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John Foust - JCEDC

 

Open Up the JCEDC!

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Introduction

I remain very curious about the purpose and accomplishments of the JCEDC.  I've tried unsuccessfully for several years to see their records or attend their meetings.  It's clear that the JCEDC does not desire any sort of public participation.  Like the JDC and CIA in Jefferson, they simply want a meddling Executive Director on the public payroll under their direction, combined with no public oversight or chance for participation.

Earlier in the summer of 1999, I'd asked the JCEDC's Executive Director Marilyn Haroldson to see any records of the JCEDC, such as their by-laws and minutes.  She refused, claiming that the JCEDC was specifically created as a private corporation that contracts with the County and its municipalities in order to avoid Wisconsin's open meeting and open records laws.

In this January 18, 2000 letter to the JCEDC President, I ask why the JCEDC is closed to public participation, and why its records are not public, even though this group's entire funding comes from County and municipal taxes.  I received no response.

Also on January 18, 2000, I asked Dan Gebauer of Jefferson County Human Services why the JCEDC pays a significantly lower per-square-foot rent in the new Workforce Development building on Collins Road.  I received no response.  In January 2001, I asked again and received an answer. In short, W-2 partners pay more, and UW-Extension and JCEDC pay the same rate.

This December 8, 2000 letter was sent to the County Board in early December 2000 regarding their planned funding of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC).

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