides for a real property tax exemption for those volunteers who put their lives on the line to help others, says Kyle Reger, Cazenovia town supervisor and member of the Madison County Board of Supervisors.
Reger began pursuing the new law earlier this year — after just taking office in January — after the Town of Cazenovia passed a similar type of exemption in December 2023.
He began talking to others in Madison County like the treasurer and real property tax director, along with Dan Degear, director of the county’s emergency management office.
“The whole idea was we have this tremendous group of volunteers in our community who are willing to risk their lives,” Reger says. He wanted to do something that would help them in return.
The county crunched some numbers, and “it seemed to be a viable solution that we could move forward,” Reger says.
The result is the county’s newest local law, adopted by the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 13. Next up, the law must be approved by the state before it can take effect.
Once it does, volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers residing in Madison County can apply for a real property tax exemption of 10 percent of their property’s assessed value for town and county tax purposes.
The law is important on multiple levels, Degear says. Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers not only give of their time, but also incur a lot of personal expenses, including traveling to and from scenes in their personal vehicles and attending required training.
“Anything we can do to help pay that back a little bit,” Degear notes.
There are some restrictions on applying for the tax break, though. The tax exemption can only be granted to an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or ambulance service. The applicant must live in the city, town, or village served by the volunteer organization, and the property must be their primary residence. Applicants also must have completed two years of active service with the volunteer organization. Each incorporated volunteer organization will submit a list of its enrolled members to the appropriate city, town, or village assessor.
Volunteers who have accrued 20 years of active service are eligible to receive the 10-percent exemption for their lifetime, as long as their primary residence is located within Madison County.
The law also contains provisions for widows and widowers of those killed in the line of duty to receive an exemption, if they have not remarried.
Reger says it’s too soon to say what the financial impacts of the law will be. It depends on numerous factors including how many people apply for the exemption.
“The volunteers aren’t going to get rich off this, and the county’s not going to go broke,” Degear notes.
Madison County hopes the exemption will serve as a recruitment tool for the various volunteer fire and ambulance organizations to bring in new volunteers.
That could save the county and its villages and towns money if it means they don’t have to create paid professional positions to fill a void left by a lack of volunteers.
Once the state approves the law, qualified volunteers can start applying in 2025 for the exemption, which will apply to the 2026 tax year.
Former West Carthage Housing Authority leader sentenced in embezzlement scheme
More than $48,000 in restitution recovered WEST CARTHAGE — The former executive director of the West Carthage Housing Authority (WCHA) has been sentenced to serve five years of probation for a scheme that allowed her to steal more than $48,000 in WCHA funds. The office of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced the
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WEST CARTHAGE — The former executive director of the West Carthage Housing Authority (WCHA) has been sentenced to serve five years of probation for a scheme that allowed her to steal more than $48,000 in WCHA funds.
The office of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced the sentencing on Aug. 7. Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna Mills, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General (HUD OIG), and the New York State Police were also involved in the investigation.
Hoffman was sentenced before Judge David Renzi in Jefferson County Court.
The sentencing of Hoffman’s mother, Katherine (Katie) Pais, who pled guilty to aiding in and concealing the scheme, was adjourned to June 2, 2025, DiNapoli’s office said.
Following their June 3 guilty pleas and prior to sentencing, the pair paid back $48,930 in restitution to the West Carthage Housing Authority.
“Hoffman and Pais betrayed the public trust in their scheme to steal over $48,000 in funds meant to support seniors and people with disabilities residing in the West Carthage Housing Authority,” DiNapoli said in the announcement. “I thank Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna S. Mills, the HUD Inspector General, and the State Police for partnering with my office to hold them accountable for their crimes.”
“The defendants took advantage of their position and violated the public trust by defrauding HUD-assisted housing programs of scarce taxpayer dollars intended to provide housing to individuals and seniors with disabilities,” Vicky Vazquez, special agent-in-charge with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, said in the announcement. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates HUD OIG’s steadfast commitment to working with our prosecutorial, law enforcement and oversight partners to aggressively pursue those who engage in activities that threaten the integrity of HUD programs.”
Hoffman served as the executive director of the West Carthage Housing Authority, a government-funded apartment complex for low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities, from 2016 to 2021.
Pais, Hoffman’s mother, was hired as a vendor to act as an accounts payable bookkeeper at the housing authority from 2016 to 2020.
Based upon an anonymous tip, DiNapoli’s office and the HUD OIG commenced an investigation of all monies controlled by Hoffman and found that she had been making personal purchases with housing authority funds since 2016, her entire tenure as executive director.
In total, Hoffman stole more than $48,000 from the authority using its financial accounts and credit lines to pay unauthorized personal expenses, including retail and grocery purchases, and to fund her and her family’s personal cell-phone expenses.
She also submitted more than $1,000 in additional false reimbursement claims.
Through her role as the accounts payable bookkeeper, Pais was responsible for reviewing claims and preparing checks for payment. She abused her position in order to facilitate her daughter’s theft by making the illicit payments and then falsifying authority records to conceal her daughter’s crimes, according to the comptroller.
“This sentencing should serve as a reminder that those who manipulate innocent victims will be brought to justice. Our joint investigation determined that the suspects in this case violated the public trust by circumventing financial accounts intended to fund safe housing for individuals,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said in the DiNapoli announcement. “I thank the Comptroller’s Office, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Office of the Inspector General for their partnership in this case.”
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