AN MCBA PUBLICATION
FOURTH QUARTER 2016 VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4
FOURTH QUARTER 2016 VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4
NEWS BRIEFS & UPDATES President’s Message.........................................................................3 Trustees & Officers..........................................................................4 Young Lawyers Division.................................................................5 Members in the News.....................................................................6 Foundation Footnotes....................................................................7 Contributions Across the County..................................................8 Member Updates...........................................................................10 Bench Bar 2016.............................................................................12
Cover Photo: 2016 President congratulates new MCBA member Danial White following the December 2 Swearing In Ceremony
1st Quarter Calendar & Event Invites..........................................14
Monroe County Bar Association
PBI Schedule.................................................................................17
913 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 www.monroebar.org info2@monroebar.org 570.424.7288
Swearing in Ceremony..................................................................18 Holiday Open House Celebration...............................................20
Mission Statement The mission of the Monroe County Bar Association is to maintain the honor and dignity of the profession of the law, to cultivate social interaction among its members and to increase its usefulness in promoting the due administration of justice.
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President’s
Message
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s I write this, my last newsletter as President of the Bar Association, I took a few moments to reflect upon the past year, which has gone by far too quickly (as each succeeding year seems to do).
both the Commonwealth Court and the Superior Court, completing the appellate court trifecta. It was a great pleasure to hear the kind words the judges offered about our Conference and the Bar.
In 2015, we celebrated our centennial as a Bar Association. It was a year full of celebration and reflection. Using last year as a springboard, we have continued to work on the goals set forth in our strategic plan. We have accomplished a number of the goals, including the adoption of a grant policy to formalize and support our charitable giving; formation of a Historical Preservation Committee so as to not lose all of the hard work that went into publishing our Centennial book; and developing leadership within the MCBA, especially among our younger members. We are pleased that 3 of our 8 Executive Board members are from our Young Lawyers Division and we have a very active group of young lawyers in the leadership pipeline. We continue to actively work on other goals identified in our strategic plan, including enhancing the role of the Bar Association in the community, supporting charitable giving and supporting the bench in connection with the courthouse expansion efforts.
One of things of which I think we should be most proud in 2016 is our charitable giving. Through the Bar Foundation, this year we awarded approximately $100,000 in grants to worthy charities serving our community. Among this year’s recipients are Pocono Services for Families and Children, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Pocono Alliance, Monroe County Historical Association, Women’s Resources of Monroe County, Valor Clinic Foundation and Monroe County Special Olympics. In addition to these donations, earlier this year the Bar Association made its final $30,000 payment to fulfill our 5-year $150,000 pledge to Pocono Health System’s Hughes Cancer Center.
Thanks to the efforts of President Judge Worthington and Tim McManus, we once again had an excellent Bench Bar Conference, with two Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices joining us for the day. We were also pleased to welcome judges from
The Association also recently committed to provide $80,000 in financial support to North Penn Legal Services for another year. Without this support, North Penn would not be able to provide the services it does to some of the most needy members of the community. Our Find A Lawyer program continues to thrive, receiving nearly 4,000 calls this year from people looking to retain the services of an attorney. We also launched our Modest Means Program, which is designed to provide access to legal services
to a segment of our community that is not eligible for the existing legal aid system and is often unable to afford lawyers at regular rates. The Modest Means Program will enable qualified persons to obtain discounted, not free, legal services from our participating members. We were also pleased to have such a nice turnout for the Holiday Party at the Bar Association building. It was a fun time of fellowship and a good reminder of the bonds we share as lawyers and members of this community. As I sign off, I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to Denise, Ashley and Marsha our dedicated Bar Association staff. Without their tireless (and oft times thankless) work, we would not be able to do even a fraction of what we do. Finally, a special thanks to those Bar members who give of their time to assist in all the work and programs of the Association, from serving on committees to helping make our events a reality. I ask that you continue to participate in meaningful ways to making the practice of law better in Monroe County and to improving the community in which we work and live. It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as President and I look forward to the good work this Association will continue to do under the leadership of Tim McManus in 2017. Happy Holidays and all best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Jeffrey A. Durney, Esquire President, MCBA
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Monroe County Bar Foundation 2016 Board of Trustees William J. Reaser, Jr. Esq. Chairman
Thomas V. Casale, Esq. Vice Chairman
Thomas F. Dirvonas, Esq. Trustee
Diane L. Dagger, Esq. Treasurer
Victoria A. Strunk, Esq. Secretary
Lara Kash, Esq. Trustee
Matthew Field Trustee
Denise Murray Trustee
Monroe County Bar Association 2016 Officers and Directors Jeffrey A. Durney President
Timothy J. McManus Vice President
Mark A. Primrose Secretary
Elizabeth Bensinger Weekes Treasurer
Brian C. Jordan Member at Large
Renee Danser Member at Large
Elizabeth Field
Member at Large/YLD President
Todd Weitzmann
Immediate Past President
Monroe County Bar Association 2016 Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Officers Elizabeth A. Field President
Dave Marra Vice President
Don Gual Treasurer
Caitlin Humphreys Secretary
Hillary Madden Member at Large
Casey Schweppenheiser Member at Large
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elping those less fortunate is something the members of the MCBA YLD takes seriously. In November a group of dedicated volunteers were at St. Luke’s in Stroudsburg to serve those less fortunate a hot meal and a little friendship. Thank you to YLD members Liz Field, Casey Schweppenheiser, Shamira Cooper, Renee Danser, Caitlin Humphreys, Dave Marra and Renee’s sis-
ter-in-law, Melissa Danser, for using their excellent food service skills! A special thank you goes to Attorney Bill Cramer and Attorney Geoff Worthington for joining us for our monthly mentor lunches this quarter. Thank you as well for the MCBA Board supporting these regular lunches financially.
The election of our officers and board was held at our October meeting. We are pleased to announce the following members will be leading the way in 2017: David Marra, President Caitlin Humphreys, Vice President Don Gual, Secretary Casey Schweppenheiser, Treasurer Elizabeth Field, Member at Large Hillary Madden, Member at Large
The YLD appreciates the continued support of the MCBA and we look forward to another successful year in 2017. MCBA pagefive
in the
Attorney David Marra promoted to Captain in Pennsylvania Army National Guard Attorney David Marra has been promoted to the rank of Captain in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in the 2nd Squadron, 104th Calvary Regiment. Attorney Marra is an Assistant District Attorney in the Office of the District Attorney, Monroe County. As an active with the Monroe County Bar Association, Dave will be the 2017 Young Lawyers Division President and a Member at Large and YLD President on the MCBA Board of Directors. Congratulations and thank you for your service Dave!
the supreme court appoints attorney lori j. cerato to 2nd three year term Attorney Lori J. Cerato has been appointed by the Supreme Court to a second three-year term on the Orphan’s Court Procedural Rules Committee. Cerato will serve from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019
Congratulations Lori!
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Monroe County Bar
foundation I
n the MCBA newsletter last quarter the MCB Foundation listed many of the organizations and individuals who received financial support through scholarships, donations, sponsorships and grants which totaled over $105,000 in 2016. We hope you are proud of both the Monroe County Bar Association and the Monroe County Bar Foundation for the commitment to our community. MCBF and MBCA provide funding to organizations within our county that provide services to those that truly need them. Services like early childhood eye screening, special safety equipment for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities, and funding agencies who provide food and housing assistance to those in need. We hope that as members of our Association, you will remember the MCBF when you are making your 2017 MCBA dues payment. Your money goes specifically to scholarships, donations and sponsorships to organizations with specific needs not covered under the grant guidelines. This is where your support is needed. So, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I thank you in advance for remembering MCBF! I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Denise Murray from PNC Bank for servicing on our Board for the past several years. We appreciate her time and input and wish her well as she leaves MCBF Thank you all. Happy Holidays and may 2017 bring happiness, health and success to you all.
William J. Reaser, Jr. Esq.
2016 Monroe County Bar Foundation Chair
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Monroe County Bar Foundation (MCBF) illustrated an
ongoing dedication toward giving back to Monroe County November 7 donating close to $110,000 to nonprofits from across the region. While Pocono Alliance, Pocono Family YMCA, Developmental Education Services of Monroe County, Women’s Resources of Monroe County, Monroe County Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, The Valor Clinic Foundation, Monroe County Historical Association, Monroe County Habit for Humanity, Monroe County Meals on Wheels, Center for Vision Loss Monroe County and Pocono Services for Families and Children Monroe County Head Start program share a common thread as this year’s recipients; it’s the intentions for use of funds that calls for
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attention–Monroe County youth. With Pocono Alliance President Linda Rice telling of the organization’s plans to “Reach more children” with early childhood screenings, she thanked MCBF for its generosity and “privilege” being selected. Anna Underwood said Monroe County Historical Association’s purchase of a microfilm machine will open doors to educational opportunities for the young and young at heart. Monroe County Head Start Executive Director Tim Lee of Pocono Services for Families and Children shared the five year commitment by MCBF totaling $50,000 was made even before the early childhood development nonprofit acquired its new location in Tobyhanna.
county across the
“It was their [MCBF] trust in the project that provided significant leverage and kicked off other support,” he explained, adding, “It showed their [MCBF] commitment to this community.”
MCBF Chair William Reaser, reasoned, “As the giving arm of the Monroe County Bar Association the foundation tries to do as much as we can for the citizens of Monroe County.”
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Welcome Alexis Berg-Townsend
Cohen, Feeley, Altemose and Rambo 352 5th Street, Suite C Whitehall PA 18052 610.435.1029 610.740.9955 Fax aberg@cohenfeeley.com www.cohenfeeley.com
Attorney Berg-Townsend focuses on representing the injured worker and their families in their claim for workers’ compensation benefits. She also assists the disabled individual who has been denied Social Security Disability Benefits and Social Security Supplemental Income. Alexis is a Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist as permitted by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, of which only 1 out 200 attorneys earn this certification. A strong belief in community service, Attorney Berg-Townsend volunteers at many local non-profit agencies where feeding the homeless at the local church soup kitchen and working with the Lehigh County Conference of Churches to prevent homelessness is their mission. She also is a board member for Kyle Miller, Inc. and Zephyr Foundation. The commitment to her craft and the community has led to Attorney Berg-Townsend being selected as a Super Lawyer Rising Star for the past three years. Alexis earned her undergraduate degree from Tiffin University majoring in Criminal Justice / Forensic Psychology, and her J.D. from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law in Ada, Ohio. She is a member of the PBA, Lehigh County Bar Association, Worker’s Compensation Committee of Lehigh County and the Social Security Disability Committee of Lehigh County.
James Fuller
Office of the Public Defender 610 Monroe Street, Ste 21 Stroudsburg PA 18360 570.517.3042 570.517.3871 Fax jfuller@monroecountypa.gov Attorney James Fuller joined the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office in August of this year. After earning is undergraduate degree in Political Science form Penn State University in 2006, James worked for KidsPeace for several years. Attorney Fuller continued his goal to practice law and went on to earn his law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. James and Krista, his wife of six years, have two sons, Carson who is five and Nolan who is two. In addition to coaching Carson’s flag football team and t-ball, James plays on the local baseball team in the summers and runs in both Tough Mudders and Spartan Races.
Briana Gaumer
MHK Attorneys, LLP 2642 Route 940 Pocono Summit PA 18346 570.839.8050 570.839.6723 Fax bmgaumer@mhkattorneys.com Attorney Briana Gaumer recently joined MHK Attorneys. She is a 2015 graduate of Widener University School of Law and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Religion from Lehigh University. Throughout her time at Widener, Briana worked as a Certified Legal Intern for Weidner’s Civil Law Clinic, at the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, Lehigh University’s Office of General Counsel and for the Superior Court of California. In 2015 Briana received the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Eric D. Turner Award and the Widener University School of Law Outstanding Service Award.
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Rachael Litchman
Monroe County Court of Common Pleas 43rd Judicial District 610 Monroe Street, Suite 221 Stroudsburg PA 18360 570.517.3939 ralitchman@monroepacourts.us Rachael Litchman, Law Clerk for the Honorable Arthur L Zulick, is a recent graduate from the Temple University Beasley School of Law. While attending law school, Rachael was an active member of the Business Law Society and the Women’s Law Caucus. During her time at Bucknell University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science, Ms. Litchman was active with Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, volunteered as a board member for Bucknell’s Relay for Life Event, was a member of the women’s club soccer team and volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Danville. She enjoys traveling, cooking and SCUBA diving. Rachael plans to focus on business and real estate law eventually expanding into other areas of practice that align with her personal and business interests.
Carl (Tobey) Oxholm III Just Resolutions NEPa 1 Watawga Way West Gouldsboro PA 18424 215.783.2329 tobeyoxholm@gmail.com
Attorney Tobey Oxholm joins MCBA providing impartial fact-finding, mediation, and arbitration services in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He brings over three decades of experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in business, partnership, real estate, employment, tax, franchise, insurance and other contract disputes, twenty-five years as a mediator, arbitrator and judge pro tempore for federal and state courts, and fifteen years as a university leader. His current legal practice is limited to helping low-income clients pro bono in seeking to expunge their criminal records. Graduating Harvard Law School (JD) and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government (MPP) in 1979, he began his practice in what was then Philadelphia’s largest law firm (Dechert LLP) which he balanced with extensive volunteer work for Community Legal Services. Five years later he joined the Philadelphia Law Department, where he rose to the level of Chief Deputy City Solicitor before resuming private practice in a 40-lawyer firm that later came to bear his name. When that firm was acquired, he spent two more years in a major regional law firm (Fox Rothschild LLP) before becoming General Counsel of Drexel University. In the meantime, he became a leader of the Philadelphia Bar Association, served for eight years on the Pennsylvania IOLTA Board, and helped create three pro bono law firms which have all since won national awards, as did he: the ABA’s Pro Bono Public Award. He ceased the active practice of law in 2007 when he became Executive Vice President of Drexel University, and began a decade-long career as an entrepreneurial leader in that and two other Philadelphia-area universities, retiring to his home in Gouldsboro this past summer. His ADR resume is extensive, and can be found on his website. Because of his leadership of many diversity efforts over many years, including writing the Philadelphia Bar Association’s diversity plan and co-founding the Philadelphia Law Diversity Group over a decade ago, he has been appointed to help the MCBA achieve greater diversity within our ranks. He is a member of the Monroe, Pike and Wayne County Bar Associations, secretary of the Lakeview Estates Homeowners’ Association, and a member of the executive committee of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia.
to our
New Members MCBA pageeleven
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conference Monroe County Bar Association
held its 20th Annual Monroe County Bench Bar Conference September 30 at Northampton Community College Monroe Campus. Members of the Stroudsburg based organization joined Pennsylvania Bar Association, alongside Superior and Court of Common Pleas Judges to share knowledge and networking for the overall advancement of legal professionals across the region. Created as a means of keeping up to date on information and what’s going on in each organization, the gathering also illustrated obligations and administration beyond the bench. 43rd Judicial District Court of Common Pleas President Judge Margherita Patti-Worthington, explained, “The goal is to collaborate to make sure justice is served.”
A strong advocate for educational and operational advancement in her fifth year as President Judge, she agrees this type of interaction offers an opportunity for, “A better understanding of pressures” faced by both sides of the bench.
Announcing a pivotal point in progress,“Monroe County is the first county in Pennsylvania to use PACFiling for Criminal cases [at the Common Pleas level],” Prothonotary Clerk of Courts for Monroe County, George Warden joined by Senior Deputy Monroe County Court of Clerks Lasea Koidl illustrated the online paperless procedure for attorneys. Plenary Session presenter, Superior Court Judge Victor P. Stabile mixed a captivating cross practice session, “Potpourri [of] recent cases of interest.”
“There’s a reason they call it a practice of law,” he later explained applauding the “valuable” event’s purpose. Monroe County Bar Association President, Jeffrey A. Durney commented, “It [Monroe County Bench Bar Conference] reflects well upon us [as a bar association].” Satisfied with another successful selection of subjects by MCBA’s Bench Bar Committee he joined colleagues for continued collaboration later sharing the “State of the Bar” along with PBA President Elect Sharon Lopez discussing the “State of the Pennsylvania Bar Association”, followed by “State of the Bench” by Judge Worthington then Judges’ Round Table panel discussion.
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JANUARY 17 Januar y 26, 20rn Lunch & Lea Administration Rules New Judicial
FEBRUARY 17 Februar y 10, 20 rn ea L & Lunch rders Child CustodyerOap eutic Reunification Benefits of Th
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lo stmas Eve, C • Dec. 23, Chri Day, Dec. 26 s a tm s ri h C d pm • Close Eve, Closes 1 s r’ a e Y w e N • Dec. 30, Year’s, Jan. 2 • Closed New 20 • Closed Feb.
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rad ick’s Day Pa tr a P t. S 9 1 March at MCBA n Pigs Game r’s Day June 18 - Iro n Fathe thers’s o
Celebrate Fa
MONROE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION LUNCH AND LEARN PRESENTS:
New Judicial Administration Rules Local Rules: Pa.R.J.A. 4000 et. seq. Monroe County Rule and Form Changes Effective January 1, 2017 Posted on Courthouse Site
http://www.monroepacourts.us/CourtAdministration/Documents/RulesofJudicialAdministration.pdf http://www.monroepacourts.us/CourtAdministration/Pages/Forms.aspx Presented by:
President Judge Margherita Patti-Worthington Renee Danser, Esq.
Thursday, January 26, 2017 11:30 Lunch 12:00 – 1:00 pm CLE
Members: $30.00 YLD Members: $25.00 Non-Member Cost: $35.00 In accordance to the Event Payment Policy: If you reserve a seat and do not attend you will be charged for the full amount of the CLE, $30.00 ALL RSVP’S VIA PHONE, EMAIL OR WEBSITE WILL BE INVOICED Monroe County Bar Association 913 Main Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360
**Everyone present for entire seminar will receive 1 Substantive CLE credit**
Please return this portion along with payment to MCBA by January 19, 2017
New Judicial Administration Rules - Local Rules: Pa.R.J.A. 4000 et. seq. Thursday, January 26, 2017
In accordance to the Event Payment Policy: If you reserve a seat and do not attend you will be charge for the full amount of the CLE
Name: Telephone: Email: *If you have special dietary requirements, please contact a staff member of the MCBA*
MONROE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION LUNCH AND LEARN PRESENTS:
Child Custody Orders The Benefits of TherapeuDc ReunificaDon Presented by:
Lori Lynn LPC CSW NBCC MA ACS Executive Director, Peaceful Healing LLC Licensed Professional Counselor Ms. Lynn provides in home stabilization services to utilizing a crisis model to a high risk population of children and adolescents. She also works collaboratively with government agencies, and law enforcement
Friday, February 10, 2017 11:30 Lunch 12:00 – 1:00 pm CLE Members: $30.00 YLD Members: $25.00 Non-Member Cost: $35.00
In accordance to the Event Payment Policy: If you reserve a seat and do not a7end you will be charged for the full amount of the CLE, $30.00 ALL RSVP’S VIA PHONE, EMAIL OR WEBSITE WILL BE INVOICED
Monroe County Bar AssociaDon 913 Main Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 **Everyone present for enDre seminar will receive 1 SubstanDve CLE credit**
Please return this por/on along with payment to MCBA by February 3, 2017
Child Custody Orders – The Benefits of TherapeuDc ReunificaDon Friday, February 10, 2017 In accordance to the Event Payment Policy: If you reserve a seat and do not a7end you will be charge for the full amount of the CLE
Name: Telephone: Email: *If you have special dietary requirements, please contact a staff member of the MCBA*
Upcoming PBI Schedule at the MCBA Bar Center Live-feed Group-casts & Video Replays For more details or to register for any PBI seminar, go to www.pbi.org or call 800.932.4637 Courses are subject to cancellation by PBI if a minimum number of attendees do not pre-register.
PBI: The Law of Guns in Pennsylvania – Video 01/05/2017 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PBI: Lies In Business and Under Oath: Discerning and Proving When Someone is Lying-Video 01/11/2017 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PBI: Advising Municipal Clients on the Pension Crisis-Video 01/31/2017 9:00 AM – 12:15 PM PBI: False Claims Act-Video 02/07/2017 9:00 AM – 12:15 PM PBI: Powerful Witness PreparaQon-Video 2/09/2017 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PBI: Alcohol Law-Groupcast 02/21/2017 8:30 AM – 12:45 PM PBI: 18th Annual Estate & Elder Law Symposium-Groupcast 02/22/2017 9:00 AM – 4:10 PM PBI: Estate Planning: Beyond the Basics-Groupcast 03/02/2017 9:00 AM – 4:15 PM PBI: Using & Abusing the ResidenQal Agreement of Sale-Groupcast 03/16/2017 12:00 PM – 3:15 PM PBI: 30th Annual Civil LiQgaQon Update-Groupcast 03/22/2017 9:00 AM – 4:15 PM PBI: The Law of Arrest Search and Seizure in Pennsylvania-Groupcast 03/29/2017 12:00 PM – 4:15 PM
Please go to the MCBA calendar to confirm seminar. www.monroebar.org
Swearing in Cere Andrea DiDio
Daniel White
Briana Guaman
William Reaser
Jane Maughan
Connie Merwine
with Sponsor
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with Sponsor
with Sponsor
Don G
with Sp
Todd Wei
“I’ d challenge the members of the bar assembled here to of fer the new admittees your wisdom and guidance much as that was of fered to us in days gone by.” - Jeffrey Durney
2016 MCBA President
emony December 2
Gual
ponsor
itzmann
Alexander Marek
James Fuller
Catherine Pirolli
Geoff Worthington
Chandra Bleice
Matthew Bernal
with Sponsor
with Sponsor
with Sponsor
MCBA pagenineteen
Holid
OPEN HOUSE
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day December 2
Sharing a Holiday Celebration Surrounded by Family Friends
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(From LtoR) 1. Joel, Hillary & Bronte Madden 2. James & Krista Fuller 3. The Di Dido Family with the Honorable Margherita Patti Worthington & Andrea Di Dio 4. Shamira Cooper, Ryan Campbell, Don Gual, Briana Gaumer & Caitlin Humphreys 5. Sawyer & Mackenzie Coyne Children of Attorney Megan Reaser & Brian Coyne 6. Tim McManus & Bill Reaser 7. Jeff & Jackie Durney MCBA pagetwenty-one
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