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NCRWA.COM|
Fall 2015
O
n September 21, 2015 Icard Township Water
Corporation, a nonprofit water corporation,
held an event to dedicate our office building
in honor of Mr. Jim Gorsuch. Jim’s legacy
with Icard Water began in 1970 with his
nomination and appointment to the original
Icard Water Board as a director. Icard Water
at this point was still a very young well water
distribution system. They had been pumping
water for only four years. Icard Water started
from humble beginnings after receiving the
startup capital from a Farmers Home loan.
In a conversation I had with Jim recently, he
recalled those early days meeting in a small
office trailer adjoining the property where
our new office now resides.
Jim continued to be very involved serving on
several local boards as well as on the Icard
Water board. In March of 1978, a pump station
was built, serving the needs of the community.
Jim was instrumental in plans to expand the
system and in negotiating contracts to begin
purchasing treated water for a more reliable
source. In February of 1983, Mr. Gorsuch was
elected as President. In addition to his duties
as President and through his experience in a
career with IBM, Jim installed computers in
the office and wrote and modified program
for billing and payroll to customize it for
the needs of the water system’s business. He
also maintained the computer equipment and
software for several years. Jim has continued
to serve as President, now in his thirty-second
year as a leader.
In more recent years Jim has stayed involved
alongside me in contract negotiation with
surrounding towns, grant projects, line
extensions, and tank additions. Mr. Gorsuch
has become a role model as well as mentor.
Through our weekly meetings to discuss
the current business of the system to the
monthly Board meeting and decision
making Jim has been and continues to be a
great resource, and occasionally a sounding
board that makes the job I have to do much
better. As I thought through the process of
planning this dedication event, I reflected
on what to say. How could I honor this
man with words? How could I portray the
significance of the life of service that began
long before I was born? This proved to be
more difficult than I anticipated. I began
the process of writing the inscription to be
cast in bronze and permanently affixed to
the building recognizing the significance of
Jim’s devotion.
Jim was very involved in the entire process
from the design, layout, to grading and
construction materials used in the completion
of the office building that now bears his
name. His vision for how the building should
flow and function for the staff as well as the
public shows in every aspect of this very
efficient space. His concern for projecting
a professional perception is most evident
in the finishes and furnishings. I am proud
to call the office building I work in the Jim
Gorsuch Building.
My hope and aspiration for this building is
that it’s not seen as just a location to pay
your water bill, but as a home, a home to
a dedicated staff and a committed board of
directors that will continue the work that
Jim Gorsuch started so many years before
us. We will show honor not in words, but
in dedication and commitment to providing
quality water and customer service to all our
members and our community.
I truly believe the work happening in this
building is of great significance. Jim, thank
you for your service to this water system and
this community. You truly have a gift that we
all can benefit from.
member spotlight
Icard Water Dedicates Office Building
By Jonathan R. Pons, Executive Director/GM, Icard Township Water Corporation