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Solo Cup Redevelopment Opponents Demand Information

A group opposed to the redevelopment of Solo Cup is demanding that Councilwoman Vicki Almond turn over records related to her efforts on behalf of Greenberg Gibbons, the developer of the project.

The three-page letter filed Tuesday by Say No to Solo Cup requests emails, instant messages and other documents from Almond and her staff as it relates to Greeenberg Gibbons and its lawyers, including former County Executive Jim Smith. Most of the documents requested relate to Almond's travel to Las Vegas to attend the International Council of Shopping Centers conference.

Almond is scheduled next week to announce a zoning decision that could lead to a redevelopment of the Owings Mills property. Greenberg Gibbons plan to build Foundry Row, a shopping center complex that would include a Wegmans grocery store.

Supik declined to discuss the request.

"It wasn't meant to become public to begin with," said Supik, who is part of the group Say No to Solo Cup.

"These are not accusations, these are questions," said Supik. "We're concerned about the integrity of the process and hope that Councilwoman Almond and the County Council will release the information and reassure the public."

Almond was not immediately available for comment.

The letter filed with Almond and the council seeks the documents prior to August 28, when the final zoning decision on the Solo Cup property is scheduled to be announced.

ddbs00

4:12 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Supik doesn't like that her group's public information request became public? Well that's pretty rich. Love how the Say No to Solo "coalition" is so concerned about transparency except for when it comes to their own...

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Robert Bloomberg

4:54 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

How many and how much in donations has Almond received from anyone associated with Foundry Row?

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ddbs00

9:10 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

That's a fair question. So is asking where the money behind the Say No to Solo coalition comes from. Both should be answered.

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Robert Bloomberg

9:14 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

That is fair. The difference is that Say No to Solo is not in the position to grant favors or zoning variances to developers.

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Maryland

7:33 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

What variance has Greenberg Gibbons asked for or received, Robert? And Shirley's coalition's stated purpose is "to promote the revitalization of our Owings Mills Mall.". Not traffic, not "public process", not planning, not environmental. These are simply means to an end, and you're seeing tactics like this FOIA request a week before the vote because they know they haven't been able to fool the community.

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Robert Bloomberg

9:14 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Isn't the change in the zoning in the Master Plan from manufacturing to retail the basis for this whole bruhaha?

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JBC

9:59 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Robert I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but while Say No has claimed the rezoning is against the Master Plan, here's a quote from the "Owings Mills Growth Area" section of the Master Plan:

"Where manufacturing uses are being phased out, work with property owners to evaluate rezoning and redevelopment opportunities to accommodate a mix of employment, retail or residential uses on the Northern Employment Corridor site and in the area to help revitalize the surrounding business and residential communities."

There it is plain and simple. This rezoning is exactly what the master plan calls for.

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Maryland

10:08 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Rezoning following the CZMP process is not a variance, Robert. There are 35 requests in District 2 alone, and this one is specifically recommended for rezoning in the Master Plan.

WJP

4:27 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Reisterstown Road is not the place for a Wegmans....Almond should suggest the mall area since that has gone to pot...sure for the right price the man would sell. Painters Mill and Reisterstown Road is a bad intersection to begin with and traffic in that corridor is bad enough. Nor if thecensus was taken into consideration the area is not wealthy enough to afford Wegmans.

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Sher Katz

4:55 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Why would anyone want to go to the mall. The developers don't care about it, their management has let it flounder for years while they focused their attention elsewhere. Like Harborplace and Towson Town Centre among others.

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Robert Bloomberg

10:34 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The proximity to the Owings Mills subway stop is a concern. It seems to be the elephant in the room that no one wants to address. I remember what a thriving upscale shopping experience Owings Mills Mall was before the extension of the subway. I remember how it was so successful they built what was supposed to be a luxury wing. Then the subway opened and the demographics changed. It seems like it didn’t take long for the mall to begin dying a slow death. The upscale shopper abandoned the mall and traveled toTowson instead.
I had my car stolen from the OM subway lot and broken into once.
What has changed to make anyone think the results would be any different?

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ddbs00

10:38 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Robert, with Metro Centre opening right at the subway station criminals won't have to go all the way to Foundry Row to rob and steal. That's something to thank Brown for.

Robert Bloomberg

4:51 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

When Ms Almond was elected I had high hopes that we had a councilperson who wasn't yet infected by political backscratching. Unfortunately, she had learned the political process all too well from her mentors. I believe she is more interested in serving her business donors than her constituents.

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Maryland

5:03 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

You mean like Ken "Let Me Check With Howard" Oliver?

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johnson j

7:28 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Robert. Are you an idiot? Or just a political grandstander? Almond is going against all of her political donors with this decision. We are all so glad to hear what you believe because you obviously are so knowledgeable (sarcastic of course). Do us all a favor Robert. Get a life. Or better yet. Get some guts and put your name on the ballot. Do you think you'd get more than 100 votes? I don't. Ms. Almond is doing a nice job. It's just too bad the internet gives people like you a place to write your stupidity.

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Robert Bloomberg

9:53 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

johnson j,....to resort to ad hominem attacks is unnecessary. It is from the school of debate from David Axelrod or David Plouff. How about some logic to back up your argument instead of personal insults. So far as guts go...how about using your real name to post instead of hiding behind a pseudonym.

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johnson j

11:11 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Almond got money from Brown and is doing the exact opposite of what he wants. Don't we elect people to do what's right for the community? Cut her some slack Robert.

Ron Davis

4:51 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Foundry developer has a stellar track record, while the other two drag their feet and fight with the county. I live in Owings Mills, do not miss this opportunity for a first class shopping center instead of the junk we have now.

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Sher Katz

4:58 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

I went to Wegmans this afternoon in Hunt Valley. It would be nice if I could spend my money in the town I live in.

Sher Katz

4:53 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The County should require that the Say No to Solo "non-profit coalition" turn over their public tax documents. Maybe it would clarify how they had the funds to do what they have done in the past months and clear up the issues in regards to who is backing them.

If it turns out there is a connection to another developer, an employee or board member of another developer, past or present, then their entire anti-Foundry Row marketing campaign should be completely discredited. Obviously.

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Lucy Fink

5:25 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Perhaps a like investigation of Ken "in your back pocket, Howard" Oliver's campaign contributors is called for. While Mr. Oliver was elected to work for the good of his constituency, he consistently demonstrates to whom his alligency lies. So disheartening for us.

Jake

5:29 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

So now baseless accusations against an elected official by Howard Brown and Company qualifies as news? Yes, if you read the Patch! How about Ken Oliver and every other member of the County Council turn over their records while we are at it instead of simply targeting Vicki Almond in an obvious scare tactic a few days before the Council makes the decision on Foundry Row? How about Developers Brown and Kimco turn over all of their records. With complete transparency from everybody, we will be back to square one: namely that Howard Brown and Company are the scum of the earth and produce horrid developments, while Gibbons and Company develop quality development for quality locations!

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Lauretta Nagel

6:04 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

You know, I was prepared to keep an open mind about the Say No to Solo folks - even though I disagree with them, it *is* a free country. But now I hear Ms. Supik say the request wasn't meant to be public?? Huh? Something is starting to smell and it's not the Council.

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Anil Sanghera

6:34 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Council will have to answer for a certain Las Vegas junket by the chairman with the Greenberg-Gibbons cohort.

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Maryland

6:50 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Maryland Party at ICSC is hardly private. There are over a thousand attendees, including just about every developer in MD and every public official.

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JBC

7:31 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/sun-investigates/bal-baltimore-city-pg-county-sent-largest-numbers-to-vegas-convention-20120524,0,1856107.story

the Sun has already reported that the Council Paid their own way to get there. KK is the only one who went on the taxpayer dime.

KW

6:56 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

More of Say No's shenanigans. That group has a lot of nerve talking about transparency when they are about as opaque as you can get.

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Robert Bloomberg

8:50 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

It's interesting to see how bold the blogger are who hide behind their pseudonyms. If they really have the courage of their convictions why don't they post with names that identify themselves, ie, jake, mayland, ddbsoo, kw and johnson j. It seems as if the Foundry Row supporters don't want to be know by who they really are.

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johnson j

11:13 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Just run for office Robert. I'm sure you will go very far. Bloggers by their nature have no guts. They hide behind their computers and spout information without having to know a thing or be accountable. I happen to be against Foundry Row and think Wegmans should be at the mall. But it is sickening to see people like you sit behind your desk and criticize when you know nothing.

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Robert Bloomberg

9:10 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Do you realize that you just described yourself.

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ZIG

9:22 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

1. The mall has been allowed to go downhill for years. Level it !!!
2. Vickie Almond is an honest person and a breath of fresh air who works hard for her constitiuents. I have little respect for many of the others who represent us. Foundry Row will make our area a premium destination and help a lot of the substandard businesses to exit our area. Whatever Vicki decides, i will support her.
You know who i am. Please go away.

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lobos32

3:26 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Again, Robert. Put your name on the ballot.

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Robert Bloomberg

4:01 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

What do my comments have to do with running for office; I'm debating the issue. If you've got a good point make it and I'll consider it....let's get some logic going here. Why don't you identify yourself?

JBC

7:43 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

And we're supposed to believe there's only one Robert Bloomberg in the area? If you want to talk about courage of convictions, then stop bashing Vicki Almond without knowing the facts. It is pretty well known that Brown was a huge backer for her in the last election. The fact that she has to courage to stand up to him and essentially ensure that he will throw his $$$ at another candidate in 2014 makes her the first truly courageous person to hold that job.

As for the Las Vegas conference, the Sun has already reported that the Council paid their own way to get there. I'm sure Almond and her staff we're smart enough to keep records of their payments for airfare, hotels, etc. They have 30 days to provide an answer under law, and not giving that answer before the 28th is not an admission of guilt like Say No would have us believe.

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Buck Harmon

8:21 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Interesting debate....in the end there will be improvement...somewhere..somehow.

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Tim

9:32 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Despite this article, I'm fairly certain Wegman's isn't going here.

Last I heard, which was fairly recently, Wegman's does plan to expand - to a location in Crofton, and further South in Germantown.

They are not opening up another Wegman's in Balt Co.

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JBC

9:42 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

And where did you get this info? Why would all these people be working so hard to get Foundry Row here if they didn't have a commitment from Wegmans? Greenberg Gibbons are the ones who turned Hunt Valley around by anchoring it with a Wegmans, so they clearly have a working relationship.

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Tim

10:05 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

News article in the Sun last week, I believe it was. It was the story I read about the new Giant being open here Friday.

In fact, it also included info that Whole Foods was planning on opening a new store in Columbia, as well.

Honestly, I'd be shocked if they opened a Wegman's here. There's no need. It makes no sense with the one in Hunt Valley. I don't doubt the working relationship, but there was a lot of handwringing about even opening the Abingdon one, because they prefer to keep a certain distance between their stores.

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Tim

10:08 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

^^^ this is also why Perry Hall will never get a Wegman's. In their mind, you go to their Abingdon one, or not at all. Their mindset, from what I read, is they think enough people will travel the distance to go to a ridiculously superior market. Their numbers appear to bear this out.

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Maryland

10:25 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

From that article: Wegmans, which has five Maryland stores, including those in Hunt Valley, Columbia and Abingdon, plans to open one facility in Crofton in October and another in Germantown next spring. The chain also is planning to anchor a retail project in Owings Mills that is in the planning stages.

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Tim

10:36 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

OK, memory fail on my part then. Thanks, I stand corrected.
Seem to have remembered everything else in that article BUT that.

Jimmy Clark

9:53 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Folks:

All I know is if the Solo Cup facility is not revitalized, it will remain an eye sore for years. I seriously doubt in this economy that another company will swoop in, buy that property and then spend alot of money to spruce that place up and make it "business as usual" over there. Drive by now and take a look at it. I have lived in the Owings Mills area since 2002 and have seen the good and the bad. The Mall in its current state is a joke and an embarrassment. Alot of roads still need paving and the grass is growing wild in the mediums. No OM still needs a lot of work. However recently, it appears that OM is getting a long over due face lift. New condos, the Hampton Inn, Red Run Blvd has been repaved, etc. I hope and pray that Greenberg Gibbons gets the zoning request needed to tear down that eye sore (Solo Cup Bldg) and build Wegman's. We all will benefit. I am sure the traffic problems will be dealt with in an adequate manner. Doing nothing and standing pat will result in a vacant property much like what has happened to the Krispy Kreme doughnut shop that closed its doors in May of 2008 and still remains vacant. Here is our chance! Take advantage of it. Jim Clark (concerned citizen of OM)

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Buzz Beeler

1:08 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Ah yes, now where have I heard he name of Jim Smith. Seems his influence is everywhere, everywhere!

I would seriously doubt Ms. Almod coming forward with information on this matter.

The council will vote across the board with the zoning changes as a matter of councilmatic curtsey or defined as - you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

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Robert Bloomberg

2:01 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

You're right...all this debate is meaningless when its politics as usual.

Steve

3:52 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

"Ah yes, now where have I heard he name of Jim Smith"

He was the County Executive from 2002-2010

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Buzz Beeler

3:59 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Yep that's him, still with his hands in the mix. You don't think he spent all those years and money on PUD's, council candidates and influence for nothing do you?

If the ratings that matched Congress were in line with their pay we would have a budget surplus. I think you can add Mr. Smith to that list. Apparently he saw the writing on the wall before bowing out of his Senate seat bid.

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Steve

4:12 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

He is a real estate lawyer. That is what he does for a living. It's how he makes his money.

It's no big deal.

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Buck Harmon

4:48 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

More like "steal estate" lawyer...or steal a state lawyer..

Buck Harmon

4:07 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Lawyers that become politicians should be disbarred...no good ever seems to come of it for the average citizen....too damn many cliques...

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Robert Bloomberg

4:30 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Two thumbs up on that one...remember what Shakespere said about lawyers?

Buzz Beeler

4:27 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Hey Steve, put up a shingle outside you office or whatever and write - A-1 Real Estate Lawyer for hire - and I'll sit here and watch you starve to death and it won't take long.

Smith is advertising his connections with the players and that is how the game is played. It's common sense and does not require a middle school education even though you claim among other careers to be an engineer.

Ask yourself this. His firm represents Fort Howard. How come they did not see what the GAO is looking at? Makes you wonder doesn't it Dutch.

http://dundalk.patch.com/blog_posts/feds-investigate-fort-howard-llc-and-process-behind-project

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Buck Harmon

6:27 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Steve is a "Patch pigeon" Buzz....wandering aimlessly up and down the boards pooing all over them with nothing of value to add. Pp..

Steve

5:02 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The GAO isn't looking at anything. That's just another one of your conspiracy theories.
You just make stuff up, write about it on Patch and pretend it's true.

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Buzz Beeler

5:45 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I have witnesses that say otherwise and they are ten times more credible than a guy named Steve/Robert/AdamBuam.

Now either put up some links, witnesses or other credible evidence behind that mouth or anything else except - Steve says. Either put up or shut up!

My witnesses are credible, you are not.

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Steve

6:09 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

LOL You have "witnesses" now? What a joke! How about a few "unnamed sources". You are just trying to smear people through rumor and innuendo.

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Buzz Beeler

6:19 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

If that were the case why haven't I been sued for libel. The reason is I write the truth and have the facts to back it up. Maybe you should take the time to watch the movie "All the President's Men," and then you might have an understanding of how these types of stories come together.

Go to my web site and see how long I've been doing this. Click on articles and read. Not bad with my column appearing next to Andy Rooney.

If anyone wants to sue me I'm right here. I would love to get some of these people on the stand under oath and there will be more than reporters in the audience.

Buzz Beeler

6:48 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Buck Steve is Steve. He'll never listen to anyone. I tried to convince him to practice adult discourse and he won't listen and that is why no one takes him seriously.

I learned many, many years ago as a young cop, never go into court without all of your ducks in a row. A good lawyer will eat you alive. When I get a tip I verify, verify, check and recheck. I run it by my lawyers just to make sure.

The problem is that these guys are playing the game and I'm sort of an umpire. They can argue with me in the comments and sue me if I libel them. The danger with a suit they had better be right cause sure as heck, I'll have to whole crowd on the stand and their lies the problem. You sequester those who will testify which presents a complex issue of who is saying what. Then there is the case of documents. I have file drawers of documents obtained through PIA's.

I spent 39 years in government. You get to know a lot of people, many of them who have seen it all. When that happens, and you get an unhappy workforce your phone will ring off the hook. There are many times I can't get to all the issues that come my way. I try and work on issues that are new and not previously reported by the media.

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FIFA_archived

8:17 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Buzz, your problem should be with Buck. Although Steve speaks things you disagree with, Buck is a self admitted tax fraud. He believes that the federal income tax is illegal and thus evades it. Which is a felony. Be careful who you sleep with Buzz.

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Buck Harmon

9:31 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

O FIFA, Fifa, fifa...The original Patch Pigeon, lies through is beak while poopin up the Patch with unfounded statements created from his tiny pigeon mind. Buzz has been on to your very non productive poo for a long time.
I'll give you one last chance to prove that this comment is not a lie brfore shutting you down. Provide us with either the statement that I made about cheating on any tax or evading anything, including your lame comments. Or provide us with the statute that gives the government legal authority to take personal property without your permission. You have failed miserable 9 times now by spewing the same lame lie. Provide some proof or remain the PP goof...you tell a lot of lies, no wonder you cower at using a real name.

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Buck Harmon

9:36 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I also heard from a very reliable source that you were a Nixon lover...".little Dick."..

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Bryan P. Sears

8:41 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012

More this morning from Owings Mills Patch Local Editor Marc Shapiro on the lack of transparency when it comes to who is funding the "Say No to Solo Cup" opposition group. http://owingsmills.patch.com/articles/the-mysterious-funding-of-say-no-to-solo

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Steve

10:24 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012

"Or provide us with the statute that gives the government legal authority to take personal property without your permission."

More of that Sovereign Citizen BS. How are your fellow Sovereign Citizens making out down in LA after they ambushed the 4 Cops?

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