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Hamilton School District's kitchen director Schlatter makes plea for jobs
By Diane Vance/Gate City Staff Writer
HAMILTON, Ill. - More than 25 people attended Wednesday's Hamilton School Board meeting in support of the district's meal service staff.
In the past few months, Superintendent Dr. Jim Jackson has discussed working with Aramark to outsource the district's meals program.
Mary Jo Schlatter, director of Hamilton's food service program, addressed the board and administrators Wednesday. She was applauded by the audience at the conclusion of her presentation.
“I'm here to voice the concerns of myself and the community,” she said. “If the driving force to look at outsourcing is money, I agree we can look at our costs.
“The $85,000 spent in a year is combined salaries of eight employees. I've investigated Aramark's program and they pay minimum wage with no benefits. That is not acceptable.
“Most of the kitchen staff attended Hamilton schools, have children or grandchildren that have or are attending Hamilton schools. While I understand you cannot consider individual employees in making budgets, most of us live here, we own homes, pay taxes to the school district and we help support school activities and fund-raisers.
“We allow boosters and activity groups to use the kitchen. We provide meals for many outside (of school days) events. We fix breakfast for teachers on institute days. We fix dinner for the teachers on parent/teacher conference days. We provide snacks to students. Our staff knows the children by name.
“I was under the impression from the previous two superintendents that the lunch program is a non-profit program,” said Schlatter.
“We have cut the salad bar from the program. That saves $6,500 a year in food costs. It doesn't include the money saved in labor costs to prepare salad bar foods. The board decided to eliminate high school breakfast this year and an employee quit this summer and will not be replaced, putting us down to seven employees. Those two things will cut costs.
“I'm not here to make comments about Aramark,” said Schlatter. “I'm here to say please consider what we provide.”
Board President Doug Summers said her points are good points.
“We take this very seriously,” he said. “My personal thoughts are that the staff knows the students and provides valuable intangibles. We can't put a dollar figure on that.
“We'd be remiss not to investigate outsourcing. But it would have to save the district a large amount of money for me to be convinced to go that way. I know we get a lot of value from our own staff.”
Jackson said he had nothing new to report about Aramark.
Budget cuts
Last month the board approved the annual district budget for $5 million. The state deadline for school budgets was Sept. 30. At the Sept. 17 school board meeting, board member Mark Menn suggested a subcommittee of the board go over the budget with Jackson line by line and find places to cut expenses.
Wednesday, the seven board members agreed to line item cuts in the 2008-2009 budget that total $56,000, leaving a projected deficit of about $200,000. Menn and board member Jerod Leffler worked with Jackson on deciding which line items to cut to reduce the deficit.
The largest cut was $15,000 from technology supplies, leaving that line item with no money to spend. In the previous year, it had been budgeted at $12,000 and actually spent $8,630. Technology also was cut by $5,000 in its capital equipment budget, leaving $25,000; $10,604 was spent last year.
The next largest cut was $10,000 from the supplies budget in the district's maintenance department, leaving $80,000 to spend. Last year, the maintenance department spent $95,744 on supplies. Maintenance also lost $5,000 from its capital outlay budget, leaving $30,000 for the year. In the previous year, maintenance went over its capital outlay $52,000 budget by $2,536.
Overtime for the maintenance director had been budgeted at $5,000 and was cut by $3,000. There was no overtime money charged in last year's budget for the maintenance director.
A total of $5,000 was taken out of the high school textbooks budget, leaving $15,000 to spend. Last year, $36,580 was spent on high school textbooks.
Athletic uniforms also lost $5,000, leaving $15,000 for this year. Last year, $36,580 was spent.
Junior high textbooks' budget was cut by $3,000, leaving $5,000 for the year; $10,276 was spent last year.
The junior high and high school library supplies' budget is cut by $2,000, leaving $3,000 for the year; last year, $3,899 was spent in library supplies.
The elementary school and junior high supplies' budgets were each cut by $1,500; leaving $7,500 for the elementary and $2,000 at the junior high. The elementary spent $394 over its $10,000 supplies' budget last year. The junior high spent $3,405 in supplies last year.
In the past few months, Superintendent Dr. Jim Jackson has discussed working with Aramark to outsource the district's meals program.
Mary Jo Schlatter, director of Hamilton's food service program, addressed the board and administrators Wednesday. She was applauded by the audience at the conclusion of her presentation.
“I'm here to voice the concerns of myself and the community,” she said. “If the driving force to look at outsourcing is money, I agree we can look at our costs.
“The $85,000 spent in a year is combined salaries of eight employees. I've investigated Aramark's program and they pay minimum wage with no benefits. That is not acceptable.
“Most of the kitchen staff attended Hamilton schools, have children or grandchildren that have or are attending Hamilton schools. While I understand you cannot consider individual employees in making budgets, most of us live here, we own homes, pay taxes to the school district and we help support school activities and fund-raisers.
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“I was under the impression from the previous two superintendents that the lunch program is a non-profit program,” said Schlatter.
“We have cut the salad bar from the program. That saves $6,500 a year in food costs. It doesn't include the money saved in labor costs to prepare salad bar foods. The board decided to eliminate high school breakfast this year and an employee quit this summer and will not be replaced, putting us down to seven employees. Those two things will cut costs.
“I'm not here to make comments about Aramark,” said Schlatter. “I'm here to say please consider what we provide.”
Board President Doug Summers said her points are good points.
“We take this very seriously,” he said. “My personal thoughts are that the staff knows the students and provides valuable intangibles. We can't put a dollar figure on that.
“We'd be remiss not to investigate outsourcing. But it would have to save the district a large amount of money for me to be convinced to go that way. I know we get a lot of value from our own staff.”
Jackson said he had nothing new to report about Aramark.
Budget cuts
Last month the board approved the annual district budget for $5 million. The state deadline for school budgets was Sept. 30. At the Sept. 17 school board meeting, board member Mark Menn suggested a subcommittee of the board go over the budget with Jackson line by line and find places to cut expenses.
Wednesday, the seven board members agreed to line item cuts in the 2008-2009 budget that total $56,000, leaving a projected deficit of about $200,000. Menn and board member Jerod Leffler worked with Jackson on deciding which line items to cut to reduce the deficit.
The largest cut was $15,000 from technology supplies, leaving that line item with no money to spend. In the previous year, it had been budgeted at $12,000 and actually spent $8,630. Technology also was cut by $5,000 in its capital equipment budget, leaving $25,000; $10,604 was spent last year.
The next largest cut was $10,000 from the supplies budget in the district's maintenance department, leaving $80,000 to spend. Last year, the maintenance department spent $95,744 on supplies. Maintenance also lost $5,000 from its capital outlay budget, leaving $30,000 for the year. In the previous year, maintenance went over its capital outlay $52,000 budget by $2,536.
Overtime for the maintenance director had been budgeted at $5,000 and was cut by $3,000. There was no overtime money charged in last year's budget for the maintenance director.
A total of $5,000 was taken out of the high school textbooks budget, leaving $15,000 to spend. Last year, $36,580 was spent on high school textbooks.
Athletic uniforms also lost $5,000, leaving $15,000 for this year. Last year, $36,580 was spent.
Junior high textbooks' budget was cut by $3,000, leaving $5,000 for the year; $10,276 was spent last year.
The junior high and high school library supplies' budget is cut by $2,000, leaving $3,000 for the year; last year, $3,899 was spent in library supplies.
The elementary school and junior high supplies' budgets were each cut by $1,500; leaving $7,500 for the elementary and $2,000 at the junior high. The elementary spent $394 over its $10,000 supplies' budget last year. The junior high spent $3,405 in supplies last year.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of dailygate.com.
Go Team Schlatter wrote on Oct 28, 2008 4:06 PM:
" WE LOVE YOU Keep you chin up and a smile on your face;) We are behind you "
Stand up for your school wrote on Oct 25, 2008 8:10 AM:
" It's becoming more and more common to pick up the paper and read about another issue with the Hamilton school system. This one is just the latest in a line of debacles the administration and board had brought upon not only them selves, but the school and the community. I see a trend here people and as the community you are the only ones who can do anything about it. Someone is not doing their job and evidently is not looking out for their employees and students. It looks to me like they are all about themselves. The Hamilton adminisitration and school board has proven time and time again over the years that they do not want change and will do anything to keep it from happening. Do some digging talk to your friends and neighbors and those directly effected by their actions. It looks like a good house cleaning needs to take place and you as the community and tax payers are the ones who can get this done. Think about your kids future and what they have to deal with as they grow through school. I think Hamilton is a nice community with alot of potential. They just need to really look at those folks in the upper positions to see just how well they are doing their jobs and do something about it if they aren't doing what they were hired for. "
William Jefferson Clinton wrote on Oct 23, 2008 6:46 PM:
" Outscouring is just a way to do fiscally conservative business. Look how well NAFTA has worked under my former leadership. I do feel terribly for those who lose their jobs, but --- tough luck. Vote Democratic on November 4th.
Billy "
Billy "
hamilton parent wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:59 PM:
" I think that the Hamilton School district should keep the kitchen the way it is. I have looked Aramark up on the internet and it's not good. We need jobs in this area already with people losing jobs all around us. As for the comments about Steve and Mary Jo, shame on you! It's just like it always is with people. They don't know the whole story just something they see or are told. They don't know the whole story, but just the one side. The don't know the reason behind what they saw or heard and are quick to jump to conclusions. Steve and Mary Jo are good people and do a lot for this community and the school. In fact, Steve has gone down to the school on a Saturday to get some band equipment that my daughter left at school and had to have for the next day. He didn't have to do it he did it because that's the kind of person he is. You should comment on the problem at hand and not the people who spoke up to try and save the lunch program. "
TO Ridiculous--from HHS Alum wrote on Oct 22, 2008 6:28 PM:
" WOW!!! YOU SAID A MOUTHFUL! NICE JOB! THANK YOU! ;-)
FROM - I LOVE TEAM SCHLATTER "
FROM - I LOVE TEAM SCHLATTER "
Once again... wrote on Oct 22, 2008 5:13 PM:
" As was mentioned in another of these escapades, maybe one should be "following the money trail" as to Aramark. Or more to the point, JJ's bank account. All of these out of town entities doing business with the school when the same products and services could be purchased from local people. Surely there is more to this than readily meets the eye. Hey Hempen and Dowdall--you're the NO men. Tell him no on this. "
Ridiculous--from HHS Alum wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:08 PM:
" Ok, well, I know Aramark has done their share of "quoting" for services in schools around the state. often times, this will not happen. They can not make it any more cost effective to sign with their services, as it is for the services provided by the current staff. I am familiar with what Aramark typically quotes--and time and time again, they are turned away.
I will never forget Thelma's smile and "BUUURRRIITO" call! She was the best! My family has always been close with the Schlatter's and they are wonderful people, who have always committed themselves to this school, the education of the students, and the betterment of this community. They deserve metals and praise rather than ridicule and empty/false accusations. My best to you.
One thing that truly worries me: My sister said that she had a couple of my books! Now, I am not THAT old, but I graduated more than five years ago. The school spent $36,500 last year on books; The budget was set this year at $20,000 and now we have used that "scalpal" (a little presidential vocabulary for ya!) to cut $5000 to help east budget constraints. A suggestion I might suggest to the board: Let's take that "scalpal" and turn it into a HATCHET to cut from the ridiculously bloated salaries of the administrators (Jackson: +$108,000 ; Gilbert: +$75,000--a couple of the highest in the county), until they can product results. If they were my CEO, they would have been fired long ago--and not be seeing any raises.
One more thing; Let's swallow our pride, and concentrate on the real goal with an institution of education--LEARNING! Let's focus on providing opportunities to our children; let's focus on a more rounded education where those who might not be setting out on the "Four-Year College Education" path to explore and use the skills they have. Ignoring this is a critical misstep in the education and development of our future---Our Children. "
I will never forget Thelma's smile and "BUUURRRIITO" call! She was the best! My family has always been close with the Schlatter's and they are wonderful people, who have always committed themselves to this school, the education of the students, and the betterment of this community. They deserve metals and praise rather than ridicule and empty/false accusations. My best to you.
One thing that truly worries me: My sister said that she had a couple of my books! Now, I am not THAT old, but I graduated more than five years ago. The school spent $36,500 last year on books; The budget was set this year at $20,000 and now we have used that "scalpal" (a little presidential vocabulary for ya!) to cut $5000 to help east budget constraints. A suggestion I might suggest to the board: Let's take that "scalpal" and turn it into a HATCHET to cut from the ridiculously bloated salaries of the administrators (Jackson: +$108,000 ; Gilbert: +$75,000--a couple of the highest in the county), until they can product results. If they were my CEO, they would have been fired long ago--and not be seeing any raises.
One more thing; Let's swallow our pride, and concentrate on the real goal with an institution of education--LEARNING! Let's focus on providing opportunities to our children; let's focus on a more rounded education where those who might not be setting out on the "Four-Year College Education" path to explore and use the skills they have. Ignoring this is a critical misstep in the education and development of our future---Our Children. "
Dan wrote on Oct 22, 2008 9:29 AM:
" Back to the issues at hand. I missed this presentation by Mary Jo, so forgive if I ask things she covered. First, It seems to state that Aramark pays minimum wage. As a public entity, won't the school need to require that this business pays prevailing wages? Also, With a contract this large, doesn't the district need to do something regarding bids from other companies/providers?
I can think of about 100 different ways to reduce spending. this doesn't seem to be a well thought out option, but I'm willing to hear more. "
I can think of about 100 different ways to reduce spending. this doesn't seem to be a well thought out option, but I'm willing to hear more. "
Disappointed wrote on Oct 20, 2008 5:54 PM:
" I am getting very disapppointed with the comments being left. It appears to me that it is pretty much the same disgruntled people commenting on any and all articles they can (almost always negatively). Does anyone else feel like me that the opportunity that the DGC has given is not being used as intended and is doing much more harm than good? Furthermore, I would almost guarantee that very few that comment ever take action and address these topics head on but choose to gripe in this manner only. My vote is that this option should be removed from DGC online as it is contributing nothing to the community and helps spread misinformation and rumors. "
Lunch Lover wrote on Oct 20, 2008 1:45 PM:
" Hi, I'm an alum from HHS and I know those women did more for that school district than most teachers. They were always in a good mood helping you get through the rest of what could have been a restless day. Mary Jo and Steve are honest good working people that would give their left arm for any kid in or out of that district. I also wanna give a shout out to my favorite lunch lady..thelma..oh yea! "
Eric Nason wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:43 AM:
" I dont personally know Steve or Mary Jo but from everything I have heard they are good people. The blatant attack on them was completely uncalled for.
As far as cutting funding, if we were hurting for money does it make any sense at all to spend $10,000 dollars to redo the principals office? I personally would like to know how that got approved? "
As far as cutting funding, if we were hurting for money does it make any sense at all to spend $10,000 dollars to redo the principals office? I personally would like to know how that got approved? "
For To Oppose wrote on Oct 20, 2008 1:10 AM:
" You are exactly right - it doesn't seem to matter what event is going on, there are always Hamilton people there unhappy with the school district, and alot of times with good reason. I don't know why some people on here were being so negative about the Schlatters, they are good people and Steve is always busy doing something for the district - probably moreso than some who are getting paid alot more than he probably gets! Instead of bashing him, people in Hamilton with any sense should be glad he does as much as he does, and more than likely without much positive feedback!! "
I LOVE TEAM SCHLATTER wrote on Oct 18, 2008 9:27 PM:
" DGC... your disclaimer is a joke. How can anyone one person working for your company allow a comment that is a blatant lie. The comment saying the "schools tractors and power tools in Steves lawn"... is not feedback.. it is a LIE. You allowed an anonymous person to blatantly lie about another person.
I have known the Schlatter's for 8 years. They are loving, dedicated, hard-working people. They have nothing to hide.
Team Schlatter, you should not have to defend yourselves. What a slap in the face to dedicate yourself to a community in so many ways and to be publicly bashed like this. I am so sorry this happened to you. Regardless of this negativity, I LOVE YOU BOTH! I AM PROUD TO CALL YOU CO-WORKERS and more importantly, MY FRIENDS!
GO TEAM SCHLATTER!
P.S. I cancel my DGC subscription.. I can read this trash for free online. "
I have known the Schlatter's for 8 years. They are loving, dedicated, hard-working people. They have nothing to hide.
Team Schlatter, you should not have to defend yourselves. What a slap in the face to dedicate yourself to a community in so many ways and to be publicly bashed like this. I am so sorry this happened to you. Regardless of this negativity, I LOVE YOU BOTH! I AM PROUD TO CALL YOU CO-WORKERS and more importantly, MY FRIENDS!
GO TEAM SCHLATTER!
P.S. I cancel my DGC subscription.. I can read this trash for free online. "
get off there cases wrote on Oct 18, 2008 2:39 PM:
" Get off the Sclatters,I know them personnally, they are not perfect, but they are good people. "
friend wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:32 PM:
" I have spoke to Mr Schlatter on a daily bases now for almost ten years, He is a very professional person at his work, and good at it, he is a very organized person,and carries himself well.Lets see maybe thoses of you who lash out at good people need to take a long look at your self.Come on people we are such a small community we should be forming as a whole to create a good community for our children and grandchildren, You must be the parents of some of the disfunctional,bad mannered,street running children,and if not then those are your grandchildren. And they learned all that from you! by the way behind every good man is a good women.You both are good people and thank you for all you have done for our school district and our community. "
Team Schlatter wrote on Oct 17, 2008 2:31 PM:
" I don't believe you know what you are talking about. Steve has all his own tools and he doesn't need the schools. Who ever wrote the two ine paragraph. If you would like to see the reciepts for his tools maybe you would like to come over. We would be gald to show you our recipts and the depreciation scale from our bookkeeper. as everyone in town know Steve and Chris have an electrical business that they do on the weekends. Belileve me he owns his own tools. Now the tractor. How many times have you seen Steve mow his yard with the schools tractor. Let me see NEVER ! I know this because I have a push mower that I use everytime. It takes a big person to slander a individulal when you don't have to say who you are. Let me tell you a little about dedication. Steve goes above and beyond his job discription. Steve has went up many times on Saturday or Sunday or even in the evenings when the schools is locked and has let kids in to get homework or band instruments they has forgot. How about homecoming when boosters needed extra power to run their cookers for the meal they were preparing for the game. Steve was the first one to go out and help. This is just a few things that he does for the district. The next time you feel the need to slander him maybe you should get your facts straight. As you probably already figured out my name is MARY JO SCHLATTER and I am proud to be married to Steve. He is the most hard working kindest man I have ever known. You should be so lucky. As for me I am not ashamed that I went to the school board to plead my case. I love my job and I want to keep it and so do the other 6 women in the kitchen. Don't forget who ever wrote about us please feel free to come over to the house and look at our reciepts. We would be glad to share this information with you. "
HEY EDITOR wrote on Oct 17, 2008 2:01 PM:
" WHATS WRONG EDITOR, YOU ONLY EDIT OUT THINGS THAT MAKE YOU LOOK BAD, SHAME SHAME SHAME. YOU DON'T MIND INDIVIDUALS GETTING TRASHED BUT ONE MENTION OF THE DGC AND HOW YOU MAY BE AT RISK AND POOF YOU DON'T LIST IT. WOW, "
To Oppose wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:34 PM:
" The district is run poorly and the administrators do make horrible decisions. If you think that the Schlatters are the only ones in the community that are talking poorly about the district and administration you are sadly mistaken. There are plenty of people that work at the school and are parents of students in town that don't have anything good to say, and most of it stems from the fact that the administration makes poor choices. "
Blogging wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:09 PM:
" These are COMMENT BOARDS, not weBLOGS. According to Websters, a blog is "an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page typically updated daily. Blogs often reflect the personality of the author". Posting comments online is not the same as blogging.
With that said, I agree. The DGC should get rid of the open-ended anonymous posting to their website that invites blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments rather than the civil and productive conversation that they supposedly endorse.
Implement verifiable sign-ins where the poster's name is attached to their comments. "
With that said, I agree. The DGC should get rid of the open-ended anonymous posting to their website that invites blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments rather than the civil and productive conversation that they supposedly endorse.
Implement verifiable sign-ins where the poster's name is attached to their comments. "
To SChlatters wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:54 AM:
" You called steve a thief, hope you can prove it. Steve, you need to contact the DGC and get this persons IP address, yes they do not require you to post your name but they do have the ability to trace where the message came from. Since it was done at 10:52PM THEN IT IS A GOOD BET IT WAS DONE FROM A HOME COMPUTER. Once you have this information just file a liable suit. You might want to add some defemation of character, slander, stuff like that. Go see a Lawyer, You may want to look into the DGC as well for publishing the blog. They review the content before allowing it to appear and they are not abense of malice in these cases. They are responsible for what the content is no matter what the "Disclaimer" states. "
To stop blogging wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:54 AM:
" If you don't like it, don't read it. No one made you read the blogs, you have a back button. Personally I think it's nice that they don't require names. It's our only true form of freedom of speech now days. If everyone put there names on comments (especially in small towns), people wouldn't say what they really thought. Our country is to politically correct and God forbid you state your opinion without "hurting someones feelings." People need to get thicker skin, sometimes the truth hurts. I just love it when morons complain that someone else is complaining.
The Schlatter's are a wonderful couple, who do in fact, help this town way more than most people. They are an asset to this community. I think the person who says they are milking this district is simply jealous. If you don't think the Schlatter's are doing this community right, then why don't you step up and help out.- "
The Schlatter's are a wonderful couple, who do in fact, help this town way more than most people. They are an asset to this community. I think the person who says they are milking this district is simply jealous. If you don't think the Schlatter's are doing this community right, then why don't you step up and help out.- "
oppose wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:16 AM:
" I disagree, I find it in poor taste when Steve and Mary Jo are so vocal with negaitive comments in the community about how poorly the district is run. If you don't like your job or feel the need to complain about administrative decisions in the community, then find a new job! "
STOP BLOGGING wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:12 AM:
" I think that this whole blogging thing needs to be done away with for the DGC. I have followed many comments people write on these things and they are just an opportunity to be mean and hateful to others and not have to out your name to it. It serves no good purpose and should be eliminated!!! I am shocked that DGC would want to associate themselves with this sort of behavior. There is enough hatefulness in this world without adding to it with sort of thing. GET RID OF BLOGGING!!!!!! "
goodfriend wrote on Oct 17, 2008 9:38 AM:
" maybe you should get your fact straight because steve schlatter does more for this district than anyone around. I believe that Steve has all his own tools If you have any doubt maybe you should go to their house I am sure he would share that with you. Oh by the way it takes at lot of guts to put something like this on the internet when yo don't have to sign your name! "
Team Schlatter wrote on Oct 17, 2008 9:31 AM:
" you know what I really hate about these blogs....people have the opportunity to puff out their chests and make random comments, most of which have nothing to do with the situation at hand and then further do not have to identify themselves. Easy to to say hateful things when you do not have to put your name to it. Steve Schalatter is one of the hardest working men I have ever met in my life. Mary Jo & Steve are both 100% committed to this district and the community. They work hard and are some of the first volunteer thier time for school funnctions, fundraising etc. There are many people in this coummunity that can agree that these two individuals are good people and very helpful in the community. Mary Jo approached the board to not only help save her own job but the entire kitchen staff as well. Further I am not afaid to put my name to my comments. My name is Heather Boyd and I am the daughter to these two great people. Mom- what you did was the right thing and no matter what the outcome you did a great job. I love you both very much and am proud to say that I am your daughter. GO TEAM SCHLATTER!!! "
another food service director wrote on Oct 17, 2008 9:26 AM:
" Why is it school districts think outsourcing is the answer? I am in a district where both the custodial staff and the foodservice were outsourced at one time. The custodians are back to being district employees after three or maybe four years, and the foodservice department was for only one year, then they brought in me. I have a foods and nutrition with business degree from a state universityand turned the program around the first year. We have not run in the red since I took the department over 19 years ago. Has anyone gone into the kitchen to see just what is going on??? No one was aware that there was 3 years of paper supplies in this district when I took over. What are you doing with the heals from the loaves of bread you are using? We make homemade croutons! We use them for grilled cheese sandwiches! What do you do with leftovers? Just some things to think about. "
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Dan wrote on Nov 3, 2008 9:22 AM: