Information about Upcoming Meetings and Classes
offered through Rain Bird
http://www.rainbird.com/training/
To get more info email training@rainbird.com or
call the Rain Bird Training Dept. at 1-800-498-1942.
Click here for the 2008-2009 Rain Bird Training Guide

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view or print the Training Guide. If you do not have the reader,
click the "Get Acrobat" button for a free download.

Information about Upcoming Meetings and Classes
offered through Smith Turf & Irrigation- Charlotte
Click here to download the Fall Seminar Information
You can also email John Sullivan at John.Sullivan@smithturf.com
if you have any questions.

You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to
view or print the Fall Seminar file. If you do not have the reader,
click the "Get Acrobat" button for a free download.

Information about Upcoming Meetings and Classes
offered through Smith Turf & Irrigation- Raleigh
January 20-21: CIC Class
January 22: Exam
Smith Turf & Irrigation 7401 ACC Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27617
Limited to 24 in class, based on facility size.
You can also email Brad Comer at brad.comer@smithturf.com
if you have any questions.

Information about Upcoming Meetings and Classes
offered through John Deere Landscapes
John Deere Landscapes is offering the Certified Irrigation Contractor
class and exam during our John Deere Landscapes University
January 28-30, 2009
For more information contact Kathy Sampson at ksampson@johndeerelandscapes.com or call 704-896-9969.

President's Message

Summer has arrived, sometimes really hot and I’ve noticed that while the spring brought many showers, the ground is becoming dry again. We all have visions of last summer’s drought and kind of shudder. We wait for water restrictions to come into play. We not only have water issues, but look at the fuel prices. We’re all feeling the impact of higher fuel costs to keep our vehicles and equipment running. I wish I had some magic answers but I don’t.

There are some simple things to do to conserve fuel. See separate article. I think, too, we need to let our Congressmen know how we feel about fuel prices and encourage them to seek some resolution, whether it is alternative fuels or drilling our own oil reserves. It just doesn’t seem right that in the United States, a country rich in resources, that we have to contend with fuel costs that seem to have no cap and to continue to depend on foreign oil. Well, that’s my 2 cents worth on this subject. I’ll keep the rest of my thoughts to myself!

We, as an industry, are more conscious of conserving water than we have ever been and I, personally, appreciate the effort of the North Carolina Green Industry Council for its efforts to educate the legislators as well as end users about conservation in NC. We don’t have a GIC in South Carolina, but I realize the importance of this organization and the impact it has had in organizing the troops in NC.

It has been said that there are reasons things happen. The CIA has been interested in creating a license for irrigation contractors for several years. I believe as a result of last year’s severe drought conditions we may have a license sooner than later. The focus of CIA over the past many months has been to seek legislative support for a bill that will create this license. The premise of the bill is water conservation and accountability. I want to thank Bill Sparrow, Jr. for leading the Legislative Committee in this effort. Others I can think of who have been a tremendous help include Chris Hunt, Craig Taylor, Jim Garvey, John Marmorato, David Williams, Ron Sneed, Patrick Freeman, and I’m sure that I am omitting someone. Forgive me if I have. Many members wrote their legislative delegation to seek support of the bill and those efforts seem to have paid off well. See update of the bill’s progress below.

There are many issues that we all deal with on a daily basis, but I love this business and I know I’m not alone. I always enjoy the opportunity to get together with other contractors and distributors to swap stories and tidbits of knowledge that might save money and generate ideas for my business. I encourage you to hang in there. We have issues, but I don’t know of a business that doesn’t have issues of some kind. We get stronger as we face the issues and come out on the other end maybe with a few scars, but nonetheless a bit stronger and wiser.
Have a great summer. I wish you prosperity in your business and good health to enjoy it.

Tripp Merritt, President

About Carolinas Irrigation Association

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