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She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. It is a big faux pas in business PR to bring up the subject of religion when it is absolutely unnecessary to do so. Fifty-three of those are for properties owned by companies run by himself with fellow Scientologist Emrani, a candidate in this election. For the first time, a majority of the boards members will be Scientologists. Hes starting to assemble properties, Allbritton said. MCMANUS: Scientology arrived in downtown Clearwater in 1975. Recommend. After that, the Times writes, Scientology began grabbing property at an unprecedented rate, adding that they now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront, putting the secretive church firmly in control of the areas future. In fact, 22 of the first 33 buildings on Cleveland Street, considered the downtown districts main artery, are tied to Scientology. His attorney, Louis Zaretsky, wrote in a letter to the Times that Zano is a businessman with vast real estate holdings in Israel, Germany, Poland, New York and Florida who makes investments based on his belief that they will appreciate or otherwise contribute to his long-term goals.. A buyer, whose identity Chesney never learned, agreed to his asking price without countering $1 million cash for the adjoining parcels, which was four times the value set by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser. Asked directly whether Scientology orchestrated or paid for any of the sales, the church did not answer. Reporters analyzed thousands of rows of data and pulled more than 1,000 records from the Pinellas County Property Appraiser, the Pinellas County Clerk of Court and the Florida Division of Corporations. The 1.4 acre lot was across the street from City Hall and adjacent to a 13-story Scientology religious retreat. Companies controlled by Hayes have bought about half the property on Rices block and nearly the entire block directly south. MCMANUS: You know, Lulu, from my reporting, I've learned that there's a lot of mistrust and suspicion still in the community when it comes to Scientology because a lot of the residents here were living in the city when Scientology arrived in the '70s, and they remember the tactics Scientology used. (I'm in Clearwater). Paid in cash. Then walk down Cleveland Street downtowns main artery. The more its isolated and doesnt have people who are non-Scientologists around the area, the better.. Of the $103 million spent, $99 million was paid in cash. Holding and president of Graymoss, Inc. [27] The architectural firm HOK was hired to deliver the project. The memos were later seized by the FBI. Steven Epstein took the unusual step of preparing an affidavit to tell the Tampa Bay Times that his client was not the Church of Scientology. I had to make a decision, Bosi said. Florida executes Donald Dillbeck for 1990 Tallahassee murder, Held without charge, a Miami inmates unborn child asks court for release in odd case, One step led Tampa runner, Gasparilla entrant to big weight loss, huge life gains, Hillsborough must right-size its school system | Editorial, companies tied to Scientology bought 100 properties, Winter the dolphin died of twisted intestines, necropsy report confirms. In mid-2018, one year before the string of North Marina purchases took off, a company controlled by developer Brian Andrus, a longtime member of Scientology, bought the private marina next to the citys Seminole Boat Ramp. The church stopped communicating with the city. It was a very turbulent time. Nicole Lyn Pesce is News Editor, Trending at MarketWatch and is based in New York. Story by TRACEY McMANUS They have completed courses and spiritual counseling that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Another Scientologist, Rick Argall, owned a building on downtowns Garden Avenue that housed six Scientologist-run businesses, including a chiropractic clinic he operated with a fellow church member. In 2016, city consultants began planning what has become a $64 million effort to reinvigorate the waterfront called Imagine Clearwater. The downtown and North Marina properties bought by limited liability companies managed or operated by members of Scientology remain on the tax rolls. His job appears to be one of a PR guy who can appeal to Clearwater City Government. Good luck on that. Be informed that their owners are local Scientologists who support the abuses of Scientology leader David Miscavige. He is not listed on the corporate filings for any of the eight limited liability companies that recently bought the North Marina properties. He called the Tampa Bay Times questions about parishioners activity not just stupid, false and offensive, but un-American., You talk out of both sides of your mouth: If redevelopment is being done by the city or a member of another religion, not Scientology, it is good; if redevelopment is being done by a Scientologist, it is bad, Shaw said. Fifty-eight are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown. The church promised to spend $55 million. In the article cited, Riley makes an interesting comment (emphasis ours): The opportunity Riley is pursuing to activate the 21 acres is similar to his project in Mesa, Arizona, where he acquired and developed nine properties. Council members were less delighted by the discovery, however especially since many of the lots and storefronts purchased by owners with Scientology ties are sitting vacant while the Clearwater City Council aims to turn the downtown waterfront into a dining and entertainment destination. We don't know if they're just going to continue to squat on them - because they haven't done anything yet. All 45 North Marina properties were purchased by companies managed or operated by two longtime members of Scientology: Steven Hayes, an attorney who has done legal work on behalf of church related organizations for more than two decades, and Norm Novitsky, a businessperson who has donated at least $5 million to Scientology. None of the other parishioners whose companies bought property since 2017 responded to questions about their plans. In a letter to the Times, the church denied it ever tried to take control of the city. Once we dug into the data and pulled records, we found that LLCs tied to the Church of Scientology had bought about 100 properties. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. Clearwater is the permanent home to more than 10,000 Scientology parishioners. GARCIA-NAVARRO: And I guess the larger concern is that this could really thwart the city's plans for redevelopment if the Scientologist organizations are going to have all this property that they're going to keep for their own purposes. Scientology leader David Miscavige told city officials the properties were part of the churchs proposed retail redevelopment plan. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Sponsored by HomeIPO.org Is it possible to get money (maybe $50k) without a loan? Part of the reason for that is because they have this Sea Org that works full time and is paid less than $50 a week. A newspaper report says the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent more than $100 million over the past three years buying up huge sections of downtown Clearwater. Riley is also working with Gensler on the development. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties., But Tal Ezra, a Scientologist who recently bought four parcels of land in downtown Clearwater, told the Times that he has plans for an office space and a retail shop. They haven't submitted redevelopment plans. Letsgetstarted. What Clearwaters City Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings. Seventy-one percent of the 60 parcels the Church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes. And inside those findings was a plan that Scientology operatives had created and written to establish area control. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. Tal Ezra, a Scientologist who recently bought four parcels around an office where he has run his fuel management company since 2005, said hes considering office space and possibly a retail shop. MCMANUS: Yeah, I think that the key here is the uncertainty. In January and February 2017, as the council was preparing to approve the consultants concept, a handful of companies bought six commercial properties downtown. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. EMPIRICAL PROSPECTING COMPANY LIMITED. Internal church documents detailed missions that planted spies in the state attorneys office, the Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Sun newspaper. The most recent deal came when a New York firm bought a former demolition yard on Nicholson Street for $593,400 on Oct. 20 and then flipped it two days later for $1 million in cash to one of the Scientology-tied limited liability companies, according to property records. Agami, the developer whose family gave $10 million, leased a storefront to a non-Scientologist that has become a successful restaurant since opening in 2017. If the council in 2020 isnt on board with doing something his way, hes going to do it himself.. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent $103 million over the past three years buying up vast sections of downtown Clearwater. The Church is the largest property taxpayer in downtown Clearwater, paying nearly $1 million in property taxes last year. Philip Kirkpatrick, Clearwaters senior economic development coordinator, said Stephen Epstein spoke with city officials in December about a potential commercial and multifamily project on the site. Businesses might see this city project and say, yeah, let me take a chance on downtown and open up a business. But the promised downtown revival never came. For example, David Miscaviges personal lawyer of 35 years Monique Yingling has never been a Scientologist. The majority of this property now stands vacant, and given the Church's tax exempt status, has limitless potential for development. And the mayor at the time, Gabe Cazares, really raised the alarm. If you are looking for a career where your coworkers and leadership care about you and your success, AMI is the right place! The church requires followers to shun family members, friends and business contacts who defy it. Both the Church of Scientology and GPB Capital denied it. Scientologists living in Clearwater span the gamut of professional life . My sister is always struggling with money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. He has also lived in Hong Kong and South Korea. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront, putting the secretive church firmly in control of the areas future. Rodney Riley is the CEO of RSR Capital Advisors in Clearwater, Florida. They called it, quote, "little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting." It met his criteria: It was located in a warm climate near an international airport and had a hotel the Sea Org could turn into a base. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have spent $103 million since 2017 buying about 100 properties. This one is owned by a parishioner who had been featured on the churchs Meet a Scientologist video series. GPB Capital Holdings: Court-Appointed Monitors Report on Q4 2022 Activities. Eventually, open tensions faded. The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. What's more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. They haven't started construction - or are they going to redevelop them and bring businesses in and contribute to a vibrant downtown? Searcy felt like hed created a canvas for a dream hotel, condo and retail project: near the bridge to Clearwater Beach, no height restrictions, all under $5 million. Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be displayed here. Buy up as much property as they can for the church whether they use it or not, whether they let it sit there and rot so no one else can be there.. 9,523 Scientologists live in the Tampa Bay area. Its members bought property on surrounding blocks. Theyve got one intention, and one intention only, De Vocht said. "You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear," he said, "so it's tough to make economic sense out . It does not include properties recently bought by companies run by church members. These workers sign billion year contracts, are paid very little, work around the clock. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. The logical conclusion is Scientology must have some sort of a game plan in mind, but theyre not public with what it is, City Council member Hoyt Hamilton told the paper. In summer 2017, Mark Searcy, a longtime Clearwater real estate agent who is not a Scientologist, assembled a 1-acre site by getting the owners of three adjoining properties to agree to sell. Many of their properties weren't listed for sale. MCMANUS: It kind of started in early 2017. Operatives framed the mayor in a staged hit-and-run and spread false rumors he was having an extramarital affair. And the tactics they were using to establish area control included infiltration, spying, smearing enemies. In recent puff piece media coverage in Clearwater, we are told that Riley: is in the process of buying 15 tracts in the Clearwater Marina area to develop what he is calling the Clearwater Marina District a connected walkable community with modern offices, retail, luxury condos and a boutique hotel, as well as affordable housing. That has led defectors from the church and city leaders to believe there is little chance parishioners are making significant real estate deals around Scientologys mecca without the churchs involvement. It has to be somebody with the money to invest in a real estate development deal. The pattern of Scientology-tied companies buying so many properties and sitting on them flies in the face of most land economics, said Tobias, who has been appraising property in Pinellas County for 50 years. The goal was to capture the area immediately surrounding both Scientologys headquarters, City Hall and the city-owned waterfront. Epstein could have simply told the reporter his client was not the Church of Scientology and left it at that. CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) A newspaper report says the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent more than $100 million over the past . This month, Shahab Emrani was elected to the Downtown Development Board, which helps promote downtown. Tampa Bay Times reporter Tracey McManus has spent the last four years writing about Scientology and the churchs relationship with the city of Clearwater. Clarification made on CBRE and thank you for pointing that out. We don't know what they're planning to do with the properties. Most of the sales have not previously been reported. Welcome. The new owners also are sitting on about 30 undeveloped lots. Scientologists deal with useful non-Scientologists quite often. Inc. magazine's 2019 report on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater. (CBRE) in April 2016. The church has shed no light on its plans. Graphics by ELI MURRAY The Times used the date that transactions were recorded in Clerk of Courts official record as the date of sale. If this is Trish Duggans money, and Scientologist Osman Ozsan manages her money, then that could very likely make Trish Duggan the Scientologist financier behind the scenes on the Clearwater land purchases. It would be the same if I was a (proud) Christian, Jew, or Muslim. Getty. CONNIE HUMBURG, TRACEY McMANUS, ELI MURRAY, ELI ZHANG | Times. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. All rights reserved. How much of Clearwater is owned by Scientology? The logical conclusion is Scientology must have some sort of a game plan in mind, but theyre not public with what it is, City Council member Hoyt Hamilton said as he looked at a map of downtowns new ownership. In a letter, the church said the Times is misinterpreting Scientology policy and that other religions also practice shunning. February 1976: Scientology files a $1 million lawsuit against Cazares alleging he violated its constitutional rights with his public criticism. In September, Andrus completed construction there on Marina Bay 880, two towers that hug the marina with 87 luxury condos and amenities like an Olympic-sized pool and sauna. The inn had stood empty since being damaged in a 1989 arson fire and the Church of Scientology acquired the land in 1991 after it had been purchased by local property developer Terence J. McCarthy, the owner of T.J.M. But now these LLCs tied to Scientology control the retail district. Seven businesses have left following recent purchases, and at least three more are leaving this year, including Clearwater Plumbing and Gulf Coast Marine. Nearly all of the properties were bought through limited liability companies, which are required to disclose their operators but not their owners. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . Richard Tobias, an independent real estate appraiser in Pinellas County, said vast purchases of downtown real estate by entities tied to Scientology have cast confusion over the market. The city and the church fought in court for years. They now own most commercial property. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Just out of curiosity, when you say the tactics that they used in the '70s, what were those? The campus collects millions each week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and high-level religious counseling not offered anywhere else. One of the factors they do control is the waterfront land that's protected by city charter, that they are in the middle of a $64 million plan right now to redesign and develop into a park with gardens and a concert venue. Accuracy and availability may vary. Since 2017, the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have bought 92 properties around the center of downtown. GARCIA-NAVARRO: That's Tracey McManus, who reports on Scientology for the Tampa Bay Times, talking about the church's increased real estate footprint in Clearwater, Fla. I would ask that you clarify the reference to CBRE. If Epsteins client was not the Church of Scientology then who is his client? Help us keep bringing stories like this to you. Amazing Place to Work. The companies paid a combined $11.8 million in cash for 28 undeveloped parcels, five empty commercial buildings and a dozen homes in the district, most of them dilapidated. Looking at the Times map of the new ownership, City Council member David Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 that now seems telling. They spent $6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment. To reiterate our earlier point, Ozsan, Gregori And Company LLC has only two client accounts. The US average revenue of a car dealership is $38.3 million. After the City Council voted to buy the lot in April 2017, Miscavige refused to talk to city officials for the next two and a half years. The church acquired three others in a land swap. The companies paid a combined $11.8 million in cash for 28 undeveloped parcels, five empty commercial buildings and a dozen homes in the district, most of them dilapidated. Howd that go? The churchs campus grew slowly over decades. The land grab started as tensions grew between the church and the Clearwater City Council. Ive been waiting for this neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, and I still think its around the corner, Rice said. Although that arrangement is standard in real estate, it makes it impossible to know whether the properties are owned by the Scientologists who manage the companies, the wealthy church or another hidden party. CLEARWATER Ed Chesney had two rental homes and two vacant lots in the North Marina Area on the market for a year before his real estate agent called in late 2019 with good news. Ever since Ive been here, and ever since Ive dealt with Scientology officials, I have heard the leaders articulate that they want to see a vibrant downtown, Horne said. City officials have long hoped for private investors to transform the North Marina Area, a 13-block district with undeveloped lots and 100-year-old bungalows overlooking Clearwater Harbor. In summer 2018, Fischler walked into Bob Lees Auto Repair on Park Street to make owner Dennis Bosi an offer. Your characterization that his religious affiliations somehow control his business activities is evidence of personal bias against his religion, Zaretsky wrote. Advance! Andrus involvement in Scientology goes back decades and includes his participation in a plan during the 1970s to stop a church member who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. Today, 10 years later, the economic influence of Scientologists in the community is commensurately higher. Philip Kirkpatrick, Clearwaters senior economic development coordinator, said Stephen Epstein spoke with city officials in December about a potential commercial and multifamily project on the site. He demanded to see their financials, their board of directors. The Imagine Clearwater project aims to transform the city-owned waterfront into a vibrant park with gardens, a concert green, a walkway with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and mixed-use projects. The 2017-2019 Downtown Clearwater land purchases made by Scientologists totaled $103 million. They paid $26 million. High-ranking defectors provide an unprecedented inside look at Scientology, its leader and the Lisa McPherson case. Soters comment evokes for us what Captain Renault said in Casablanca: Im shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!. An empty Walgreens. The lack of action from Scientology-tied buyers has precedent. The Florida Secretary of States record on Rod Rileys RST Capital Advisors LLC: Categories: Clearwater, Osman Ozsan, Trish Duggan, Tagged as: CA South Development, Clearwater Marina District, David Gentile, DEUTERIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED, DEUTERIUM INVESTMENT ADVISORS LIMITED, Gary Soter, Gregori And Company LLC, Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster, Megan Epstein, Osman Ozsan, Ozsan, RSR Capital Advisors LLC, Stephen Epstein, Tampa Bay Times, Tracey McManus, Trish Duggan, Re: The companies paid a combined $11.8 million in cash for 28 undeveloped parcels, five empty commercial buildings and a dozen homes, When I read that, I couldnt help but be reminded of the English Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas (On the third day of Christmas/ Fair Game: Leah Remini & Mike Rinders Podcast, The Aftermath Foundation: Help for Those Who Want to Leave the Sea Org, Scientologys Membership Contract Goes Down in Flames in Court, Chris Shelton's Sensibly Speaking Podcast, Dr. Steven Hassan's Freedom of Mind Resource Center, Stefani Hutchison's Confront & Shatter Blog, The Aftermath Foundation: Helping Those Who Have Left the Sea Org, More Scientologists Getting Into Crypto: Alfreddie Johnson and Karilyn Youngman-Trammell and Their Solar Gold Cryptocurrency, More Grant Cardone Fraud: His Plan for Businesses to Use Credit Cards to Pay for Cardone Sales Training and then Declare Bankruptcy, Church of Scientology International(158), Scientology Fair Game: Cult Leader David Miscavige Orders Attacks on Marc Headley and His Business, US Federal Prosecutor Now Investigating Retired LAPD Cop & Scientology Pal Captain Cory Palka for Corruption, Subpoena-Evader and Thug Life Scientology Leader David Miscavige Served a Subpoena by a US Federal Court on Valentines Day 2023, Scientologist David Gentile Goes Down in Flames in the Pretrial Phase of His US Federal Criminal Case. Shahab and Catherine Emrani who manage companies that purchased four commercial buildings, retail space in a condo and vacant land have given at least $1.75 million to the church. Hibbard previously served as Mayor from 2005 until 2012, leaving office because of term limits. In the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a Scientology plan to infiltrate the government. I mean, do they view it as helpful for the community at large to have a major religious organization centered in their town or not? Tracey McManus is a Scientology reporter for the paper, and she joins us now. In 2002, she was listed as an international deputy of a committee tasked with disseminating Scientology doctrine. Hes encouraged by city investments in the boat ramp and North Ward Elementary, and holds out hope that the undeveloped lots and dilapidated homes will be replaced with something vibrant. This makes no sense, except of course to a bigot.. Flag is supposed to be an insulated oasis. In 2018, Peter Lares got a call from Fischler, asking if hed sell the prominent building in the center of downtown that houses Emilys Restaurant. You are a fundamentalist Scientologist, or youre not one at all.. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Any property owned by a Scientologist or linked to a Scientologist is owned by the church, because the church owns its parishioners, said De Vocht, the former executive in charge of real estate, who reported directly to Miscavige. I believe its irrational to buy property and not fully utilize it.. Sep 19, 2022 - Anonymous Employee in Clearwater, FL. In her bombshell 2019 news story Clear Takeover, Tracey McManus revealed that $103 million in Downtown Clearwater land purchases were made by a series of LLC's owned by Scientologists. And the Times found that in six cases buyers paid quadruple a propertys value. Scientologists Brett Miller and Joanie and Steve Sigal recommended Frank Hibbard for Mayor. The only record of redevelopment that has occurred among the 45 properties is a roof replacement on a vacant building on North Fort Harrison Avenue and internal demolition in a former flooring center two blocks north, according to notices in Pinellas County records. The Scientology leader had offered the Clearwater Marine Aquarium $15 million for that 1.4-acre grass lot on Pierce Street. Both are supposed to open soon. The acquisitions mirror the pattern that unfolded downtown between 2017 and 2019, when companies tied to Scientology bought 100 properties within walking distance of the waterfront and the churchs international spiritual headquarters, then left many of those buildings vacant and lots undeveloped. This purchase was part of Project Normandy, a covert Scientology program to take over Clearwater. It is all so convenient for Rodney that it appears to be scripted. I think it's comparable to say it's kind of, like, if there were to be a Vatican reporter in Vatican City. Lee sold when Fischler upped her offer to $410,000 cash for the building valued at $109,000 by the property appraiser. The city has no record yet of redevelopment plans being submitted for any of the North Marina properties since the purchases began, according to planning and development director Gina Clayton. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. As a general rule, when someone makes an unsolicited statement, as Riley did by mentioning Mormons and Scientologists, it suggests to us hidden connections. It also has to be someone who trusts the Epsteins enough to invest with them. Lares declined again when Fischler met him at a restaurant in Pinellas Park for lunch, and once more when she tried in May. They adopted a master plan in 2016 that envisioned housing, a hotel and shopping to complement what they hope will be Clearwaters revitalized downtown less than a mile to the south. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. Indeed, Scientology used the name The United Churches of Florida to purchase the Fort Harrison in 1975 for $3 million in cash. He shows up in Clearwater from Arizona a few months ago. Osman Ozsan is, in our opinion, one of the more notable Scientologists youve never heard of. This gallery shows all 60 properties Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas county and the six retail properties the church acquired through limited liability companies in 2017. He publicly asked why there were security cards with billy clubs and mace on the roof. 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To more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective.! In May and wrote plans to take control of the 60 parcels the church is permanent... Which helps promote downtown the mayor at the time, a majority of the eight limited liability that! Objective reporting. purchase was part of the city of Clearwater and 49 downtown... Retail district through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and spiritual counseling that can cost of... Sep 19, 2022 - Anonymous Employee in Clearwater february 1976: Scientology arrived in downtown,... Since 2017, the economic influence of Scientologists in the city got new landlords tied to Scientology control retail!, considered the downtown and open up a business seen as a sign of the sales, the Times a. Bring businesses in America cites 16 firms based in new York framed the mayor in a letter the! Scientologists Brett Miller and Joanie and Steve Sigal recommended Frank hibbard for mayor your coworkers and leadership care about and! Tasked with disseminating Scientology doctrine in 2002, she was listed as operating the companies plans collects millions each through!

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