News

  
 

SAYING GOODBYE

COLE GARDNER

Cole James Gardner, 50, of Malad, ID, passed away tragically while doing what he loved, Thursday, April 29, 2010, in the desert of Nevada while drilling a well.

 

Cole was born January 8, 1960, in Malad, ID, to Bernard and Betty Kay Gardner.  He married Lori in 1982 and instantly took on the role of being a proud dad to Tyson.  Together they were blessed with two girls, Rainie and Colbie.  He also loved his grandchildren, Riley, Shayla, Dakota, and A.J.  Cole graduated from Malad High School and attended ISU.

 

Cole was proud to be a fourth-generation water well driller.  His work was not only legendary in Idaho and the surrounding states, but as far as Hawaii, Guam, and Palau.

 

Cole lived for the challenge of finding water where no one else could.  His wife often teased (that) he had water running through his veins.  His witching tools were really like magic wands, though he never told anyone.  One of his many accomplishments was buying his drilling rigs.

 

He was always spontaneous and unpredictable.  He enjoyed fishing, painting, and traveling.  He had a big heart and was willing to give anyone the shirt off his back.  Not only this, but his caring and genuine personality made him friends everywhere he went.

 

Cole was preceded in death by his mother, father and older brother, Jason Charles Gardner.  He is survived by his wife of 28 years, children, and grandchildren.

 

Funeral services (were) held on Thursday, May 6, 2010, at noon in the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N., Malad, Idaho.  Burial (followed) in the Malad City Cemetery.  Condolences may be sent to www.horsleyfuneralhome.com.  The family requests that donations be made to the Cole Gardner Trust account that is set up under Tyson Christensen’s name at Ireland Bank, 33 Bannock St., Malad, ID 83252.

 

 

JOHN E. GIRTON, JR.

John E. Girton Jr., 56, of Murray, Utah, passed this life at 3:25 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, 2010.

 

He was born Aug. 21, 1953, to John E. Girton and Barbara (Woollard) Girton in Danville, Ill., they preceded him in death.


Survivors include his daughter, Alicia Zaccarelli (Jimmie Evans) and their children, Taylor and Cole Zaccarelli, and Callie Evans of Oakwood, Ill. He also is survived by his brother, Lance Girton of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Lance’s two sons, Lance Alan Girton of Salt Lake City and Derek (Laura) Girton, and their sons, Zachery and Kyle of Oakwood; his brother, Jerald (Jackie) Girton and their daughter, Kristi; and his sister, Janis (Ray) Dunn all of Oakwood. Also surviving is his special friend, Sherry Worthen of Kearns, Utah, and their dog, Beau.

 

John graduated from Oakwood High School in 1971, where he excelled in athletics. He attended Baylor University in Texas and Danville Junior College in Illinois.  He was the branch manager at Kelly Pipe, where he made many wonderful friends and thoroughly enjoyed his work.   He had also worked at Brown-Strauss and Danville Steel.  John loved spending time with his daughter and grandchildren, and taking Beau for long drives in the mountains. He enjoyed being in the desert and the mountains, listening to music, playing the keyboard and reading.  

No services were held per John’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to: Oakwood Community Education Foundation, Attn: Laura Girton/Terri White, P.O. Box 654, Oakwood, IL 61858 or Intermountain Homecare Hospice Program, 2250 South 1300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119. Condolences may be sent to the family at valleyviewfuneral.com.ed   (Idaho State Journal on May 5, 2010.) 

 
 

IDAHO LEGISLATURE APPROVES WELL CONSTRUCTION RULES

Over the last 2 1/2 years, the Idaho Ground Water Association and the Idaho Department of Water Resources have been diligently working on a new set of Well Construction Rules for the Industry.  There were a total of 17 Negotiated Rulemaking sessions that took place.  The IGWA also held 32 individual Board meetings (usually on Monday evenings from 6-9 PM) to review and discuss the most current issue or DRAFT of the Rules.  Needless to say, these Rules had been hammered and put through the sausage grinder before going before the Water Resource Board the second time.
 
The IGWA Board of Directors approved the July 9, 2008 DRAFT of the Rules by a measure of 6-2 with one absent and one abstaining vote.  Members of the IGWA Board testified in front of the Water Resource Board on July 17th in Coeur d' Alene in support of the Rules, which were adopted by the Water Resource Board.
 
Most recently, members of the IGWA and the Industry (through an outstanding team effort) helped the Rules pass through the Idaho State Legislature.  The vote in the Senate Natural Resource Committee was 8-1 in favor and in the House Resource & Conservation Committee 5-1 in the sub-committee and 18-0 in the full Committee. 
 
I want to personally thank the members of the IGWA Board of Directors (Henry Baker, Roger Buchanan, Tom Richardson, Steve Baker, Rob Dawson) and others in the Ground Water Industry (Mark Hiddleston and Sylvan Adamson to name a few) for taking the time away from your businesses and homes to attend the hearings and speak in support of these Rules on behalf of your interests and on behalf of protecting our precious Ground Water Resource during the 2009 Legislative Session.  Without your message to the Legislature, these Rules would not have been approved.
 
I also want to personally thank the Idaho Department of Water Resources (Director Tuthill, Gary Spackman, Tom Neace, Chad Hersley and Rob Whitney) for listening to our Industry's needs and concerns throughout the process and for their continued support of our Association and our Industry. 
 

Roger Batt - Executive Director

 
   
 

Contact IGWA at:               IGWA  |  55 SW 5th Ave, Suite 100  |  Meridian, ID  83642

                                         ph: 208-888-0988  |  fx: 208-888-4586  |  roger@amgidaho.com

  
       
 
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