             validateMatrix();
     }
 
-    private static var xformPt:Point;
-
     /**
      *  @copy mx.core.ILayoutElement#transformAround()
      *  

        features.layoutWidth = width;  // for the mirror transform      
        _layoutFeatures = features;
        invalidateTransform();
    }

    /**

                                           position:Vector3D, 
                                           postLayoutPosition:Vector3D):void
    {
        TransformUtil.transformPointToParent(this,
                                             localPosition,
                                             position,
                                             postLayoutPosition,
                                             _layoutFeatures);
    }

    /**
