August 17, 2001

Philip C. Ristow
Corporation Counsel
Jefferson County Corporation Counsel
Courthouse, Room 209
320 South Main Street
Jefferson, WI 53549-1799

RE: Your letter dated July 26, 2001

Dear Phil and County Board Supervisors:

This letter is submitted to you on behalf of the JCEDC Board of Directors who met on August 16th 2001. For six years the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation has made a significant impact on economic development activities in Jefferson County. We will continue to have a positive impact on the area's economic vitality, if we maintain the ability to do our job effectively.

The JCEDC provides professional, valuable and cost effective economic development services. The JCEDC must keep sensitive business communications and records confidential. The effectiveness of a successful economic development corporation hinges on confidentiality; it is the cornerstone of our relationship with existing local businesses and future business prospects for our communities.

A dedicated, volunteer, Board of Directors, who represent all areas of our county, oversees the activities of the JCEDC. We are all professionals who understand the importance of fiscal accountability to our investors.

We believe the county board understands and supports these fundamentals.

In accordance with our contract, the JCEDC has made two quarterly reports to the county's budget committee in addition, on July 17th, we have provided you, in response to your letter, numerous reports, documents and summaries of various activities. JCEDC intends to fulfill our contract and will continue to report our activities to the Budget Committee and the County Board.

The wide variety of additional records, (e-mails, phone bills, faxes, etc) that were requested, in your letter of July 26, are not subject to the open records law, and as such will not be categorized as "available, non-existent, or privileged."

Our Board of Directors values the longstanding relationship with Jefferson County and look forward to their continued support of our future economic development services.

Respectfully yours,

Sheldon Mielke, President
JCEDC

CC: JCEDC Board of Directors