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1962 -1965
HISTORY
Chester A. Kowal was born in Buffalo on August 17, 1904, the oldest of eight children.
When his blacksmith father was disabled in an accident,
the family decided to open a grocery store at 55 Gittere
Street. At 13, Kowal became second in charge at the store.
He attended St. Adalbert's School, School 58, and
Hutchinson Central High
School
After high school, he went to work as an auditor-accountant
for a tire firm.
At 16 (1920), he joined the 106th Field Artillery,
National Guard , until his actual age was found out, and
he was discharged.
"I thought it was the real thing and I pleaded
that the only reason I lied about my age was because I wanted
to help my country," he said.
He turned down a basketball scholarship at Canisius
College in order to play professionally to earn money. He played with
the once world champion German Orioles and the Buffalo Lincolns basketball teams, and semi-pro baseball with the Easter
Brands.
Kowal was also an outstanding boxer. Once he found
himself fighting for the Western New York AAU welterweight
championship because the original opponent was not available.
He won three decisions that night which made him a contender
for the U.S. Olympic boxing team. Unfortunately, he later
injured his right hand which put him out of contention.
During this time Kowal attended the Buffalo School of Commerce, and the University of Buffalo
evenings.
For a while he worked for a tailor and joined local
20 of the United Garment Workers America. He later became
secretary, and then president of the union, and kept his
membership for his lifetime.
His family started Walden Bottling Works in 1924,
a company that bottled carbonated beverages at the height
of prohibition , which he managed in his spare time.
There is a mention that Kowal was the 1924 Golden
Gloves welterweight champion. If true, it was possibly for
the state of New York or the Buffalo area.
In 1926 he entered his first public position as an
auditor in the Department of Parks and Public Buildings.
In late 1942, he enlisted in the Air Force as a private
and was sent to Officers Training School. He saw service
in the Southwest and five months in the Pacific Theater
during World War II In April 1946 he was discharged as a
lieutenant-colonel. He was president of the Pope Field Officers
Club during his enlistment.
Kowal became the first World War II veteran elected Erie County American Legion commander in 1950.
That same year he turned down the Republican endorsement
for state senator because of his Legion activity.
In 1951 Kowal ran for city comptroller on the Republican
ticket.
"After serving many years as an auditor for
the city, I found that many of the ideas I advanced for
improvements never got off the ground," he stated.
"So I made my mind to run for elective office
where I could put my ideas to work."
He was successful in his first election, defeating
the incumbent Democrat by nearly 5,000 votes.
In 1955 Kowal won a second term by nearly 25,000
votes.
During his tenure he modernized and centralized accounting
and payroll procedures and increased the city's return on
investment funds by close to $400,000 in one year.
He devised a long-range debt management and reduction
plan which was approved by the Common Council
in 1952.
Since Kowal had such a strong showing in his last
comptroller race, he was chosen in 1957 to represent the
GOP as their mayoral candidate. He was unopposed for the
September primary and just had to concentrate on the November
election.
City Court Judge Frank A. Sedita
won the Democratic nomination from the endorsed candidate, Elmer
F. Lux
Lux remained in the race as an independent.
On October 30, 1957, after leaving a political rally,
Kowal's car was struck while en route to another rally.
He was slightly injured and was not able to campaign as
vigorously as before. William C. Marcy, Senator Mahoney
and other friends decided to carry on Kowal's campaigning.
The general election was held on November 5, 1957.
In an amazingly tight mayoral battle, Sedita just edged
Kowal. As Republican campaign workers tallied the votes,
they appeared to be losing in most offices. Included at
headquarters in the Ellicott Square Building were former
Mayor's Bernard Dowd
and Joseph Mruk
, "reminders of more jubilant election nights in the
past."
The unofficial vote was Sedita 72,306, Kowal 72,246,
Lux 45,759, James A. Peck
, Liberal, 1,835, and 4,477 void and blank. The counting
went right down to the last two districts and it appeared
Sedita had won by 60 votes.
"It's the Lux vote in normally Republican districts"
that hampered Kowal's campaign. He should have "carried
the university District
2 - 1," said one party leader.
Kowal spent the evening at his house, still recovering
from the October auto accident. He kept his own tally on
paper until all the votes were in. He made no comment after
counting them up.
Republican County Chairman Ralph A. Lehr
could not concede the victory until an official tally was taken.
Kowal also refused to concede, although he expressed
his congratulations to Sedita on his initial win.
"I congratulate Judge Sedita and offer my best
wishes for a successful administration," was Kowal's
press statement.
Sedita carried 13 wards, Kowal 11, and Lux three.
The Democrats also increased their stake in the Common Council
from 9 to 11.
On November 11, 1957 the voting booths were canvassed
and Sedita did indeed win.
Kowal was re-elected comptroller in November 1959
by nearly 17,000 votes, on a ticket where he won the only
citywide contest.
In March 1960 he was one of the prospective candidates
for the first Erie County Executive position, but it was
later given to another person.
Chet Kowal gave the mayoral calling another shot
in 1961. After three years of Sedita rule, Kowal wanted
another chance. His campaign planks called for "removing
politics from the Police Department, a workable environmental
plan, relief from "unfair' assessments and high taxes
, helping industry and business, traffic improvements, public
safety, human betterment, a Senior Citizens Commission,
and integrity in politics."
Kowal was endorsed by at least 12 organized labor
unions.
Sedita was the endorsed Democratic candidate.
At the primary, held on September 7, 1961, Mayor
Sedita
lost his race to Councilman Victor I. Manz 25,337 to 24,900.
Sedita was determined to stay on the campaign trail and
continued as an independent on the Citizen's Party ticket.
In addition, Peter B. Carr also ran as an independent.
Kowal was unopposed for the primary.
LIFE AS A MAYOR
The final battle between Kowal and Sedita occurred
on November 7, 1961, at the polls. The Republicans made
a much stronger showing in most offices, than in the past
few years.
In the four-way race for mayor, Kowal came out on
top, defeating Sedita, 74,995 to 62,196. As in the 1957
race, the third candidate garnered a lot of support, as
Manz received 51,899, and Carr 8,016.
The GOP gained two more seats on the Common Council
, bringing their total to four.
This campaign found Chester Kowal
receiving the early returns in his campaign suite in Hotel Buffalo
About 9:30 p.m. he arrived at Republican Headquarters, celebrating
his much deserved victory. The "Kowal Polka Dance"
was being played by the "Kowal-Ettes," a female
quartet that accompanied him on some campaign tours.
With television cameras and flashbulbs lighting his
face, he spoke to the crowd:
"It is with deep humility and gratefulness that
I thank the citizens of the City of Buffalo
for according me the opportunity of uniting this city and its
people into a single, happy community.
"I realize the days ahead are not easy days.
"I will need the help of every man and woman
in this community to help restore Buffalo
to its rightful place among the great cities of our nation.
"To those of you who voted for my opponents,
I say to you now, that I am as much your mayor as the man
you voted for.
"I came before you in this election as an American,
seeking to serve American citizens, and I pledge to you
now that I will be your American mayor of this great American
city.
"And now, I beseech the help of the Good Lord,
together with your help and your prayers in the trying days
that lie ahead."
Kowal carried 13 of the 27 wards, Sedita 12, and
Manz two.
Mayor Kowal
delivered his first Annual report to the Common Council
on January 8, 1963.
"While generally this report is devoted to a
partial and factual recital of some of the activities and
accomplishments of the various executive departments, the
single fact of over-riding importance at this midway point
in the current fiscal year is the financial plight in which
the city now finds itself.
"Perhaps it be simpler and more politic to simply
state the condition and go on from there. But because I
am convinced that this condition could have been avoided
and because it is yet possible to remedy to some extent
the harm that has been done, I believe it expedient and
necessary to fix responsibility where it belongs.
"As a result of the failure of the Common Council
to provide the funds necessary for the normal operation of this
city's government, we are faced with the deficit of $4,100,000
at the end of the fiscal year.
"Candor compels me again to assess responsibility
for this unprecedented budget situation directly to the
majority members of your Honorable Body.
"It should be added that the Common Council
yet has the opportunity to alleviate, to some extent, the severity
of our position by accepting my recommendations that water
rates be adjusted upward to a point where income therefrom
is sufficient to pay the expense of operating our water
system.
"I further earnestly solicit your cooperation
and unstintingly extend to you my full support in seeking
an increase to a realistic level, in the amount of per capita
state aid.
"Directly related to any discussion of our budget
is the question of pay raises for the police
and other city employees. At this point there should be no doubt
concerning my conviction that many of our employees are
underpaid
"At the same time it must be apparent that my
intentions cannot be served by a budget which allows insufficient
revenue to maintain current operations, let alone funds
for pay raises. Under these circumstances, I can only restate
my pledge that as funds for the purpose become available,
appropriate raises will be the first order of business.
"When this administration was inaugurated last
January, the urban renewal program for the City of Buffalo
was already in its tenth year. Not one brick had been laid,
not one nail had been driven in all that time. An immediate
all-out analysis of the situation was indicated and I pledged
to the citizens of Buffalo
that urban renewal would receive precedence in an administration
already beset with top-priority problems.
"Gradually and painstakingly, a comprehensive
analysis of the City's urban renewal problems emerged. Although
these problems had at last been identified their solution
was contingent upon the methods elected to attack them.
It was decided to meet the issues head-on, directly and
individually, knowing that criticism, public and private
would be unrelenting.
"It can be said that the Ellicott District Redevelopment
Project...is a classic example of the 'growing pains' phase
of Urban Renewal
...Let me say that I have every reason to believe that construction
of middle income housing
in the Ellicott District Project will get underway in the spring
of 1963.
"The Masten Park
General Neighborhood Renewal Plan provides for Urban Renewal
treatment of 756 acres of varying degrees of blight in almost
the precise center of the City of Buffalo
"The Thruway
Industrial Park
Project is of inestimable importance in the City's current Urban
Renewal
Program in that it will provide badly needed industrial sites.
"1962 has seen another much-needed and long-deferred
aspect of Urban Renewal
Programming - the formation of a Citizens Advisory Committee.
"Plans for the renewal and revitalization of
Buffalo
's central business district, physically and economically
distressed for a number of years, have been tangibly stimulated
in 1962 by the organized efforts of business and civic groups
working in close cooperation with city and county governmental
agencies.
"The Division of Rehabilitation and Conservation
has under way a very successful rehabilitation program in
the North Street area. Local real estate men and bankers
have made the statement that this is the only area in Buffalo
where real estate values have not decreased; in fact they have
increased.
"During 1962, a thorough
reshaping and modernization of the Police Department has
taken place. Among the more important changes and improvements
are...
"...Radio dispatchers
and equipment moved from Delaware Park
to Headquarters and placed close to complaint desk, centralizing
operations and eliminating unnecessary delay in transmission,
resulting in instantaneous
"A new Snorkel type apparatus was delivered
to the (fire) Department at the end of 1961.
"During the year it was discovered that the
bridges and viaducts which the City is responsible for totaling
about 185, are deteriorating in many cases from totally
inadequate maintenance.
"Street surfaces are found to be in better condition
than those of most cities. Salt damage to Portland cement
concrete street bases is, however, becoming extensive.
"During May, the important Ohio Street Lift
Bridge was completed and opened to traffic.
"Under the city's 'Clean-Up Program,' more than
80 dilapidated private buildings were demolished during
the year, and several others are in various stages of condemnation.
"With approval of the Common Council
, the city's Bath Houses were closed. It had been shown
that cost of operation of these facilities greatly exceeded
their usefulness to the public.
"After ten years, skating was resumed at Delaware
Park
Lake. Muny Softball League formed with a new Board of Directors.
Golfers were permitted to golf once again at Delaware Park
on Sunday afternoons.
"More than 530,000 people are looking to us
to provide, in the fullest possible measure, those services
for which they pay taxes
- services which in many instances are vital and necessary to
everyday living.
"I am convinced that, regardless of what has
transpired in the past year, if we work together, motivated
only by a common desire to serve, we can make great progress.
I feel certain we can find common ground upon which to work."
On April 24, 1964 Kowal held a temporary office in
School 44. This was the first of several, created to enable
the people who couldn't come to City Hall
to ask the Mayor and all his department heads anything they
wanted. Forty residents attended this first meeting which
Kowal described as "a modest but successful beginning."
Mayor Kowal
received some shocking news on June 15, 1965. He and former
Corporation Counsel Ralph Saft
were indicted by a holdover grand jury on charges of conspiracy
and taking unlawful fees in connection with the city's refuse
disposal arrangements. Kowal was also charged with first
degree perjury, making a total of six felony
and seven misdemeanor charges.
Late that night he issued a statement to the press:
"I have always considered the office of the
District Attorney as one which acts free from political
motives.
"My faith was completely shaken by the purely
political indictments
which were handed down by the November grand jury
under the direction of Dist. Atty. (Michael F.) Dillon.
Knowing that he is subject to certain defeat in November,
the district attorney has desperately sought to conduct
a publicity-oriented circus at the expense of the grand
jury and the taxpayers of Erie County.
"My attorney has instructed me not to discuss
the facts involved in this matter, but I can state, without
the slightest hesitation, that a full disclosure of the
facts will reveal the ridiculous extent to which the district
attorney will go to further his personal, political ambitions.
"I shall continue to serve as Mayor of the City
of Buffalo
and carry out the duties and responsibilities of that office."
The grand jury began investigating in November 1964
after the Courier-Express linked city officials, and a
private contract to a private dump at 4800 River
Road, Town of Tonawanda.
The private contract called for the closing of the
city's Squaw Island
dump, which occurred in June, 1964.
Saft's son-in-law was part owner of the company which
purchased the private dump. Shortly after the disclosures
in the Courier-Express, Saft resigned as corporation counsel.
One of the charges stated, they tried to prevent
competitive bidding on a city contract and did "willfully,
unlawfully, knowingly and with intent to defraud, attempt
to make and enter into with each other and with Joseph Liptak,
Samuel L. Meilman and Clinton Swingle a contract...to submit
a fraudulent and collusive bid, and to refrain from submitting
a bona fide competitive bid to...the City of Buffalo
, in connection with the refuse disposal of said city."
Edward F. Oakley, one of the participants in the
dump negotiations, had discussed with Mayor Kowal
, the city's dump problem and was referred to Corporation
Counsel Saft.
Clinton Swingle prepared a letter to Kowal requesting
permission to survey the city's refuse-disposal problem.
In turn, Kowal instructed Saft to assist with the survey
in any way possible. This is the gist of the indictment,
which in no way shows Kowal committing any illegal activities,
but it does appear that Saft was involved. And his resignation
after it became public knowledge further points the guilt
his way. Kowal plead innocent to the charges and pressed
for a speedy trial, most likely to prove his innocence before
the general election.
The private contract called for the closing of the
city's Squaw Island
dump, which occurred in June, 1964.
Late on the evening of June 16, 1965, Kowal was found
unconscious in his private office. The immediate explanation
was fatigue and possibly improper dosage of a medication.
He spent five days in the hospital. Kowal was troubled throughout
his term with various surgeries, and several injury-related
auto accidents. It is believed he was never very well. He
fractured his right hand in August 1964 and wore a cast
continuously for nearly a year.
The Courier-Express delivered an editorial two days
after he was found unconscious, regarding the "city
ills." "The repetition of the city's embarrassment,
whether or not anything was proved against the accused,
can lead to only the one-diagnosis: A city is politically
sick when again and again its officials who had support
of supposedly reputable institutions and individuals and
who gained a plurality of votes at the elections wind up
as defendants in criminal cases involving official acts."
On Tuesday, June 22, 1965 the Mayor delivered a solemn
statement to GOP County Chairman Thomas W. Ryan
: he was withdrawing from a mayoral re-election bid.
"For nearly 40 years I have enjoyed the privilege
of being in the service of the citizens of Buffalo
I am proud of the fact that I worked my way up through the
Parks Department
to the elective office of comptroller. After three terms as
comptroller, I was elected to the city's highest office.
"Throughout these years, I have endeavored to
direct my every thought and action towards the service of
the best interests of my city which I love dearly. Never
have I sub-served the interests of Buffalo
to the interests of myself or any individual or group of individuals.
"Politics is a strange business. While politics
and politicians form the foundation and working machinery
of our society, those who enter its realm subject themselves
at once to vicious attacks from ruthless individuals and
special interest groups which, while sometimes bearing the
facade of civic mindedness, are in fact dedicated to their
own self-seeking designs. I have experienced these attacks
to the extent that my body is capable. I have absorbed the
punches.
"Last week, as you know, I was maliciously accused
of improper conduct. On their faces, these accusations are
ridiculous.
"It is alarming to me, however, that a basic
part of our system of law and justice has been used as a
political weapon aimed at my good name and reputation. I
can assure you without hesitation that these spurious charges
will be proven false.
"The faith that I have lost in the present politically
inspired office of the district attorney has been transformed
into a deeper faith in God. It is with His support and under
His banner that I will vigorously fight to clear myself
of the malicious charges that have been brought against
me.
"Under the circumstances, I am not a candidate
for mayor. I look to you to select the strongest candidate
possible to succeed me on Jan. 1."
Mayor Kowal
's troubles did not end once his campaign ended. On Friday,
July 9, 1965 an anonymous caller told police
he had placed a bomb in the home of Buffalo
's "First Family." After a thorough search, no
bomb was found. He attributed the hoax to "a politically
inspired crackpot."
Then, on Thursday, July 15, 1965, Kowal returned
from work to find his house had been burglarized. "I
have to rearrange every room in the house," he told
reporters.
On Wednesday August 18, 1965 Kowal's lawyer, Frank
R. Bayger, served notice that he planned to seek a court
order "to determine whether there are any facts justifying
this shotgun indictment.
"The language used in the indictment is vague,
indefinite and inconclusive and there are no specific factual
allegations stated."
On September 24, a motion was dismissed that had
requested a dismissal of the indictments because Kowal had
not been given a speedy trial.
Mayor Kowal
gathered his top administration people on December 29, 1965
for one last meeting. He asked each to recite their accomplishments
during his administration.
Police Commissioner William H. Schneider thanked
the Mayor. "You gave me no interference whatsoever.
You allowed me to take politics out of the Police Department."
In addition, the self-computing traffic system on
Main Street, the first of its kind in the world, and avoidance
of the violence that struck Los Angeles, was credited to
him.
Mayor Kowal
delivered a final Progress report of his administration on December
31, 1965. Much of the material was most likely gathered
at the final cabinet meeting several days before. It was
read by the Common Council
at their first meeting of 1966, on January 11.
"As we stand on the threshold of 1966, we are
mindful of the fact that during the year now drawing to
a close our horizons have been darkened by the clouds of
the war in Viet Nam with its ominous undertones of Communistic
threats to our way of life.
"However, the function of Government, whether
on the local, county, state or federal level goes on. And
in that vein, it is my happy privilege and honor to report
to the members of your Honorable Body and my fellow-citizens
of Buffalo
regarding the accomplishments of my four-year administration.
"A larger percentage of the cost of local government
was borne by the state, especially education, thus removing
some of the financial burden from Buffalo
tax payers.
"Under the Kowal administration the Division
of Planning developed the city's first truly comprehensive
Master Plan. The Master Plan marks a significant step in
the city's future development. It offers guide lines for
all development and change by both private and public means.
The basic purpose of the plan is to achieve a desirable
physical environment for the citizens of Buffalo
It is necessarily long-range and tempered by new economic,
social and political developments. Up to this point in history,
the city has had no such comprehensive document to assist
the decision-makers in local government.
"Major activities and accomplishments (of the
Board of Safety) have
centered upon the expressway system within the city
of Buffalo
..better parking meter program, establishment of snow emergency
streets and the Main Street computer system the first of
its kind in the world.
"A major improvement (in Vital Statistics) is
the installation of two Zerox (sic) machines which has greatly
improved the processing of birth and death certificates.
"The Fire Department
's Arson Squad was established, now known as the Bureau
of Fire Investigation.
"A substantial salary increase was obtained
for our firefighters, marking the largest pay increase in
the history of the Department. The Fireboat was docked for
improvements and repairs. Construction of a new fire station
at Abbott and Hollywood was started, marking the first increase
in fire protection in South Buffalo
in over 50 years. This station is now in operation.
"The present budget provides for a reduction
in the tax rate of 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
The reduction may appear insignificant but a 12-year study
of tax rates beginning in 1954 - 1955...proves otherwise.
"1954 - 1955
- $32.31...1965
- 1966 -
$48.35
"Total 4-year increase - $3.80...Total 12-year
increase - $19.08.
"Under construction at South Park
is a new greenhouse located in the rear of the present Conservatory
with connecting underground passageway.
"There have been no racial disturbances of any
consequence in the past three years.
"The Office of Special Intelligence was created.
The OSI unit coordinates the functions of the Bureau of
Narcotics, Intelligence, Vice, Liquor, Gambling and Subversive
Activities. In the past year, the OSI has made more gambling,
vice and narcotics arrests than any previous year in the
history of the Police Department.
"A new and modern switchboard was installed
in Police Headquarters in the Communication Division. This
switchboard is of the most modern design and replaces a
telephone switchboard that had been in use for 28 years.
"For many years the people of South Buffalo
have been plagued each winter and spring with the fear of disastrous
floods.
"For the first time in the long history of these
catastrophes our administration has taken positive action
to control these occurrences.
"The 2-way mobile radio system in our snow-fighting
equipment is considered so progressive and efficient that
other communities are considering similar installations.
"Most noteworthy is the fact that not once under
this administration were the schools closed because of snow
accumulation.
"The Dog Pound
is in the process of being relocated from its present location
in the Water Front Redevelopment area to its new location
on 1250 Niagara.
"Thruway
Industrial Park
Pilot Project
"This 'do-it-yourself' project, authorized by
Common Council
action...is now well under-way without federal or state financial
assistance. This project of some acres is designed to modernize
a worn-out tract of industrial land. About 90% of the structural
demolition has been completed and all of the abandoned streets
have been removed or are under contract for removal. (This
industrial park is located on William Street on the East
Side where the main
Post Office currently stands. The buildings that
had to be demolished were all part of the old stockyards
)
"Oak Street Redevelopment Project
"This project is the first action phase to carry
out the federally approved, over-all Masten General Neighborhood
Renewal Plan. This 145 acre project is being coordinated
in conjunction with the elaborate expansion plans for the
Roswell Park Memorial Research Institute and the Buffalo
General Hospital
and will upgrade a blighted and long-neglected area.
"Central Business District
"Private initiative, encouraged and supported
by action on the part of the city and county governments,
has opened the way for one of the most dramatic ventures
in the long awaited renewal of the central core of our city.
This approved plan provides for the erection of an ultra-modern,
enclosed and completely air-conditioned shopping mall-office
building complex. Also included in the plan is the extension
of Church Street eastward across Main Street.
"I feel that during
the past four years we have made definite strides forward
in improving the city's financial and physical structure
and through our joint efforts have helped establish the
media for greatly improved future prospects for Buffalo
"It is a source of deep gratification for me
to have been privileged to serve with you in achieving our
common goal - making our beloved city a better place to
live and work in.
"Please accept my sincerest thanks for a job
well done and for all the cooperation you have extended
me, and my best wishes to each and every member of the outgoing
Common Council
and the incoming Council for a healthy, happy and prosperous
New Year."
PERSONAL
LIFE
Chester Kowal
married Stephanie Adamski and they had two children. They lived
at 60 North Parade Avenue.
Following his exit from office he spent several months
"getting my personal affairs in shape." He was
not sure what he was going to do.
On March 25, 1966, Kowal attacked his critics once
again. He was forced to defend four members of his family
that worked for the city.
"This is as low as anything I can think of.
"Just how do I stop people from taking a (Civil
Service
) exam?"
His brother Walter began work for the city 10 years
before he became mayor; his brother-in-law got a job through
the State Employment Service, and his sister had a temporary
job as junior accountant in the Division of Accounting.
When he got to his niece, he was particularly upset.
"She's helping pay her way through college and it's
a dirty shame to drag a kid's name into this - it's stooping
pretty low."
Kowal was active in many social and fraternal organizations,
including the Buffalo
Trap & Field Club, Knights of Columbus, past national director
of the Polish Union of America, Polish Alliance, the Moose,
the Competitive Civil Service
Employees Association, Villa Maria Aid Association, Buffalo
Area Boy Scouts of America, Local Garment Works of America Local
20, Elks No. 23, former director Greater Buffalo
Advertising Club
, and male Choir of Bavaria.
He was past commander Erie County American Legion,
past commander Adam Plewacki Post #799, former director
of U.S. Conference of Mayors
, a member of the Veterans of Foreign wars, Amvets, and
Disabled American Veterans.
On September 28, 1966 Kowal died in his sleep. The
apparent cause was heart failure due to heart disease, from
which he had suffered for several years.
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