The Town Square Podcast

Trey Bailey, Gabriel Stovall

Not just another podcast, but a place to meet in the messy middle and have difficult discussions with transparency and diplomacy where the outcome is unity, not uniformity. The primary topics will be the local interests of Newton County, Georgia residents and those in the surrounding community.

  1. 1d ago

    Pastor Chris Haymore on Wesley Methodist Church and Global Methodism — Episode 98

    A Newton County Life Takes a New TurnChris Haymore has spent most of his life in Newton County. His father returned here to teach and coach when Chris was six months old, and Chris later built his own career in local education: teaching and coaching at Rutledge Academy and Eastside, serving as an administrator at Alcovy, and finishing as principal at Mansfield Elementary. Now the longtime educator is taking on a different kind of leadership assignment. As pastor of Wesley Methodist Church of Covington, Haymore is helping plant a congregation, guide its worship and discipleship, and prepare for a permanent home of its own. The transition is not as unrelated as it may look. Haymore says both roles begin with people: listening, treating others with respect, managing competing expectations, and accepting that leadership sometimes means disappointing someone. The schoolhouse and the sanctuary require different skills, but both call for patience, preparation, and genuine care. A Walk-On’s Lesson in PreparationBefore the administrative offices and the pulpit, there was Sanford Stadium. Haymore walked on at the University of Georgia and practiced for two years under Vince Dooley. He is quick to downplay the resume line, but he still ran between the hedges in silver britches and shared the field with names such as Tim Worley, Keith Anderson, Rodney Hampton, and Bill Goldberg. The lasting lesson came from scout-team work. Haymore watched how practices were organized, how drills were timed, and how coaches made limited time count. “It’s not about quantity. It’s about quality,” he says. That same instinct for preparation followed him into coaching, education, and now ministry. What Makes Global Methodism Distinct?Wesley Methodist is part of the Global Methodist Church, a newer denomination rooted in the historic Methodist tradition. Haymore describes it as holding a more conservative, traditional understanding of Scripture while retaining familiar Methodist doctrine and worship. The conversation is careful not to caricature the United Methodist Church or other Christian traditions; the goal is to explain what Wesley Methodist believes and how those convictions are practiced locally. At the center is the Wesleyan understanding of grace. Haymore discusses prevenient grace - God at work before a person recognizes it - along with convincing, sanctifying, and glorifying grace. He also explains John Wesley’s emphasis on Christian perfection, not as flawless performance, but as a life being made perfect in love through the work of the Holy Spirit. That emphasis moves faith beyond a single decision. Methodist discipleship historically involves formation, accountability, Scripture, prayer, and service. Haymore points to the small groups and “bands” associated with the Wesleyan tradition. At Wesley Methodist, that takes practical form through Disciple Bible Study, a Tuesday group that studied the Global Methodist catechism and planned to move into Acts, and a developing men’s Bible study centered simply on the Gospel of John. Sacraments, Scripture, and the Shape of WorshipWesley Methodist recognizes two sacraments: baptism and Holy Communion. The congregation baptizes infants as well as older believers, connecting the practice to covenant, the household baptisms described in Scripture, and the belief that God’s grace is already at work. Communion is ordinarily celebrated monthly, even though Haymore notes that John Wesley encouraged Christians to receive it frequently. Sunday worship follows a recognizable Methodist rhythm: a call to worship, prayer, hymns, the Apostles’ Creed, pastoral prayer, Scripture, preaching, offering, and a closing hymn. The music is blended, with traditional Methodist hymns joined by soloists, an ensemble, piano, and guitar. Haymore often begins with the lectionary, which places Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, and Gospel readings before the church across a three-year cycle. He does not follow it mechanically, but appreciates that it “forces you to do the hard ones” instead of allowing a preacher to remain only with favorite passages. A Sweet Spirit in a School GymFor now, the congregation worships in the gym at Peachtree Academy. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m., and worship begins at 11. Visitors are met at the door, people gather and talk, chairs fill the gym floor, and a loyal “peanut gallery” claims the bleachers in back. Haymore describes the atmosphere with a phrase the congregation uses often: “There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place.” That warmth is more important than a dress code. Some worshipers wear coats and ties; others come in shorts. Haymore’s priority is straightforward: “I just want to get them in there.” Children’s and youth ministry are also part of the church’s developing life. In the episode, Haymore discusses bringing Champ Young - an Eastside High School assistant principal and athletic director - into youth leadership, joining two familiar Newton County worlds: church, school, and coaching. A Church Building Written With ScriptureWesley Methodist is also constructing a permanent home on roughly 30 acres purchased from the Callaway family. Haymore describes a 10,000-square-foot building with a 300-seat sanctuary, a steeple, stone and exposed wood details, an altar, a raised pulpit, a communion rail, and a kneeling bench. The property also includes a pond and an old cabin that the congregation hopes to put to use. Before the walls closed, members wrote Scripture passages and prayers on the building’s beams. Leaders even carried a smaller beam to members who could not attend, giving them the opportunity to add their own words. The symbolism is hard to miss: the new church is literally being built around Scripture and prayer. At the time of recording, the congregation hoped to be in the building by Christmas, while acknowledging the uncertainty that accompanies any construction schedule. Until then, the church is already doing what Haymore believes a church should do: growing as a family, serving its neighbors, making disciples, and working to further God’s kingdom. Why This Conversation MattersThe Faith and Community series is not an exercise in ranking denominations. It is an invitation to understand the convictions, practices, and people behind the church signs scattered across Newton County. In this episode, Global Methodism becomes less of an institutional headline and more of a lived local expression: grace that transforms, discipleship with accountability, worship rooted in Scripture and sacrament, and a church family making room for newcomers - even if they arrive at 11:05 and head straight for the bleachers. Links Mentioned·    Watch Episode 98 on YouTube ·    Wesley Methodist Church of Covington ·    Global Methodist Church ·    Global Methodist Church beliefs and governance ·    Catechism for the Global Methodist Church Sponsors / AdvertisersLuther Rice College and SeminaryLuther Rice offers biblically grounded, accredited online education for ministry and the marketplace, including undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, dual-enrollment, and certificate options. Take the next step toward your calling at https://www.lutherrice.edu/ Bizzy Bee ExterminatorsBizzy Bee is a locally rooted pest-control company serving homes and businesses across the region. For help with common pests, mosquitoes, termites, rodents, and more, call 770-787-3718 or visit https://www.bizzybeeexterminators.com/

  2. Aug 11

    Marshall McCart of The Piedmont Chronicles: Politics, Privacy, and Local Music — Episode 97

    Politically Homeless, Still HopefulMarshall McCart returns to The Town Square Podcast for a candid trip through political burnout, public surveillance, permanent standard time, Covington music history, and the stubborn hope that keeps him from hanging up his boots for good. Marshall McCart has spent roughly 25 years kicking at political anthills. Sometimes the ants bite back. On Episode 97 of The Town Square Podcast, the writer and local-history enthusiast behind The Piedmont Chronicles returns nearly a year after his first appearance. The self-described “semi-professional anthill kicker” arrives with fewer political sparks flying than usual—but not because he has stopped paying attention. He is tired. After years of party politics, grassroots advocacy, citizen journalism, and public argument, Marshall has pulled back to ask a difficult question: after all that banging against the proverbial brick wall, what is there to show for it? That question opens a wide-ranging conversation about public trust, political identity, technology, music, family, local memory, and the possibility that the sensible center is larger than the loudest voices make it appear. When political engagement becomes political exhaustionMarshall traces his civic involvement through the Libertarian Party, the GOP, independent efforts, grassroots groups, and his work with The Piedmont Chronicles. He has not stopped caring about local issues, but he has deliberately unplugged from some of the daily political combat. Part of that fatigue, he says, comes from feeling politically homeless. He does not recognize himself in the loudest parts of the MAGA movement, and he has no interest in the socialist wing of the Democratic Party. If those are the only choices being offered, he argues, a great many people are being left without a political home. That is where the Town Square idea of the “messy middle” comes in. Marshall’s sharpest political observation may also be the episode’s most hopeful: the opposing fringes can dominate attention without representing most people. “The messy middle is the majority,” he says. The challenge is getting that majority to stop treating exhaustion as surrender—and to start building relationships broad enough to matter. Flock cameras and the price of securityThe conversation turns local when Trey and Marshall discuss automated license plate readers, including the Flock camera systems now familiar along roads, near schools, and across multiple jurisdictions. Both acknowledge the strongest argument for the technology: it can help law enforcement locate wanted vehicles, develop leads, protect campuses, and solve serious crimes. Marshall does not wave those benefits away. His concern is what happens when a powerful tool built for a legitimate purpose becomes part of a much larger surveillance network. The question is not whether the cameras can be useful. It is whether usefulness alone should settle the debate. Marshall argues that privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns deserve more than a shrug—especially when ordinary people who are suspected of no crime have their vehicle movements captured and made searchable. Trey wrestles with the same tradeoff from the perspective of school safety: a little more warning can matter enormously, but that does not erase the civil-liberties question. Their practical conclusion is refreshingly unglamorous. If residents object, the answer is not vandalism. It is coalition-building, public comment, and votes before city councils and county commissions when contracts come up for approval or renewal. A surprisingly serious argument about the clockMarshall has another long-running civic cause: ending the twice-yearly time change. But he is not campaigning for permanent daylight saving time. He wants permanent standard time—what he calls natural time. His case begins with winter mornings. In the western portion of a time zone, permanent daylight saving time can push sunrise uncomfortably late. He also points to the disruption people experience when clocks spring forward and fall back. His preferred answer is not to keep rearranging the clock, but to return to standard time year-round. Trey gives him room to make the full argument, and Marshall brings the enthusiasm of a man who has apparently been waiting 15 years for somebody to ask. Rock and roll is not deadThen the episode changes key. Marshall is a lifelong musician whose musical Mount Rushmore begins with Led Zeppelin and Steely Dan. He and Trey trade favorite records, marvel at John Bonham’s impossible-sounding right foot, and swap stories about the strange studio tricks producers use to capture the right tone. The conversation becomes a piece of Covington and Newton County music history. Marshall remembers a spring 1996 show at the Wiley farm in North Oxford, where his band Southern Freight shared the bill with Trey’s Rocketboy. There was a homemade stage, a natural amphitheater, hundreds of people, and—if memory serves—a bass player in a dress. The statute of limitations has probably expired. They name-check musicians, bands, old venues, and friendships that formed a local scene: Sweet Harmony, Fox Hill Road, Chris, Jon and Scott, Hannah Thomas, Thomas Tillman, Corey Crowder, Drew Parker, and others. Marshall also sends listeners toward King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Black Pumas, while Trey makes the case for the Appalachian rock of Cigarettes @ Sunset. The thread running through it all is not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It is the way music preserves a community’s memory. A farm show, a Christmas-light rivalry, a set at a local pub, or a band that lasted only a season can still become part of the story a town tells about itself. Homeownership, the economy, and the American promiseBecause Marshall also works in real estate and real estate education, the conversation eventually returns to economics. He describes the Covington, Newton County, and East Metro market as location-dependent and generally steady, while noting that values and sales activity can vary sharply by property and neighborhood. The larger discussion is less about a market forecast than about ownership itself. Trey wonders what happens when younger adults are told to believe in the American dream but cannot see a realistic path to owning a home or building a stake in the system. Marshall connects that frustration to a political economy dominated less by open competition than by alliances among big government, big business, and other concentrated interests. Whether listeners share every part of that diagnosis or not, the underlying concern is worth hearing: people invest in a system when they believe they can belong to it. The reason he has not quitNear the end, Trey asks Marshall what gives him hope. Marshall pauses, then comes back to faith and people. “I believe in people,” he says. There are bad actors, certainly, but there are also a great many people who care about their neighbors and want life to be better for their children. The world will never be perfect, but that does not excuse us from trying to improve the piece of it within reach. Marshall says he will get back into the fray at some point. For now, the anthill kicker is catching his breath, listening to a little Zeppelin, and waiting for the right moment to lace up the boots again. That may be the messy middle in its most honest form: tired, skeptical, occasionally cranky—and not quite ready to give up. Links Mentioned1.   Watch Episode 97 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NYvszSlLlKk 2.   The Piedmont Chronicles: https://www.thepiedmontchronicles.com/ 3.   The Town Square Podcast: https://www.thetownsquarepodcast.com/ 4.   Support The Town Square Podcast: https://www.thetownsquarepodcast.com/donate 5.   Flock Safety license plate readers: https://www.flocksafety.com/products/license-plate-readers 6.   Fox Hill Road: https://www.foxhillroad.com/ 7.   Cigarettes @ Sunset: https://www.cigarettesatsunset.com/ 8.   King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: https://kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com/ 9.   Black Pumas: https://www.blackpumas.com/ Sponsor / AdvertiserAngel Pitts, United Bank Wealth ManagementThis episode is made possible in part by Angel Pitts, United Bank Wealth Management Advisor, serving Covington and Madison, Georgia. Angel helps clients think through long-term investing, diversification, and personalized financial planning while building relationships that go beyond investments. Phone: 770-412-4932 Website: https://www.accessunited.com/wealth-management When you contact Angel, please let her know The Town Square Podcast sent you. Disclosure: Wealth Management Services are not FDIC insured, not bank guaranteed, may lose value, are not a bank deposit, and are not insured by any federal government agency.

  3. Aug 4

    Larry Cox Explains Data Centers, School Funding & the Future of Rockdale County — Episode 96

    Data Centers, School Budgets & Speaking Your Mind with Larry Cox One of the greatest challenges facing local communities today isn't a lack of information—it's determining which information to trust. That theme surfaced repeatedly during Episode 96 of The Town Square Podcast as Rockdale County Board of Education member Larry Cox joined Trey Bailey and guest co-host Dr. Gregory Brown for a wide-ranging discussion about public education, school funding, and one of Georgia's hottest local government topics: data centers. Known throughout Rockdale County for his "Speak Your Mind" podcast, Cox has built a reputation for saying exactly what he thinks. Whether listeners agree with him or not, one thing is certain—he rarely leaves anyone wondering where he stands. But this conversation wasn't simply about opinions. It was about understanding how decisions are made and why good public policy requires more than headlines and social media posts. From Construction to Community Leadership Before entering public office, Larry Cox spent more than three decades in the construction industry, serving as Vice President of the highway division for one of the Southeast's leading concrete cutting companies. His work has taken him across airports, military installations, and major interstate projects throughout the Southeast. That background shaped the way he approaches government. Rather than viewing public service through an ideological lens, Cox says he tends to approach problems the same way he approaches construction projects: identify the issue, gather the facts, and solve the problem. That practical mindset eventually led him to seek public office after years of community involvement. A Different Kind of Campaign When Larry Cox first ran for the Rockdale County Board of Education, he wasn't well known. His second campaign was very different. Rather than avoiding controversial issues, Cox openly campaigned on changing district leadership, reducing spending, restoring classroom discipline, increasing transparency, and pursuing additional tax relief for senior citizens. According to Cox, voters weren't looking for vague promises. They were looking for someone willing to explain exactly what he intended to do. Now, roughly halfway through his first term, he believes much of that campaign agenda has already begun taking shape. School Boards: What They Actually Do One of the most helpful portions of the conversation focused on a question many citizens misunderstand: What does a school board actually do? Cox explained that while many residents expect school board members to solve day-to-day operational issues, Georgia law assigns boards three primary responsibilities: Hiring and evaluating the superintendentFiscal oversight of the districtEstablishing board policyEverything else is largely delegated to district administration. That distinction matters because many of the complaints school board members receive are actually operational concerns rather than governance issues. Understanding that difference helps citizens better direct their questions and expectations. School Budgets Are More Than Numbers The conversation then shifted toward one of Trey Bailey's favorite themes—viewing a school budget as a moral document. Every budget reflects priorities. Every dollar spent communicates what a district values. But budgets also represent something else: the burden placed on taxpayers who fund those priorities. Larry Cox argued that districts must consider not only what happens inside the classroom but also the financial realities families face outside school. He challenged listeners to think about the "whole child" differently. While educators often define the whole child through academic, emotional, and social support, Cox suggested another perspective. Children spend far more time outside school than inside it. If excessive taxes make it harder for grandparents to buy medicine or families to afford housing, those financial pressures ultimately affect students as well. For Cox, stewardship means balancing educational investment with community affordability. Why School Funding Is So Complicated The discussion naturally moved into Georgia's school funding formula. School districts receive much of their funding through the state's Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula, but local property taxes remain a critical piece of the equation. That creates challenges. Enrollment shifts. Healthcare mandates increase costs. Retirement obligations grow. Meanwhile, districts often have little control over many of those expenses. Cox described how Rockdale County reduced its operating budget while simultaneously absorbing state-mandated cost increases—a reminder that reducing spending on paper often requires significantly larger internal cuts. The conversation also explored the long-term sustainability of relying so heavily on property taxes to fund public education. Both hosts agreed that conversations at the Georgia Capitol will likely continue for years as lawmakers search for more sustainable funding models. Finding the Next Superintendent Another timely topic involved Rockdale County's search for its next superintendent. Rather than discussing specific candidates, Cox shared the qualities he believes matter most. He wanted someone with demonstrated success—not simply theories or promises. He wanted a leader who understood fiscal responsibility. And perhaps most importantly, he wanted someone prepared to make difficult decisions if enrollment declines eventually require districts to redraw attendance zones or repurpose school facilities. Those aren't easy conversations. But leadership often requires preparing for tomorrow's challenges rather than reacting to yesterday's problems. (At the time of airing this episode, Dr. Stephanie Johnson has been named the new superintendent of Rockdale County Schools, click HERE for the press release.) The Data Center Debate The second half of the episode focused on one of the fastest-growing issues facing communities across Georgia. Data centers. As artificial intelligence continues expanding, demand for large-scale computing facilities has exploded. With that growth has come concern. Residents worry about water usage. Electricity demand. Noise. Environmental impacts. Tax incentives. Infrastructure. Rather than relying on internet searches or social media discussions, Larry Cox spent weeks interviewing mechanical engineers, acoustic engineers, and leaders from Georgia's Public Service Commission. His goal wasn't to convince people. His goal was to understand the facts. Those interviews challenged several assumptions he previously held. According to experts featured in his series, modern data centers increasingly rely on closed-loop or waterless cooling systems that dramatically reduce ongoing water consumption. Infrastructure costs, Cox noted, are generally paid upfront by developers rather than existing ratepayers. Georgia's electrical grid, according to Public Service Commission leadership, is being expanded alongside this growth rather than after it. While public debate often centers on potential risks, Cox argues communities should also carefully evaluate economic opportunities—including expanded commercial tax bases that could eventually reduce the tax burden on homeowners. He also acknowledged that earlier generations of data centers created many of the concerns still circulating today. Technology, however, continues to evolve rapidly. Separating Facts from Fear Perhaps the most important takeaway from Episode 96 had nothing to do with school budgets or data centers. It had to do with information. Throughout the discussion, the hosts repeatedly encouraged listeners not to settle for headlines or viral posts. Instead, they urged citizens to attend meetings. Ask questions. Read source documents. Listen to experts. Evaluate competing claims. Only then can communities make informed decisions about issues that will shape their future. In an era where information is abundant but trust is scarce, thoughtful civic engagement remains one of the most valuable tools citizens possess. Final Thoughts Episode 96 reminds us that healthy communities require more than strong opinions. They require strong conversations. Whether discussing public education, taxation, or emerging technologies, lasting solutions are usually found somewhere in the messy middle. That has always been the mission of The Town Square Podcast. Not uniformity. But unity. Built one conversation at a time. Episode Sponsor All Air Services When your home deserves dependable comfort, call the local professionals at All Air Services. Whether it's routine maintenance, emergency repairs, or a complete HVAC replacement, All Air Services has built its reputation on honest advice, exceptional workmanship, and customer-first service. Mention The Town Square Podcast when scheduling your repair and receive $25 off your service call. 📞 770-761-9914 🌐 allairservices.com

  4. Jul 23

    Fayth Park on Data Centers, Affordability and GA-13 | Candidate Conversations — Episode 95

    Candidate Conversations — Episode 95 of The Town Square PodcastGeorgia’s 13th Congressional District is holding a political sprint. After the death of longtime Congressman David Scott, the state scheduled a July 28 special election to fill the remainder of his term. There is no party primary: Democrats and Republicans appear together on what Fayth Park calls a “jungle-style ballot,” and a runoff follows if no candidate wins a majority. It is a compressed job interview for a seat representing communities across Clayton, DeKalb, Henry, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Newton counties. In Episode 95, Park joins Trey Bailey—Gabriel Stovall was away following a death in his family—to explain why she entered the race and what she would try to accomplish during the short term. A blue-collar childhood and a wrestler’s path to GeorgiaPark grew up as the youngest of four in a blended, blue-collar California family. Her father worked as a mechanic before also teaching, and her mother stayed home. One of Park’s strongest childhood memories is the family dinner table: “We didn’t have everything … but we always had each other growing up.” Athletics became her route to higher education. Park wrestled on scholarship at an Oregon community college and later at Emmanuel University in Georgia. She earned a business degree, completed a master’s degree in positive psychology and worked as a graduate assistant for women’s wrestling at Life University. She also discusses her experience wrestling boys and explains why she strongly supports protecting separate opportunities for girls and women in sports while treating every person with dignity. Georgia became home through school, church, her husband and eventually a house in Clayton County—purchased on the same day she graduated with her master’s degree. Now 29 and the mother of a young son, Park frames the race as a call to service, not the next rung in a political career. “People … want someone who’s going to show up”The decision came quickly, but not, Park says, as a sudden bolt of inspiration. After Scott’s death, she researched how a special election worked, discussed the possibility with her husband, family, church and friends, and decided she could not remain on the sidelines. She points to previous advocacy against child trafficking and exploitation as part of a longer pattern of civic involvement. During the campaign, Park says she attended more than 50 events across all six counties. The lesson she heard repeatedly was less ideological than practical: “People at the heart of it just want someone who’s going to show up and listen to them after the election.” Park describes herself as a conservative and a political outsider running a grassroots campaign without PAC or party funding. Her Christian faith is central to her identity, but she says her goal is to compete for every vote and work across party lines on problems that directly affect the district. Data centers: growth, resources and the need to slow downData centers become the episode’s most detailed policy discussion. Park says residents across the district are worried about developments approved near homes, schools, hospitals and farmland, particularly when local input appears to arrive after major decisions are already in motion. She does not argue that data centers or artificial intelligence should disappear. Instead, she calls for a pause on new development in sensitive areas until impact studies examine energy, water, infrastructure, noise and quality of life. She also raises questions about consumer privacy, who can access the enormous amount of information stored by these facilities, and whether highly specialized buildings can be repurposed if technology moves elsewhere. “I’m not against the data centers. I’m not against the growth or technology or economic revenue for a neighborhood or a county,” Park says, “but not at the expense of the character of our communities and our resources as well.” For long-term economic development, she wants the district to look beyond what she calls a short-term money grab. She identifies healthcare, aviation, logistics, skilled trades and apprenticeships as industries that could create durable local career paths—especially if young people can train, work and build their lives in the communities where they grew up. Healthcare access that became personalPark makes healthcare tangible through her own family. While pregnant and covered by a state plan, she says her available hospital choices were roughly 45 minutes from her home in the Ellenwood–Rex area. Her family later learned that moving to her husband’s employer plan would cost them about $700 per month while the employer contributed another $2,300. Her answer is more competition, more choices and better value for what families and businesses already pay. She also wants a system that rewards preventive care instead of becoming financially engaged only after a person is sick. “Healthcare should be about caring for people,” she says, “and not navigating this system that’s impossible to afford.” Immigration, education and the national debtOn immigration, Park argues for a secure border and a legal immigration process that is safe, fair and functional. She says the current system strains housing, healthcare, businesses and local law enforcement while leaving people pursuing legal entry waiting for years. Her stated priority is ensuring American citizens can access the services they need. On education, Park supports reducing the federal role, increasing school choice and returning decisions closer to families and local communities. She favors more pathways into trades and apprenticeships rather than treating a four-year degree as the only route to a stable life. She also supports preserving protections such as Title IX and voices concern about the cost of higher education and student debt. Federal spending is another generational issue for her. Park argues that Congress should be held to the same basic discipline families face at the kitchen table: set priorities, eliminate waste and ask hard questions about every dollar. “My son didn’t ask for $40 trillion in his country’s debt,” she says, adding that Congress has a responsibility to balance the budget. “Show up, listen, and fight”Park closes by returning to the idea of public service. She says she is not seeking a title or a lifelong career in politics, and that running for Congress is not the destination—serving people is. “Voters deserve someone who remembers who they work for,” Park says. “I will show up, I will listen, and I will fight for the people of this district.” Voters can agree or disagree with her prescriptions. Candidate Conversations exists to let them hear the reasoning, experience and temperament behind those positions before making that decision. What voters should knowElection Day is Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The special election fills the remainder of the current congressional term. All candidates appear on one ballot, and a candidate must receive more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the top two will meet in an August 25 runoff. Voting details vary by county and precinct. Voters should confirm that they live in the 13th Congressional District and check their assigned polling location through Georgia’s My Voter Page before heading out. Candidate Conversations is not an endorsement. It is an invitation to listen closely, compare the candidates and make an informed choice.·        Watch Episode 95 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/spFm7bzu58Q Fayth Park for Congress: https://votefaythpark.com/ Georgia My Voter Page: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/ Newton County GA-13 Special Election Information: https://www.newtoncountyga.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/840 All AirWebsite: https://www.allairservices.com/ Phone: 770-761-9914 All Air is a locally owned Covington company providing heating, cooling and healthy-air services across greater Atlanta. The team handles repairs, maintenance and full-system installations, with free replacement estimates, free second opinions and flexible financing options. Military members, veterans and senior citizens receive 10% off. Mention The Town Square Podcast for $25 off your next repair service. Visit https://www.allairservices.com/ or call 770-761-9914.

  5. Jul 21

    Fr. Justin Clemente on Anglicanism, Daily Prayer, and Planting Lamb of God Church — Episode 94

    Ancient Faith, Daily Prayer, and a New Anglican Church in Covington For many Christians, words like liturgy, Anglicanism, the Daily Office, and the Book of Common Prayer can sound like they belong in a church-history classroom—or at least somewhere with stained glass, incense, and a vocabulary quiz waiting at the door. But for Father Justin Clemente, these aren’t museum pieces. They are living tools: ways Christians have worshiped, prayed, learned, and followed Jesus together for centuries. And now, Fr. Clemente is bringing that tradition to Covington through a new congregation called Lamb of God Anglican Church. In Episode 94 of The Town Square Podcast, Fr. Justin joins Trey Bailey and guest co-host Dr. Gregory Brown for a wide-ranging conversation about Anglican history, embodied worship, structured prayer, church leadership, and what Fr. Clemente describes as a “quiet revival” among young men searching for a deeper and more rooted expression of Christian faith. It’s part theology lesson, part church-history tour, and part introduction to a new local congregation. And, somehow, it remains a conversation ordinary people can follow. “The Most Important Title I Have” The conversation begins with a question that many people outside Anglican circles may wonder about: Why call a priest “Father”? Fr. Clemente explains that, within the parish, the title is intended as a term of spiritual trust and endearment—a picture of someone called to offer fatherly care in Christ. But before any ministerial title, Fr. Clemente describes himself more simply. His most important identity, he says, is “redeemed child of God.” Then comes husband, father, Anglican priest, writer, editor, and—because, as he jokes, he is apparently “a glutton for punishment”—church planter once again. Fr. Clemente previously spent a decade planting a church in western Maryland, where his family lived for 18 years. After moving to Georgia, he served at Holy Cross Cathedral in Loganville. He also writes and edits for Anglican Compass, a national resource designed to explain Anglican belief, worship, and practice with clarity. His most recent book, At the Cross: Reflections on the Stations of the Cross, explores the 14 biblical Stations of the Cross as a devotional journey through Christ’s passion. Fr. Clemente describes meditating on the cross as being like trying to hold the ocean in your hands. You cannot contain the whole thing—but you may be able to receive a drop and understand its depth a little more. That image sets the tone for much of the episode. This isn’t about knowing everything at once. It’s about slowing down long enough to see more. What Is Liturgy? One of the episode’s most helpful sections begins with a basic question: What does liturgy actually mean? Fr. Clemente describes liturgy as the work of the people—the shape and substance of what Christians do together in worship in response to God’s grace. Anglican worship also emphasizes that God is the primary actor: Christians gather not only to offer worship but to receive God’s gifts. And every church has a liturgy. Some churches write theirs down. Others follow an unwritten pattern that members understand instinctively. There may be opening music, announcements, prayer, preaching, an invitation, and a closing song. Change that order too dramatically and people quickly realize that even an “informal” church has expectations about how worship should proceed. The real question, then, isn’t whether a church has a liturgy. It’s what that liturgy teaches—and what kind of people it forms. Worship You Can See, Hear, Smell, Taste, and Touch Anglican worship is deliberately physical. Scripture is read aloud. Congregants stand, kneel, speak, pray, exchange the peace, receive consecrated bread and wine, and sometimes experience the scent of incense moving through the sanctuary. Those practices are not meant to be empty ceremony. Fr. Clemente explains them as ways of involving the whole person in worship. Incense, for example, recalls biblical images of prayer ascending before God. It marks important moments: the gathering of the congregation, the reading of the Gospel, Communion, and the church’s movement back into the world. By the time worshipers leave, the aroma may literally remain on their clothing—a physical reminder of their calling to carry the “aroma of Christ” into the coming week. The Gospel reading may be carried into the congregation rather than delivered only from a distant platform. The table remains visually central. White robes, or albs, are intended not to draw attention to the person wearing them, but to point toward baptism, purity in Christ, and the worship of heaven depicted in Scripture. For Dr. Brown, the educator at the table, the multisensory nature of the service raises an interesting point: people learn in different ways. When worship involves hearing, seeing, tasting, touching, and even smelling, theological truth can move beyond abstract explanation and become something the congregation experiences together. Liturgy teaches. But it also forms. Anglicanism: Protestant and Catholic? The conversation also attempts something ambitious: explaining Anglican history in plain English. Fr. Clemente places Anglicanism within the long history of Christianity in Britain, rather than beginning its story solely with King Henry VIII or the Protestant Reformation. He describes an English Christian heritage reaching back into the early centuries of the church and continuing through figures such as Patrick and the Celtic missionaries. At the Reformation, Anglicanism chose reform rather than complete reinvention. One metaphor offered during the conversation compares the church to a house. The foundation—Jesus Christ—remains secure. But over time, parts of the house may need repair, cleaning, or restoration. Anglicanism, in Fr. Clemente’s telling, seeks to hold together the best of Protestantism and the historic catholic tradition, using catholic in its broad sense of the universal Christian church. That means a high view of Scripture alongside deep respect for the early church, historic creeds, sacraments, ordered worship, bishops, priests, deacons, and the accumulated wisdom of Christians who came before us. It also means acknowledging that the church can make mistakes. As Fr. Clemente puts it, the church cannot ultimately fall—but it can trip. Bishops, Priests—and the People of God Anglican church government includes a visible structure of bishops, priests, and deacons, but Fr. Clemente is careful to explain that this does not eliminate the role of ordinary members. A local congregation is typically guided by a vestry composed primarily of lay leaders and headed by the rector or senior priest. Regional churches belong to dioceses under bishops, while broader provincial structures connect Anglicans across larger geographical areas. The result is neither purely congregational nor exclusively clergy-driven. There is order, Fr. Clemente explains, but the people of God still have a genuine role and responsibility in the life of the church. The episode also distinguishes the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) from the Episcopal Church in the United States. Fr. Clemente describes the Anglican Church in North America, founded in 2009, as a movement committed to historic, biblically faithful Christianity after serious theological divisions within the Episcopal Church. He acknowledges that separation came at a cost for many early leaders and congregations. But the deeper issue, he says, was whether the church still believed and proclaimed the Gospel—including the call for every person to repent, believe, and receive the grace of God. The Book of Common Prayer: “Scripture Arranged for Worship” Perhaps the most immediately practical part of the episode centers on the Book of Common Prayer. Fr. Clemente’s description is refreshingly simple: It is “Scripture arranged for worship.” Rather than replacing the Bible, the prayer book organizes biblical language into patterns of personal, family, and corporate prayer. One of its best-known practices is the Daily Office, which provides forms for morning prayer, midday prayer, evening prayer, and Compline before bed. Most people will not pray every office every day. That isn’t the point. The point is to develop a sustainable pattern that brings Christians repeatedly back to Scripture, the Psalms, confession, thanksgiving, intercession, and prayer for the church and the world. Fr. Clemente describes the Daily Office as a rock for his family during the previous year. For Trey, learning to use it sparked a renewed hunger for Scripture and prayer. But Dr. Brown raises an important objection: Can written prayer become little more than reading someone else’s script? What about the personal concerns that do not appear on the page—the hurting ankle, strained marriage, depression, anger, or fear someone actually brings into the room? Fr. Clemente responds with one of the episode’s strongest analogies. The prayer book is like a fireplace. The fireplace provides form and structure. The person brings the fire. Written prayers do not prevent personal prayer; they give it a framework. They also train Christians to pray beyond their immediate concerns. A person left entirely to spontaneous prayer may repeatedly return to the same subjects and phrases. Historic prayers introduce other needs, biblical themes, and ways of approaching God. In that sense, the Daily Office is both prayer and discipleship. It gives us some reps. The “Quiet Revival” Among Young Men So why plant another church? Fr. Clemente says he did not initially plan to return to church planting. After a decade of doing that work in Maryland, he moved to Georgia and served at Holy Cross Cathedral. But the desire returned. Part of that calling grew from a pattern he began seeing among young men.

  6. Jun 30

    The Next Chapter: New Voices, Big Ideas & What’s Ahead | Episode 93

    The Next Chapter: New Voices, Big Ideas & What’s Ahead Sometimes the best conversations happen when there’s no guest sitting across the table. After several weeks of candidate interviews and election coverage, Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall return for a wide-ranging conversation about life, community, travel, family, and the future of The Town Square Podcast. The episode begins with reflection on the recent Candidate Conversation series, which gave local voters an opportunity to hear directly from individuals seeking public office. Rather than debates or rapid-fire questions, the goal was simple: create space for honest conversation and help listeners better understand the people behind the campaigns. For Trey and Gabriel, that approach perfectly reflects the mission of the podcast—creating unity without demanding uniformity. Life Beyond the Podcast A lot has happened during the brief break between episodes. Trey shares the excitement of watching his twin daughters graduate from Eastside High School and begin the next chapter at the University of Georgia. Orientation brought excitement, information overload, and the realization that college arrives much faster than parents expect. Gabriel talks about preparing for a much-needed vacation after balancing journalism, ministry, and community leadership. For the first time in more than two decades, he’ll be able to completely unplug from both professions simultaneously—a rare opportunity that he’s determined to embrace. The conversation also pauses to acknowledge the passing of longtime Richmond County Board of Education member Walter Eubanks, serving as a reminder that life is both precious and unpredictable. Why Travel Changes Perspective One of the highlights of the episode is Trey’s reflection on a family trip through England and Scotland. Instead of focusing on major tourist attractions, the family intentionally spent time in small fishing villages, rural countryside, and the Scottish Highlands. From driving narrow roads lined with towering hedges to exploring tiny island communities known for producing world-famous Scotch whisky, the experience offered something deeper than sightseeing. It offered perspective. As beautiful as the United Kingdom was, Trey admits that returning home reminded him how much he appreciates living in America. The conversation isn’t about comparing nations or claiming one is better than another. Instead, it’s about recognizing that travel often deepens appreciation for home while broadening appreciation for other cultures. Gabriel echoes that sentiment through his own international experiences, noting that seeing the world often strengthens gratitude for the place we call home. America Through Someone Else’s Eyes The discussion naturally shifts to the FIFA World Cup currently being hosted across North America. One of the unexpected joys has been watching international visitors experience American culture for the first time. Social media has been filled with visitors discovering everything from Buc-ee’s to Atlanta lemon pepper wings—and, perhaps most importantly, ranch dressing. It’s a lighthearted reminder that every culture has something unique to offer, and sometimes the simplest experiences become the most memorable. Those moments also reinforce one of the recurring themes of The Town Square Podcast: genuine relationships begin with curiosity rather than assumptions. The Future of The Town Square Podcast Perhaps the biggest announcement of the episode is where the podcast is headed next. After more than ninety episodes, Trey and Gabriel believe it’s time to expand—not by changing who they are, but by growing what they do. One exciting addition will feature young people taking over the microphones. Inspired by conversations with students through the TaylorMade Foundation and other community partnerships, the hosts plan to dedicate future episodes to student voices, allowing the next generation to lead conversations that matter to them. It’s an opportunity to showcase future journalists, communicators, civic leaders, and storytellers while giving listeners a fresh perspective on community issues. The hosts are equally excited about another new format: bringing together guests who approach important topics from different viewpoints. Not debates. Not arguments. Simply conversations. The goal is to model respectful dialogue between people who may disagree while helping listeners understand the humanity behind different perspectives. As Trey says, people often discover they agree on far more than they initially assumed. Expanding Beyond Newton County The Town Square has always been rooted in Newton County, but the conversation is beginning to grow. Future episodes may feature leaders from neighboring communities including Jasper, Rockdale, Walton, Morgan, and Henry counties. Each community faces unique opportunities and challenges, yet many are navigating similar questions about growth, education, development, public safety, and community identity. Learning from one another benefits everyone. A Podcast That Continues to Grow As the hosts reflect on more than ninety episodes together, they’re grateful for the audience that has made the journey possible. Whether listeners agree with every opinion expressed or challenge ideas presented on the show, they remain committed to creating a space where thoughtful conversation matters more than winning an argument. That’s what “unity, not uniformity” has always meant. Looking ahead, listeners can expect: More community leadersMore regional voicesYouth-led episodesConversations featuring differing perspectivesExpanded coverage across East Metro AtlantaContinued commitment to respectful dialogueThe format may evolve. The guests may change. The geography may expand. But the mission remains exactly the same. Because communities become stronger when people choose conversation over caricature and curiosity over conflict. The next chapter of The Town Square Podcast is just getting started. Visit www.TheTownSquarePodcast.com for all of the episodes, blog posts, advertising opportunities, and so much more.

  7. May 26

    DJ Seals: Scams, Second Chances & the Happiest Place on Earth — Episode 92

    After a full season of Candidate Conversations, The Town Square Podcast is back to regular programming — and Episode 92 brings us right back into the heart of what this show was built to do. This week, Trey Bailey sits down with Detective DJ Seals of the Covington Police Department for a conversation that is equal parts informative, funny, practical, personal, and deeply local. If you’ve been around Covington or Newton County for any amount of time, there’s a good chance you know DJ Seals — or at least you know his voice. Some know him from radio. Some know him from law enforcement. Some know him as the booming, joyful voice announcing Miracle League baseball games. Others know him from his years of community service, public safety work, and willingness to show up wherever he is needed. But in this episode, listeners get a fuller picture of DJ Seals: the broadcaster, the detective, the fraud investigator, the storyteller, the community servant, and the guy who has somehow lived enough interesting chapters to make Trey compare him to “the most interesting man in the world.” DJ, of course, laughed that off. But by the end of the episode, it was pretty clear Trey wasn’t completely wrong. From Radio Voice to Detective Seals The conversation begins with DJ’s name — literally. DJ stands for Daniel Jonathan, though almost everyone has always called him DJ. That made things especially amusing when he worked in radio, because people naturally assumed “DJ” was his radio name. It wasn’t. It was just his name. DJ talked about his early days in radio, including time at WGFS 1430 and later with Atlanta’s 104.7 The Fish. Trey remembered first connecting with him during his Eastridge Church days, when the church was hosting concert events and The Fish brought out its van and promotional team. That radio background matters because it helps explain part of what makes DJ such a compelling guest. He knows how to tell stories. He knows how to communicate. And now, in his role with the Covington Police Department, he is using those same skills to educate the public about fraud, scams, identity theft, and personal safety. DJ previously served with CPD before stepping away after a serious car accident and later moving into the world of law enforcement software. In that role, he worked with agencies across all 50 states and eight countries, helping teach best practices around real-time crime centers, drone systems, investigations, SWAT support, and technology tools. But recently, a conversation with Chief Brent Fuesting led DJ back to the badge. He had gone to the police department to drop off backpacks his church had prepared for homeless individuals and children who may be present during difficult law enforcement scenes. Those backpacks included small items like fidgets and comfort tools — simple things that can help a child regulate during stressful moments. One conversation with the chief turned into another. About a week later, DJ was back with the Covington Police Department. Fraud, Forgery, Identity Theft — and a Changing World DJ now focuses heavily on fraud, forgery, identity theft, and scams. Some of that work is familiar to him from his earlier law enforcement career, but the world has changed dramatically. Identity theft was still a relatively new concept when DJ first worked in this space. Laws were still catching up. Technology was evolving. Investigators often had to do much of the work by hand. Today, the tools are better. Unfortunately, so are the criminals. DJ explained that the core work of investigation is still the same, but the process has changed. Technology gives investigators more ways to track patterns and gather information, but it also gives scammers more ways to deceive, manipulate, and hide. And the scams themselves have evolved. The old stereotype was the “Nigerian prince” email — someone promising gold bars or a giant inheritance in exchange for a fee. DJ said today’s scams are often much more realistic. They look official. They use familiar institutions. They rely on public information. And most importantly, they are built around emotion. Fear and Love: The Two Big Hooks One of the strongest themes from the episode is DJ’s explanation that modern scams are less about greed and more about emotion. The old scams often worked by promising people money. Today’s scams usually work by creating fear or exploiting love. Fear shows up in fake toll notices, fake warrant threats, fake court documents, fake postal service claims, and fake Federal Trade Commission threats. A person receives a text, email, or phone call saying they owe money, missed court, have a warrant, or need to pay immediately to avoid arrest. Love shows up in relationship scams. DJ said relationship fraud is one of the biggest things he is seeing right now. These scams often begin on social media. A stranger comments on a photo, sends a message, finds a point of connection, and slowly builds trust. It is what DJ described as a “long con.” The scammer may spend weeks or months building what feels like a real relationship. Eventually, the request comes. Money for a car repair. Money for a child. Money for travel. Money for a medical issue. And once money starts moving, the losses can become devastating. DJ shared that his own aunt lost $180,000 in a relationship scam before the family knew what had happened. DJ confirmed that these stories are not rare, and they are heartbreaking because the victim often believes the relationship is real. That makes the investigator’s job even harder. DJ said one of the most difficult parts is not simply investigating the crime. It is helping the victim understand that they have been deceived. There is grief. There is shame. There is embarrassment. And DJ was clear: victims should not carry that shame. These scammers are professionals. This is what they do. They are trained, organized, and skilled at manipulation. The Rise of Bitcoin Scams Another major warning from DJ: be extremely cautious if anyone asks you to pay through a Bitcoin ATM. Fake warrant scams, relationship scams, and other fraud schemes increasingly route victims toward Bitcoin machines. The scammer tells the victim to deposit thousands of dollars into a Bitcoin ATM to clear a warrant, pay a fee, help a loved one, or resolve an urgent problem. DJ explained why this is so dangerous. Traditional financial institutions can be subpoenaed. Banks have fraud departments. Investigators can track certain transactions. Bitcoin is different. It is largely unregulated, often international, and can be extremely difficult to recover once money is sent. DJ described Bitcoin as the “Wild West.” His advice was blunt: if someone is asking you to put money into a Bitcoin machine, that is almost certainly a scam. Fake Warrants, Toll Texts, Funeral Scams, and More DJ walked through several common scams circulating right now. One is the fake toll text. Many people have received messages claiming they owe money for unpaid tolls. Those scams became so widespread that scammers eventually shifted into other tactics. One newer version is the fake warrant scam. A person receives a document or message saying there is a warrant for their arrest because they missed court. The document may include real-sounding language, fake seals, judge names, county references, or courthouse addresses. But DJ said there are usually clues. The county may not match. The judge may be from the wrong jurisdiction. The address may be wrong. The language may sound official, but the details do not hold together. The problem is that panic makes people miss those clues. DJ told the story of a friend who was standing at a gas station, ready to put thousands of dollars into a Bitcoin machine because he believed he had a warrant. DJ told him to walk away, calm down, sit in his truck, and actually read the document. Once the panic faded, the errors were obvious. Another emerging scam DJ mentioned is the funeral scam. Scammers read obituaries, gather family information, identify the funeral home, and call grieving relatives pretending to be from the funeral home. They may claim that insurance did not cover a final bill and ask for a credit card payment. It is cruel. It is targeted. And it works because people are grieving and vulnerable. Social Media: Would You Do This in Person? DJ offered a simple rule that may be the most memorable piece of advice from the episode: Would you do this in person? Would you give a stranger on the Covington Square $5,000 because they said their car broke down? Would you walk up to someone you have never met and tell them about your grandkids, your dog, your family, your church, your schedule, and your personal life? Most people would say no. But online, the barrier feels lower. There is a screen between people. There is a sense of safety. A person can seem kind, familiar, interested, and trustworthy. DJ said that is exactly what scammers exploit. His advice is not to stop talking to people altogether. It is to keep your guard up. Ask questions. Verify details. Do not assume a person is who they claim to be simply because they know a few facts about you. And if someone begins asking for money, gift cards, Bitcoin, favors, or urgent help — slow down. Ask questions. Call someone you trust. Call DJ. Call law enforcement. Do not let urgency make the decision for you. Protecting Older Adults and Vulnerable Loved Ones One of the most practical parts of the conversation centered on family members and caregivers. DJ said he currently has cases where the victim did not initiate the report. A caregiver or relative noticed something odd and reached out because they suspected their loved one was being scammed. That matters. If you have an older parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or friend who spends time on social media, pay attention. Not in a controlling way. In a caring way. If you see unfamiliar people commenting frequently o

  8. May 14

    Demond Mason: Service, Growth & District 2 Momentum | Candidate Conversations — Episode 91

    In this Candidate Conversations episode of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down with Commissioner Demond Mason, the current Newton County Board of Commissioners representative for District 2 and a candidate for re-election. Mason shares how his journey began far from Newton County, growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before moving to Georgia, buying his first home in Newton County, and eventually feeling called into public service. What began as a desire to serve his community through ministry, outreach, and local involvement eventually became a run for county commission in 2018. For Mason, public service is deeply connected to ministry. He describes elected office as a way to serve people, listen to their concerns, educate residents about how government works, and advocate for the needs of his district. Throughout the conversation, Mason reflects on nearly eight years in office and points to several District 2 projects he is proud of, including the widening of Salem Road, improvements at Denny Dobbs Park, the county’s first splash pad and skate park, the new Senior Enrichment Center, and ongoing work toward a future recreation and aquatic center. A major theme of the episode is growth. District 2 is the smallest commission district geographically, but Mason notes that it carries the highest population density in Newton County. Because of that, he says infrastructure, commercial development, public safety, and quality of life are all deeply connected. Mason discusses his support for economic development, including new retail growth along the Salem Road and Brown Bridge corridors, and explains how he tries to balance residential growth with the need for restaurants, entertainment, services, jobs, and commercial investment closer to where District 2 residents live. The conversation also explores public safety, including Mason’s support for increased sheriff’s office funding, more deputy presence in District 2, and the creation of the Westside precinct. Mason says visible law enforcement presence is an important quality-of-life issue for residents. Trey and Mason also talk about the role of partisanship in local government. Mason, a Democrat, emphasizes that while candidates may run under party labels, governing requires serving everyone. He says residents do not ask for road repairs, trash pickup, or county services as Democrats or Republicans — they ask as people who deserve responsive government. Toward the end of the episode, Mason highlights issues he believes deserve more attention, especially Newton County’s unsheltered population. He discusses efforts to connect housing, mental health resources, substance abuse support, workforce training, and job placement into a more complete pathway for people in need. As Mason asks voters for another term, he frames his candidacy around servant leadership, accessibility, experience, and unfinished work in District 2. For more information on Commissioner Demond Mason check out his website here: Demond Mason 4 Commissioner Episode Sponsors SCB Construction Group SCB Construction Group is a locally owned, community-driven commercial construction company and an Engineering News-Record Top 100 Southeast contractor. SCB specializes in turnkey design-build, design-bid, and commercial contracting services for projects ranging from manufacturing facilities and distribution centers to churches, sports complexes, office spaces, and retail buildings. Learn more at scbcg.com. Main Street Land and Properties Main Street Land and Properties provides commercial and residential property management, brokerage services, real estate development, and construction management. Located at 2141 Emory Street NW in Covington, Main Street serves as a trusted partner for buying, selling, investing, managing, and developing property. Learn more at mslap.com.

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Not just another podcast, but a place to meet in the messy middle and have difficult discussions with transparency and diplomacy where the outcome is unity, not uniformity. The primary topics will be the local interests of Newton County, Georgia residents and those in the surrounding community.

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