For example, a single-family residential house may be assessed by the county assessor at the amount of $100,000.
This is considered the assessed value or the 100% value of the property. When you apply the FY26 rollback of 47.4316%, now the taxable value of the same property is $47,461.60 which means that taxing entities (schools, cities, counties, etc.) can levy a portion on the smaller amount of $47,431.60 vs. the full 100% value of $100,000.
Each city in Iowa receives pre-allocated property tax revenues for the upcoming budget year based upon a Consolidated General Fund Levy (CGFL) which varies from city to city. These revenues allow cities to provide essential services to residents including police and fire emergency services, street repairs, snow removal and city general maintenance; and the equipment and staff needed to provide these services. The CGFL revenues also allow for cities to have parks, trials, recreation programs, library services and city facilities.
By January the city staff have the forecasted expenses from the departments and the received information on the expected property tax revenues from the county (based on the state rollback process) and present a draft budget for city council review. The City Council reviews the draft budget with the directors to discuss the essential operating needs for the department.
The proposed FY26 Expenditures are shown at right for the General Fund, which are primarily funded by property taxes:
Once the City Council has decided the priorities and essential needs of the city for the upcoming budget year, they set a levy rate which determines what portion of property tax paid by residents will be directed to the city.
The current FY25 city levy rate is 11.21346. The Solon City Council has reduced the levy rate for FY26 by 20 cents to 11.01255. The table at the top of the next column shows how that city levy rate is applied based upon the taxable valuation of a property and the state rollback rate.
Helping their peers
4th grade girl scout troop 3708 spent Sunday afternoon learning about their bodies thanks to Kristin Orr, MD. They also made over 100 period packs/blossom bags to donate to their peers at SIS. A huge thank you to Give Grace Give Hope, Inc out of Des Moines for their support of this project.
Ideally a lower city levy rate would equate to lower taxes due, however, because the assessor’s valuation can change, and the state rollback changes yearly, lower taxes isn’t always the case.
Property taxes are comprised of several public agencies levy asking. When a resident pays their property taxes twice a year in March and September, the dollars are then distributed among these public entities based upon what they requested on their annual budget.
For the current FY25 budget year, the residents within the city limits of Solon property taxes are collected and distributed as shown at right:
Source: Johnson County Iowa https://www.johnsoncountyiowa. gov/
In comparison to the other cities in Johnson County, Solon has the third lowest city property tax levy in the county for this current fiscal year and has held third lowest place for several years.
STAFF
Janeen Moses | Contributed photo
OPINIONS
If you're an Iowan, you're probably a gardener
Food for Thought
Milli Gilbaugh
Gardening starts right after Christmas when the seed catalogs and gardening center ads arrive. After long weeks of disagreeable weather, we are eager for outdoor activities. The promise of fresh baby peas, crisp radishes and crinkly early spinach sends us out to the garden plot to turn the sod and dream of tomato seedlings and onion sets. We check for signs of emergent spikes of rhubarb and asparagus and smile back at the first brave crocus blossoms. All this leads, of course, to the order blanks at the back of the seed catalog (it's fortunate they have thoughtfully provided several order blanks, because at this early date we are sure to change our minds about what to order.)
Remembering past garden successes and disasters is a necessary step in raising a successful garden. Few of us bother to keep a garden diary and only recognize the wisdom of such an effort when we encounter problems that remind us we failed to solve the same mysteries in the past and are no more enlightened this time. For now, we're allowed to operate in the realm of the ideal, so fill that order blank all the way to the last line. Do not send it! You'll have a shorter, more realistic version later.
I think my interest in gardening began the summer my dad planted peanuts. That's right – peanuts in Iowa. In the late 1930's, just about everybody had a garden and a few fruit trees, grape vines or a berry patch. If your yard was big enough, you probably had a few chickens, a goat or even a cow, for milk. Most adults had grown up on farms and inherited the urge to grow their own food. We lived in a house with a large lot. The house and lawn faced the public street and took up about half the lot. The private back yard sloped downhill, turning gradually into a small orchard and garden with grape vines climbing a fence separating our property from the next-door neighbor.
I was about four years old and a dedicated daddy's girl, usually found eagerly “helping” with whatever he was doing. He showed me how deep to poke the little onion sets into the soil and how to mix the littlest seeds with sand so they would have room to grow into lettuce, carrots and radishes. I learned to let the late spinach go to seed to insure those crinkly, early leaves next spring. We built a miniature greenhouse from unused storm windows and started tomato, cabbage and bell pepper plants for adding to the garden in May when the threat of frost was past. We buried potato “eyes” in trenches filled with a mixture of soil and last fall's dead leaves so it would be easy to pull out some early “baby” potatoes to go with the plump, sweet peas in Mother's buttery cream sauce.
Always eager to show us girls the wonders of nature, he ordered raw peanuts from the seed catalog and we prepared a trench next to the grapevines, filled it with a sand and soil mix and planted the peanuts. I had expected to see peanuts following the blossoms as on the pea and green bean plants, and was amazed when we later found them underground, clinging in clusters among the roots. Over the years, Dad introduced me to such oddities as tomatillos and golden ground-cherries, both of which grow their fruit neatly wrapped in papery husks. We harvested gherkins like prickly cucumbers and gourds, inedible but decorative, that we dried until the seeds rattled inside. Some were multi-colored and small enough to make interesting additions to autumn bouquets. Others, large enough to be turned into hanging birdhouses. We left the seeds inside as welcoming gifts to the first renters.
I learned about the insects that hang around a vegetable garden. The fat black and yellow spiders didn't bite and I often played with them, letting them crawl along my hands and arms before gently releasing them back among the tomato plants where they waited for their lunch to creep by. I learned that lady-bugs were good for the garden, eliminating aphids, and that those squishy green tomato worms could be coaxed onto a stick and dropped into a soup can of kerosene without having to actually touch them. And I learned to “graze” in the garden and relish the earthy taste of tiny carrots and radishes that had to be sacrificed from crowded rows.
Friends should not treat each other this way
Stray Thoughts
Canadian customs check.
Growing up in the 1950s, Evans family vacations seem typical by rural Midwest standards: car trips to the Ozarks, the Black Hills, Nauvoo and New Salem in Illinois, or St. Louis for a Cardinals baseball game.
But one memorable summer trip, around 1960, occurred when we motored north through Minnesota to Canada, the only foreign country my parents ever visited and a place more exotic than the Wisconsin Dells.
Exotic? Absolutely. This trip *required* us to stop at the border and clear a
Well, in our case, we *should* have stopped at the border. Instead, we learned a finer point of international travel.
With Dad at the wheel of our Dodge Coronet, with Mom comfortable in the front seat, and with three rambunctious boys squeezed into the seat in the back, we rolled right through the rural border checkpoint without slowing or stopping.
Then the sirens began wailing.
Dad made a U-turn and took us back to the port of entry. There, a Canadian customs official politely explained we were welcome to enter Canada and he hoped we would enjoy our visit, but we did need to stop to check in first.
Dad took the lecture politely — although he told us when he got back into the car, he was tempted to ask the border guard if he could pass gas in Canada or if he would need to return to the United States to do that.
Since then, our nations have shared more consequential and memorable interactions.
In November 1979, militants stormed the United States embassy in Tehran, Iran, and took 52 employees hostage, including Iowa native Katherine Koob. Six other U.S. diplomats sneaked away, finding refuge at Canada’s embassy. Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor provided them secret sanctuary inside his home.
His was not a mere polite act of kindness. The ambassador and his American guests faced risks of harm, or death, if militants discovered their hiding place.
Three months later, in a clandestine effort organized by Canadian officials and the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, the six diplomats escaped Iran using fake Canadian passports and forged Iranian travel documents.
Many details of this rescue stayed secret for 30 years. Yet, the world always knew how the Canadians put their own safety in jeopardy to free the six Americans.
Once news broke that the hostages made it out of Iran safely, billboards went up along the heavily travelled route between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. The billboards bore a simple, heartfelt message: “Thank You, Canada.”
Canadians were deserving of a similar “thank you” on September 11, 2001, in the wake of 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacking and crashing four airliners that morning in New York City, Washington, D.C., and rural Pennsylvania.
Once the scope of the attacks became apparent, the FAA grounded all commercial airline traffic
over or destined for the United States. In one of the most improbable stories from 9/11, 38 passenger jets carrying 7,000 travelers landed in the small Canadian community of Gander, Newfoundland, nearly doubling the city’s population.
The people of Gander rallied to care for these unexpected visitors. For the next few days, until the United States reopened the skies, the people of Gander housed, fed, clothed, and tended to the emotional and medical needs of their guests, tucking them into schools, churches and homes.
The Canadians’ hospitality, genuine kindness and compassion are seen as an enduring symbol of the spirit of human kindness in the face of adversity.
These examples of Canadians’ goodness, without expectation of favor or praise, seem so out of place when contrasted with President Donald Trump’s ugly comments about Canada in recent weeks.
At no time during those frightful days after 9/11 did the people of Gander snipe about the Americans taking advantage of their hospitality. The people of Gander never unleashed unkind comments about their American guests. The people of Gander never demanded the visitors “pay up.”
Friends do not forget. Friends do not threaten annexation or takeovers. Friends deserve respect.
Yet few seem surprised our president talks of redrawing the border to give the U.S. dominion over the Great Lakes, or bringing Canada to its knees economically with tariffs, or annexing all of Canada as the U.S.’s 51st state.
Few American politicians fact-check our president’s claim that Canada is a big source of illegal fentanyl in the United States, even though Canadian officials document how their customs agents seize far more drugs and guns being smuggled *from* the U.S.
With our president now blaming Canada for taking advantage of the U.S. in trade, it is important to remember how he described the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement his administration negotiated and signed in 2018. During his first term, he called the USMCA “the most significant trade deal ever made.”
The byproducts of our president’s rhetoric are real. Canadian kindness and goodwill have given away to booing when American hockey teams play in Canada — matches when, traditionally, fans from both nations applaud the singing of “O, Canada” and “The StarSpangled Banner.”
Further, according to the OAG travel data company, airline bookings for trips from Canada to the United States in the next six months have fallen by 70 percent compared with a year ago.
These developments correlate to White House rhetoric and signal the two nations’ relationship is in distress.
The comments of Nikki Haley, the United Nations ambassador during our president’s first term, apply in this context.
She recently said: “Times are changing in this world, and that’s not a bad thing. But my hope is that America is never so arrogant to think we don’t need friends. After 9/11 we needed a lot of friends. Thank God they were there for us. Don’t ever forget that.”
Many of us have not forgotten.
Yet, sadly, our president’s oral flatulence casts to the wind that Canada is our closest friend, rather than a foe he should criticize, control, or conquer.
Randy Evans can be reached at DMRevans2810@gmail.com.
With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Q: What are “universal injunctions?”
A: An injunction is a court order requiring someone to do or stop doing a specific action. Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO) are similar to injunctions but are short term, unappealable orders from the court directing someone to take or not take some action until the court can review more fully. Historically, injunctions and TROs were limited to the parties before the court. But in recent years, we’ve seen an eruption of court orders that apply far beyond the parties directly before the court — sometimes even the entire country. These universal injunctions, commonly referred to
as “nationwide” injunctions, are an unconstitutional abuse of judicial power because they exceed Article III’s limitation whereby the judiciary may only resolve “cases” or “controversies” before the court.
President Trump’s return to the White House has hit Washington like a hurricane. He’s keeping promises he made during the election that won a historic, decisive comeback victory. And yet, the lower courts are undermining the president’s work on behalf of the American people: the surge of universal injunctions are unilaterally derailing public policies being implemented by the executive branch.
Randy Evans
Iowa Freedom of Information Council
Universal injunctions have been used disproportionately to stop President Trump’s agenda, in both his first and second terms. Over two-thirds of all universal injunctions issued over the past 25 years were levied against the first Trump administration. And in the first 100 days of Trump’s second term, the lower courts have issued more universal injunctions than President Biden faced in four years. Among the numerous Justices who have voiced concern, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan has voiced disapproval of this precedent-breaking legal phenomenon, whereby individual district court judges are blocking federal government policies nationwide. It sidesteps the process of representative government by short-circuiting the implementation of policies made by elected leaders. Instead, it emboldens unelected judges who are sitting on the federal bench with lifetime appointments to make policy. Judges aren’t policymakers – that's Congress’ job. And it’s the president’s job to execute laws. President Trump is carrying out the promises he made on the campaign trail. His opponents are misusing the lower courts to blunt the constitutional authority vested in the president.
Q: Does Congress have the authority to rein in the lower courts?
A: The founders enshrined the separation of powers in the Constitution and ensured one branch would not supersede the authority of the others by establishing our system of checks and balances. For example, Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution ordains Congress as the sole creator and organizer of the lower courts. The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the three-tiered hierarchy of the federal judiciary. So, the answer is yes, Congress has a constitutional responsibility to require the federal judiciary to stay in its constitutional lane.
The recent spate of universal injunctions tells me
things have gotten out of whack. The orders being handed down from district court judges undermine the authority of the executive branch and overstep the authority of the lower courts. These rapid decisions also place undue stress on the judicial system by inserting political calculation into the selection of the judges and the resolution of legal disputes. Put more simply, litigants are judge-shopping and forum-shopping for a particular outcome. The judicial process is supposed to involve careful and deliberative review. Instead, it’s being used as an expedited means to a political end. Article III of the Constitution tasks the judicial branch with settling “cases” and “controversies.” Judges are meant to only resolve the dispute before them. So, it’s imperative to rein in this unconstitutional overreach once and for all. The Supreme Court could fix this problem. If it won’t, Congress must.
As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I’m urging lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to join me to put a check on this breach of authority. I convened a hearing to examine the bipartisan problem of universal injunctions and legislative solutions to fix it. After all, both Republicans and Democrats have cheered or criticized the policy implications from universal injunctions, including this senator. Now, we should all band together to fix the problem.
I introduced the Judicial Relief Clarification Act to restore the constitutional role of lower courts by restraining their ability to issue universal injunctions. My bill would make temporary restraining orders against the government immediately appealable. The appellate process guarantees our judicial system retains its deliberative nature. What’s more, it would help prevent rash, biased decisions handed down in the heat of the political moment. It’s time to rein in unchecked authority from the lower courts that damages the separation of powers and undermines public confidence in the courts.
Treasurer Smith highlighting IAble for ABLE to Save Month
Jacob Holck Public Affairs, Office of the State Treasurer of
Iowa
DES MOINES – State Treasurer Roby Smith is celebrating ABLE to Save Month, a nationwide campaign recognized each April, by spreading the word about the IAble (Iowa’s Achieving a Better Life Experience) plan and the advantages it brings to eligible individuals with a disability.
“IAble can really make a difference and help individuals with disabilities achieve a better life experience,” said Treasurer Smith. “One of the biggest advantages of the plan is that eligible individuals can save without jeopardizing the benefits they count on.”
ABLE to Save Month is a national education and outreach campaign dedicated to highlighting the benefits
Hail Claims
Sonya Sellmeyer Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
Hailstorms can cause significant damage to homes, vehicles, and other property, leading to costly repairs. Understanding how to handle an insurance claim after a hail storm can make the process smoother. Taking preventive measures can help mitigate future damage and reduce potential losses.
After a hailstorm and when it is safe, inspect your property. Look for signs of damage to your roof, siding, windows, and outdoor structures. Look for interior damage due to leaks. Hail can also dent vehicles and damage landscaping. Mitigate further damage by using tarps, covering any broken windows or other openings to your home. Understand your insurance coverage before filing a claim. If the damage appears to be over your deductible, contact your insurance agent or com-
pany to file a claim. Policies may have exclusions or specific deductibles for hail damage, and claim filing deadlines. Take photos and videos of the affected areas. Provide the insurance company with a detailed description of the damage, along with the photographs and videos. The company will guide you through the claims process and may send an adjuster to inspect the property. If you purchased items such as tarps to mitigate further damage, save receipts so you may be reimbursed later.
Be present while the insurance adjuster assesses the damage, and point out all affected areas. It is advisable to seek estimates from at least two registered contractors for repair costs. Working with a contractor you know and trust is ideal, and always check the online reviews and references of any contractor you hire. Be cautious of fraudulent contractors who appear after storms, as they may not
of ABLE accounts like IAble. The month-long event aims to provide information to families and support systems to ensure they’re aware of a benefit they may not know about.
IAble is a financial tool eligible individuals and their support system can use to save money for their shortand long-term goals. When placed in an IAble account, the money is protected from the asset caps placed on Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and other means-tested benefits. Savings and earnings can be used for transportation, housing, food, assistive technology and other qualified disability expenses.
To learn more, visit IAble.gov or call (888) 609-8910. For additional details, read the Plan Disclosure Booklet. Connect with the Treasurer on Facebook, Instagram and X to stay informed on current events and updates.
have your best interests in mind.
Once the adjuster completes their report, your insurance company will provide you with the claims settlement based on the terms of the policy and the covered loss. Review it carefully and negotiate using the contractors’ estimate which will be for any damage they discover. There may be differences between these two estimates. Only the insured, an attorney, or a licensed public adjuster can negotiate on behalf of the insured. Once you agree on a settlement, proceed with the repairs. You may be responsible for damages the insurance company has not agreed to.
Taking proactive measures can help minimize future damage from hailstorms. Upgrading to Class 4 impact-resistant shingles can significantly reduce the risk of roof damage and may also qualify for insurance discounts.
Regular maintenance, such as inspecting and repairing loose shingles and cleaning gutters, helps prevent water damage caused by hailstorms. Ensure trees are properly pruned to pre-
vent limbs from causing additional damage during storms.
Whenever possible, park vehicles in a garage. Store patio furniture, grills, and other outdoor equipment to prevent damage.
By promptly assessing hail damage, understanding your policy, and working with reputable contractors, you can navigate a hail claim efficiently. Additionally, taking proactive measures can help mitigate future hail damage. By being prepared, homeowners can better protect their investments and minimize the impact of severe weather events.
Solon Hardware Store celebrates 50 years in business
A family owned business that remains a Solon staple
SOLON — Tom Trump first stepped into the Solon Hardware store in February of 1975. He was just 12 years old, tasked with helping his parents, Dean and Carolyn Trump, take inventory of what was left in the store from the previous owners. Dean passed away in 1996 and since then Tom has worked tirelessly to keep the family business running.
Originally from Cedar Rapids, Tom said his parents were drawn to the store’s location in Solon, which sits between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Each year Trump aged, he took on more and more responsibility around the store. He went from helping out in the store to providing service repairs, always mentored by Dean. Little did he know the hardware store would be the center of his career for many years to come.
On February 1st, this year, the store, which has been a Solon staple for decades, celebrated its 50th anniversary
A LOOK INSIDE:
under the ownership of the Trump family.
In an era of big-box retailers and online shopping, Tom acknowledges the challenges local stores face in staying relevant. He said his parents understood early on what it took to run a small business, and he continues to follow many of their strategies.
“I think the biggest thing is, for a small-town hardware store to make it, you've got to offer some services other than just what you sell out the front door,” Tom said.
Since the early days of the store, the main goal was always to provide for the customer, whether that was through a product or service. In a town like Solon, that meant they would provide as much as possible to prevent a customer from traveling North or South to Cedar Rapids or Iowa City for their hardware needs.
“If you get one or two people coming in looking for something, then it’s time to add it to the inventory,” said Tom, “Over the years, we’ve built it up to where we have a big supply of what people seem to be looking for.”
This supply ranges through a wide variety of products. Of course, the normal hardware store expectations; nails, screws, bolts, tools, etc. But also, features a few appliances, like coffee makers. 50 years ago, providing the amount of product they do now seemed like a dream. It was where they were striving to get. When the store first opened, the Trump family only had about $1000 of operating capital.
“At the time, our hardware distributor was located in Cedar Rapids, so my dad would go every Friday to pick up the hardware order,” Tom said. “If somebody came in and wanted something we didn't have, we would always offer to pick it up for them on Friday and have it back that afternoon.”
Tom’s customers range from local regulars to those just passing through.
“I see a fair amount of contractors here for a job in town, and rather than making a trip back, they can swing in and grab what they need,” he said. “They're able to get the job finished, save time, and therefore save money.”
In a time where being a small business owner is harder than ever, Tom has persevered through harsh environmental factors to keep the business not only alive, but thriving.
The hardware store was struck with damage during a tornado March 31, 2023. The built-up part of the roof was torn off by the violent winds, causing damage to one of the more iconic buildings of Solon’s Main Street. After a
Solon Hardware Store window repair
Ella McEntaffer
For the Solon Economist
SOLON — Tom Trump and his crew at Solon Hardware is well versed in working with the delicate task of window replacements.
Besides the large variety of supplies sold at the store, Solon Hardware also has in-house window repairs, done by Trump himself. Trump said that he learned the practice of window repairs and replacements from his father, Dean, meaning that Solon Hardware has been replacing windows for half a century.
“I worked alongside my father and learned all of those things,” said Trump on his repair knowledge. It’s not super common to find someone like Trump in this day and age, as window replacement has become something of a lost art. Trump is gearing up for a busy summer as
windows, glass, and screen repairs typically start in the early summer and run through the fall months. And he draws on service-driven individuals from the area for help on bigger projects.
“A lot of firefighters and paramedics, on their off days, will come out and work with me for a day or two,” he said. “Some years will go right through the winter putting windows in some years, some not,” said Trump. “It just kind of depends upon the economy and what people are doing.”
As far as how the estimate process works for window replacement, the whole ordeal is actually quite simple. Trump starts by setting an appointment to go out and take a look at the window in person.
“I might do it a little differently than some other companies do, but I'll go out and take a look at what they have,” said Trump. “And then explain to them what I have
long process of reconstruction, which saw the front of the building covered in scaffolding and timber bracing for over a year, it was decided they would replace a structural beam near the top of the building and reinforce it with rebar on the interior of the beam.
While insurance covered the damage to the roof, it was up to Tom to pay for the other repairs.
Last May the City Council voted to approve a $55,000 five-year forgivable TIF (Tax Increment Financing) loan for the repair work, the third-highest loan the city has made.
“The $55,000 loan is a generous amount and reflects the City Council’s commitment to a legacy Main Street business, and to the Trump family for their service to the Solon Community,” said City Administrator Cami Rasmussen.
“I was happy that the city was able to partner with the Solon Hardware Store to restore the building following the tornado,” Mayor Dan O’Neil said.
Trump plans on repainting the storefront and getting the store sign back up in place once the weather warms up.
“Well, so obviously, I'm ecstatic that we got all the repairs made to the front of the building,” Tom said. “Now, we’re getting ready for lawnmower season. Typically, in the spring, we start lawnmower repairs and services, which usually last until the hot, dry part of summer.” Editor’s note: see related stories. “The structural stability of the building was never truly compromised,” said Trump. Making for a symbolic representation of how the company has stood against time itself.
“The Solon Hardware Store has been a mainstay on Main Street and a great reminder of the values and work ethic that define our town,” O’Neil said. “It’s a great example of the families that continue to maintain Solon’s small-town charm. “Fifty years is quite the achievement, and it's an honor to have the Solon Hardware Store as part of our community and Main Street.”
For over 50 years, Solon Hardware has been more than just a store—it’s been part of the community. Through hard work and a commitment to great service, Tom has kept his family’s business going strong, even as times have changed.
Solon Hardware Store 232 E. Main Street 319-624-3461
to offer, show them my window, and then talk to them not only about the features of my window, but what else is out there.”
Trump will walk through the window installation process with the customer, which can vary due to the construction of the house. Although Trump can work with many brands, he said that his favorite to use for replacements is Simonton.
“They were one of the first ones to come out with an all welded frame unit, which is the preferred way to make a vinyl window,” said Trump. “You can do a glued and screwed together frame, but over time, with the expansion and contraction of vinyl, those joints will come apart, so it's much, much preferred to do the all welded construction.”
So if Solon residents find their windows in need of replacement, they don’t have to look very far to find quality craftsmanship, years of experience, and an easy repair in their future. Those interested in contacting Trump for his services can find him on Main Street from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Joel Kellar and Ella McEntaffer For the Solon Economist
Solon Hardware Store is ready for lawnmower season
Ella McEntaffer
For the Solon Economist
SOLON — With Americans spending an estimated 70 hours on lawn and garden upkeep each year, the importance of a working maintenance equipment cannot be overstated for the average homeowner. Looking toward the impending spring and summer months, Tom Trump at Solon Hardware is gearing up for a steady stream of repairs.
“About now, we'll start with doing lawnmower repairs and services,” said Trump. “That'll normally go until it dries up in the hot, dry part of the summer.”
Having been involved with the shop since his parents bought the store in 1975, Trump has spent many seasons repairing. Besides lawnmower and small engine repairs, Solon Hardware also works on window replacements, and before Dean Trump passed, plumbing as well.
“My dad learned and then he taught me, so personally I’ve been doing it since I was about 13 years old,” Trump said, adding that his father Dean learned from the
previous Solon Hardware store owner and by “going to other shops and asking questions and learning on his own.”
Trump said that the typical turnaround time for a lawnmower or small engine repaired by the store depends on what the customer is asking for, and ultimately what the issue with the machine is. Despite the fact that Trump is taking on the repairs solo, he has a pretty impressive turnaround time at Solon Hardware.
“As a general rule, I can usually get stuff in, get a look at it, get parts ordered, and send it back out within about a week,” Trump said. “It varies a little bit, you know, in the spring of the year when everybody goes out and rips on the cord of the lawnmower and it won't start.”
Besides doing higher level repairs, Trump also does general maintenance on lawn mowers and small engines as well.
“I do a lot of spring services where we'll change the oil and take a look at the spark plug and the air filter and replace them if need be,” said Trump. “We sharpen the blade and take a look at the belts, and on a ride-on unit,
you have to air up the tires and charge the battery and all those kinds of things.”
Customers can bring in a wide variety of small engines as Trump says that he can take a look at most all types and brands in the repair shop. However, he added that customers should take into account if the repair is worthwhile for certain pieces of equipment, particularly with weed whackers, as there are less options for replacement parts.
“Honestly with the lesser price of a lot of these, they’re kind of almost turned into a throwaway item by the time I buy the parts and put the labor in,” he said. “For most people, unless they have a little more expensive one, they tend not to repair them and just buy a new one.”
The estimate process is fairly quick at Solon Hardware, with Trump’s vast experience in repairs making the procedure smooth and straightforward.
“I kind of know the amount of time that it takes, and a good idea what it's going to cost to repair.” Trump said. “And then we offer pick-up and delivery if people want that done as well.”
Photos by Ella McEntaffer | For the Solon Economist
Left to right: Tom Trump uses his decades of experience to diagnose and maintain mowers and other small engines at the Solon Hardware Store. The Solon Hardware Store, located at 232 E. Main St., celebrated 50 years of ownership by the Trump family in February. The Solon Hardware Store is an iconic business with an iconic feature rarely seen anymore – a genuine manually operated cash register, which sees daily use.
Cost of this publication: $357.39 Fiscal year to date cost: $13785.23
THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FORMAL MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 27, 2025
Resolutions adopted by the Board of Supervisors are only summarized in the published minutes; the full text may be inspected at the Office of the County Auditor, 913 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, Mon. thru Fri., between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and at www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov.
Vice Chairperson Fixmer-Oraiz called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building Boardroom at 9:01 a.m. Members present: V Fixmer-Oraiz, Lisa Green-Douglass, Mandi Remington, and Rod Sullivan. Members absent: Jon Green. Motion by Sullivan, second by Remington, to approve the agenda as presented, except by striking item E. 3 –‘Consider proposal from University of Iowa Center for Social Science Innovation for Community Perspectives on the Sheriff’s Office and Jail Project’. Approved unanimously. Public
Zachary Riddle
Zest Catering Company
2. The minutes of the Formal Meeting for March 20, 2025.
3. Payroll authorizations submitted by department heads and elected officials.
4. Receive and place on file with the County Auditor the County Treasurer’s Semi-annual Settlement of the Board of Supervisors for the period of July 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024 as submitted by County Treasurer Scott Finlayson.
5. Alcohol license application for Michael Asbe for an event at the Celebration Farm.
Approved unanimously.
PROCLAMATION NO. 03-27-25-01
TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY
MARCH 31, 2025
Summary: The Johnson County Supervisors share a vision for a better world for all people, and are committed to fostering an awareness of the basic human elements that serve to unite us as a society and annually on March 31, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility to raise awareness of issues impacting transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people and to honor these communities for their resilience, activism, and countless contributions to society.
Board action: Proclaim Monday, March 31, 2025, as Transgender Day of Visibility in Johnson County and urge all people to recognize this day by supporting efforts to promote inclusion and diversity in all settings, including schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities, and public spaces.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Remington, to approve Proclamation No. 03-27-25-01. Approved unanimously. Johnson County Trans Advisory Committee (TAC) member Dr. Emma Denney spoke.
PROCLAMATION NO. 03-27-25-02
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS
MONTH
APRIL 2025
Summary: Sexual abuse, sexual violence, and stalking affect anyone, including children, causing long-term physical, psychological, and emotional harm and
sexual violence in rural communities ex-
ists as a hidden, silent, and often unrecognized crime that is often underreported.
Board Action: Proclaim the month of April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Johnson County, Iowa, and urge all people to work together to eliminate sexual violence, sexual abuse, and stalking from our community. Motion by Sullivan, second by Remington, to approve Proclamation No. 03-27-25-02. Approved unanimously. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Services (RVIP & RVAP) staff Alta Medea-Peters and Shell Feijo spoke.
RESOLUTION NO. 03-27-25-01
RESOLUTION TO FIX A DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON GENERAL OBLIGATION COUNTY PURPOSE LOAN AGREEMENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $19,340,000 TO FINANCE EQUIPMENT FOR AND IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY BUILDINGS, RESTORATION OF DILAPIDATED COUNTY BUILDINGS, PAYMENT OF INSURANCE EXPENSES, ACQUISITION OF PEACE OFFICER AND OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT, AND FUNDING OF PROGRAMS TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Summary: The Code of Iowa authorizes counties to enter into loan agreements and borrow money for the purposes of making improvements and other various functions related to county government. The Board of Supervisors (the “Board”) of Johnson County, Iowa, propose to borrow $13,064,000 for various county insurance program and Grant to Housing Trust of Johnson County. The Board also proposes to enter into additional loans for the following projects: Emergency Basis Building Restoration-$3,356,000; County Building ADA Improvements- $75,000; Information Technology Improvements and Equipment $875,000; County Farm Building Renovations and Improvements $200,000; SEATS Garage Addition and Lift Improvements $1,100,000; General County Repairs $300,000; Peace Officer/ Emergency Services Communication Equipment $370,000. The proposals to borrow money require public hearings in accordance with the Code of Iowa. Board action: The Board set public hearings for the previously mentioned proposals for April 16, 2025, at the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, Iowa City, Iowa, at 5:30 p.m. Motion by Remington, second by Sullivan, to approve Resolution No. 03-27-25-01. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Remington, to set a public hearing on the Johnson County Budget Estimate for Fiscal Year 2026 for April 16, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, and authorize the Auditor to publish the notice of public hearing. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Green-Douglass, second by Remington, to approve the Professional Service Agreement with Schneider Geospatial, LLC for set up, electronic hosting, submittal and payment options for Secondary Roads permits using their GeoPermits application, in the amount of $65,532 over three years. Approved unanimously. Motion by Green-Douglass, second by Remington, to approve Change Order
No. 002 for the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm Kitchen Project with Peak Construction Group Inc., North Liberty, in the amount of $24,671.22. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Remington; to appoint County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith, County Sheriff Brad Kunkel, County Supervisors Mandi Remington and Lisa Green-Douglass, and Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee (CJCC) members Michelle Heinz, Bill Waldie, and Ashley Salinas to a CJCC subcommittee for collaboration with the University of Iowa Center for Social Services Innovation on gathering community input for the Sheriff’s Office and Jail Project. Approved unanimously. Adjourned at 9:44 a.m.
/s/Jon Green, Chair, Board of Supervisors Attest: /s/Julie Persons, Auditor
On the 3rd day of April, 2025
Recorded by Auditor’s Office: Marly Melsh, Executive Clerk to the Board These minutes were sent for formal approval and publication on April 3, 2025. Published in the Solon Economist April 10, 2025.
THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FORMAL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 26, 2025
Chairperson Green called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building Boardroom at 5:30 p.m.
Members present: V Fixmer-Oraiz, Jon Green, Lisa Green-Douglass, Mandi Remington, and Rod Sullivan. Motion by Sullivan, second by Remington, to approve the agenda as presented. Approved unanimously. Public Comment - No one from the public spoke Convened Public Hearing at 5:31 p.m. on the proposed General and Rural County Services Maximum Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), in accordance with the Code of Iowa.
Finance Director Dana Aschenbrenner reported that the FY26 General Services tax asking is 8.75% more than the current fiscal year, while the tax levy rate is 4.7% more than the current fiscal year. He said the increase is due to construction at the County Courthouse, needed restoration and repair at the County Sheriff’s Office and Jail, and increased funding transfers to the County Secondary Road Department. Aschenbrenner reported that the FY26 Rural Services tax asking is 2.6% more than the current fiscal year while the tax levy is unchanged from the current fiscal year. He said the increase supports rural road maintenance and enhanced services for rural residents (including library services, animal shelter fees, and garbage disposal), and for a County Sheriff patrol deputy. Steve Kurt of Solon expressed concerns about secondary roads maintenance and snowplowing. He asked what rural County residents can expect if the tax levy goes through. Green said generally the increase usually addresses the in-
creased cost of rock for County roads. He said plow operations are being reviewed. Kurt asked about waste disposal services because they pay a private firm for garbage collection. Green said all households in unincorporated areas of Johnson County get the benefit of one ton of tipping fees at the landfill per year. Douglas Happ of Coralville asked about the size of the proposed increase indicated in the tax levy mailer he received. Aschenbrenner explained the mailer sent out includes a state ordered 10% increase, but assessments are not likely to increase by that much. Happ objected to the rates. Steven Meyer of Johnson County said the tax increase seems large. He asked about the libraries in the County to which Green reviewed the public libraries in the County that are supported by County funding to make them accessible to rural residents. Meyer expressed concern about deterioration of rural roads, snowplowing, and costs associated with paying for secondary roads maintenance. Fixmer-Oraiz spoke about increased costs due to inflation and addressed the 10% assessment increase included in the mailer already addressed by Aschenbrenner. Fixmer-Oraiz said County Supervisors take tax dollars that are collected seriously; they spend several hours going through the budget and have very difficult conversations. County Auditor Julie Persons said the proposed tax levy statement is still on the County website and includes a link to the Department of Management where County residents can enter their property assessment to see their projected property tax levy. Gary Rickert of North Liberty
CALENDAR & PUZZLES
SOLON SENIORS
A Big Thank You to our sponsors and donors for their support in Senior Dining’s mission to serve the Solon Community, and especially to those who support Senior Dining by attending the lunches or receive home deliveries.
Welcome Spring!
Thank you, March entertainers – John McFarland and Karen McFarland Miller singing John Edgerton’s favorite Western songs, and Larry Olson’s Purple Martin program.
April showers bring (April Happenings)
Wednesday, April 16 – Easter Celebration Wednesday, April 30 – City Representative
Reminders
Bad weather closings – Senior Dining will notify our clients by phone of cancellations. No meals Tuesdays and Thursdays
Bingo Wednesdays AM/PM
Cards Wednesdays PM
DINING ••••••••••••
Home Deliveries - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday within a 5-mile radius, on hard surface roads only. Call 319-624-2251 for information.
In-House Dining - Solon Methodist Church, Wednesdays only at 11:30 a.m. Meals cost $5.00 and are provided by the
Solon Retirement Village Kitchen. Reservations for Wednesday dine-in are required by calling 319-624-2251 Mondays 10-11:00 a.m.
Sesame Chicken Fried Rice Oriental Slaw Breadstick Tootie Frootie Bar
Friday, April 18
Pub Battered Fish Macaroni & Cheese
Buttered Peas Cherry Poke Cake
Thank you Solon Senior Dining volunteers! “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.”
The Solon Community School District is an equal opportunity provider. Menus will vary to accommodate the Federal Nutrition Guidelines. Please understand that menus are subject to change as needed. Please check your lunch account balances, purchases, and deposits online at solon.total.k12.com.
Nutrition office: 319-624-3401, Ext. 1120 or bwest@solon.k12.ia.us.
Student breakfast is FREE again this year
the kids and teaches them how to eat a healthy breakfast to start your day,” said West.
Adult/Guest breakfast: $1.75
Friday, April 11
Muffin Top (LV/SIS)
G&G (LV) Oatmeal Bar
Breakfast Pizza or Cinnamon Doughnuts Fruit, Juice, Crackers & Milk
Monday, April 14
Muffin (LV/SIS)
G&G (LV) Muffin
— Elizabeth Andrew
Across
1 That’s gotta hurt
5 Certain voice-overs
9 Neutrogena dandruff shampoo
13 Make less distinct
14 “A cunning hunter, a man of the field,” in Genesis
15 Find more value from
16 Brought into being
17 Like one with renewed beliefs
18 Word from on high
19 H.S. exam for which 5 is the highest score
21 Seller of Poäng and Ekenäset chairs
Down
1 “Waterloo” band
2 Sound on a bridle path
3 Offended
4 Given name of Che Guevara
5 One with obligations
6 Troupe for troops, in brief
7 Adriatic port city
8 Dissociative void, as in the film “Get Out”
9 ___ Talks
10 Highlight of many a Jimi Hendrix concert
French Toast Sticks (LV/SIS)
G&G (LV) Waffle Crackers
Breakfast Sandwich or Tornadoes
Frudel
Fruit, Juice, Crackers & Milk
Thursday, April 17
Breakfast Sandwich (LV/SIS)
G&G (LV) Cereal Bar
Egg Scramble w/Hash Brown or Mini Pancakes w/Sausage Links
Friday, April 18
Mini Breakfast Corndogs or French Toast & Sausage Links
Fruit, Juice, Crackers & Milk
Tuesday, April 15
Mini Doughnuts (LV/SIS)
G&G (LV) Mini Doughnuts
Breakfast Bagel or Bubble Cake
Fruit, Juice, Milk & Crackers
23 School play?
24 Look to pick things up
26 Onetime leader of the Sinaloa Cartel
28 The great outdoors
30 Tying one’s shoes, e.g., for most people
31 Tops at golf clubs
32 Absorbed
34 48 of them make a cup: Abbr.
36 Untidy room, metaphorically
37 Pains
40 Portuguese greeting
41 Reid of “Urban Legend”
43 Indian crepe served with chutney
11 What might lead to a breakout success?
12 “Unhand me!”
15 Gape or gasp, say
20 [I’m trying to listen!]
22 Send
25 Little time off
27 QB’s call
28 “No way, nohow!”
29 Gymnastics star of the 2012 and 2016 Olympics
31 Winter hours in L.A.
33 Intensifying suffix, in modern slang
35 Comedian ___ Vulcano
38 Really dig
The Solon Community School District (SCSD) is once again able to offer free breakfast to students for the academic year. Becky West, Nutrition Director, explained the Nutritional Department’s financial situation, based on standard practice and guidance from the state, makes it possible to offer this important service to the students. “I believe that eating breakfast fuels
Wednesday, April 16
For information on the free and reduced program, and an application, go to www.solon.k12.ia.us/page/ nutrition-program and scroll down to Nutrition Documents & Links.
STUDENT LUNCH PRICES
High School - $2.70
Middle School - $2.60
SIS/Lakeview - $2.55
Reduced - $.40
Adult/Guest lunch: $4.70
Friday, April 11
MS/HS Alt: Cook’s Delight
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Marinara
Garlic Knot, Steamed Cauliflower (MS/HS)
Fava Crisps
Tossed Salad & Ranch
Cantaloupe, Choodle Cookie
Monday, April 14
MS/HS Alt: Grilled BBQ Rib
Cheeseburger
French Fries, Tomatoes Sliced (MS/ HS)
Pickles (SIS/MS/HS)
Applesauce Cup, Fruit Roll-up
Tuesday, April 15
MS/HS Alt: Spartan Cheese Bread
Chicken Taco’s, Tortilla Shell
Romaine, Cheese, Salsa, Corn Tortilla Chips, Fruit Slushy Bananas (MS/HS)
Wednesday, April 16
MS/HS Alt: Pork Tenderloin
Sandwich
French Toast Sticks & Syrup
Egg & Cheese Omelet, Hash Brown
Cucumber, Fresh Strawberries
Chocolate Chip Muffin (SIS/MS/HS)
Fruit, Juice, Crackers & Milk
Mini CC French Toast (LV/SIS)
G&G (LV) Donut
Long John or Cinnamon Roll
Fruit, Juice, Crackers & Milk
Monday, April 21
Breakfast Pizza (LV/SIS)
G&G (LV) Oatmeal Bar
Fruit, Juice, Milk & Crackers SCHOOL BREAKFAST
Sausage & Gravy over Biscuit
Frudel
Thursday, April 17
MS/HS Alt: Cheese Bites
Chicken Tenders (LV/SIS)
Chicken Wings & Sauce (MS/HS)
Steamed Carrots, Celery, Chilled Pears
Biscuit with Butter Patty, Sunchips (HS)
Friday, April 18
MS/HS Alt: Cook’s Delight
Sloppy Joe Sandwich
Delicious Baked Beans, Carrot Spears
Watermelon Chunks Baked Lays Chips
Monday, April 21
MS/HS Alt: Fish Fillet Sandwich
Mandarin Chicken & Rice
Broccoli, Sweet Potato Fries
Apple Wedges, Yo Caramel (HS)
Pineapple (MS/HS), Garlic Knot
44 Meat designation on a food cart
46 Graphite, essentially
48 Exact replica
50 Fire breather of myth
51 At all
52 Dorm enforcers, for short
53 Betray, with “out”
55 Discarded tech devices
59 Not satisfied
61 Swallow
63 Strengthen one’s commitment
64 Scrutinizes
65 Eager
66 Send out
67 Have an inclination
68 Hitch together
69 Digs for bears
39 Mouselike mammal
42 One of eight on a cuttlefish
45 Worn away
47 Top scores, e.g.
49 Settle a score for
50 Part of a pizza
54 Snapchat’s ghost, e.g.
56 Indeterminate amount
57 Look-alike
58 Specialty M.D.s
60 Extremity
62 Vessel with a round bottom
SUDOKU
To play: Complete the grid so that every row, column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. There is no guessing or math involved, just use logic to solve.
Spartans split with River Kings and Bears in home soccer triangular
Jami Martin-Trainor
For the Solon Economist
SOLON — It’s the little moments - the subtle passes slipping right through opponents legs, or a strategic and well-received inbound - that make all the difference.
In the early morning Saturday, April 5, at Solon High School, the Solon boys’ soccer team had several of these moments.
A back and forth volley between sophomore Collin McKie and junior Eli Cash stretching down the field, which was eventually intercepted by the opposing team. A headbutt and pass from junior Tripp Johnson just missing the goal.
A defensive play by Solon’s goalkeeper, the soccer ball seemingly magnetized to his hands.
However, amid the frigid and overcast morning, with parents and supporters bundled up with hats and gloves and blankets to boot, the Solon Spartans couldn’t make these little moments add up to a victory against the West Branch Bears.
Falling to the Bears, 2-5, the Spartans couldn’t reduce the deficit enough to cinch a win in their first of two matches Saturday morning.
At the end of the first half, West Branch had only notched a single goal, bringing the score to 0-1. However, an explosive second half from the Bears with four goals in that 40-minutes practically secured the win for West Branch.
In the eleventh hour, just 10 minutes left on the clock, the pieces started clicking for Solon. With two goals secured at the end of the match, the Spartans may not have been able to secure their first victory of the season, but they did start building momentum.
During their second match of the day against the Clinton River Kings, building that momentum paid off.
Securing a win over the River Kings, 8-1, the Solon Spartans exerted a consistent effort throughout each half, notching three goals in the first and five in the second.
With the split, the Spartans have improved their record from 0-1 to 1-3 following a 1-2 road loss to Center Point-Urbana Friday, April 4. Solon’s next match
Lady Spartans drop frigid season opener to Regina Catholic
IOWA CITY — A thick overcast loomed over the Regina Catholic soccer field. The wind was howling across the field, bringing the feels like temperature well below 40 degrees. The players on the Solon bench were huddled together underneath layers of sweatshirts, coats, and blankets. But those on the field braved the cold to compete, looking to take advantage of the opportunity to start the season off with a win.
“You know, it’s soccer,” said Amanda Paulson the Lady Spartans’ head coach, “It’s always cold and windy and a little bit of rain, maybe snow sometimes. But it’s good to start the season off .” The Lady Spartans got a wintery-like mix of weather throughout the game. The wind blowing across the field, kept the ball on the side furthest from the stands, and out of the goal. The one goal in the entire game was scored by Regina right before halftime. The Lady Spartans would be shut out the rest of the way to lose their season opening game 1-0. The offense’s lack of ability to find the back of the net was not because they could not get the ball in attack mode. For the vast majority of the first half, it seemed the Lady Spartans were on the brink of breaking through and putting an end to their scoreless start. However, just as it seemed Solon would be able to score, the Regina defense would poke the ball out, or their goalkeeper would snag a save.
“We just need continued reps,” said Paulson, “The more times we can find ball in behind or be dangerous up top the better our odds are going to be.”
Regina was able to gain control of the ball just before 10 minutes remain in the first half. They worked their way down the field for one of the first times of the game, and they were able to take advantage. Regina caught Solon moving slow in transition and forced the Lady Spartans’ goalie Gable Knight into a tough decision; should she attack the ball, or should she sit back and wait for it to come to her?
In hindsight, sitting and waiting would have been Paulson’s preference, but Knight attacked. Regina’s forward pushed through the top right part of the box and swerved her way around Knight. From there on, all that sat between the Regals and a 1-0 lead was green grass. The Regal forward bounced the ball into the back of the net to give them a lead and energize the small home crowd that was held quiet by the cold.
“We’d like to see [Knight] hold position there, but this is her first year so we are just learning the times to step out versus times to hold,” said Paulson, “So a little more aggressive than we would have liked to see, but it happens.”
Laney Johnson almost broke through late in the second half for Solon. They continued to control most of the possessions, but were limited to only a few quality looks at tying the game. Johnson was able to break free
from the stifling Regal defense and she had the opportunity to launch one past the goalie. The ball was launched off her foot and looked like it might be able to sneak in through the goal near the far post almost in the upper corner of the net. However, the Regal goalkeeper made yet another great play on the ball and kept the Lady Spartans scoreless and deflated their momentum late in the game.
The City High Little Hawks visit for a nonconference match Thursday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Spartans travel to Cedar Rapids Xavier Catholic Tuesday, April 14 at 5:00 p.m.
will be Friday, April 11, at home against Burlington Notre Dame following a match on Tuesday, April 8, at home against Williamsburg (after this edition had gone to print).
Joel Kellar Solon Economist
Jami Martin-Trainor | For the Solon Economist Tripp Johnson kicks the ball during a soccer game against West Branch Saturday, April 5. The Spartans fell to the Bears 2-5 and pounded Clinton 8-1 in a home triangular.
Photos by Joel Kellar | Solon Economist
Above: Rose McAtee fights through contact, trying to create space to find a good look at the goal Friday, April 4, at Regina Catholic in Iowa City. The Lady Spartans fell 0-1 in their season opener against the Regals. Left: Farrah Hendricks attempts to steal the ball back from Regina.
Below: Kinley Mai prepares to send a pass across the pitch Friday, April 4, at Regina Catholic in Iowa City. The Lady Spartans fell 0-1 in their season opener against the Regals.
Boys' track notches two first place finishes at Mount Vernon TRACK
Joel Kellar Solon Economist
MOUNT VERNON — Kampman exploded out of the block in lane four, with his legs pumping up and down like pistons on a car. He accelerated around the turn and entered the final straightaway on the Mount Vernon track. He had work to do with a Lisbon sprinter in the lane next to him matching him stride for stride. They flew in sync down to the finish line and seemingly crossed at the exact same time. A hair under 23 sec[External] MVL Visitors Guide- Scootersonds. But the question remained –who crossed first?
The results showed up. In second, Dakota Clark of Lisbon in 22.92 seconds. In first? Kampman. He finished in 22.90 seconds.
“Never doubt Eli Kampman,” said Solon Boys Track head coach, Mark Sovers, “He’s a competitor.” Kampman walked off the track as a champion with one thing on his mind to tell his coach. “He said, ‘I won that race because of what we did in practice,’” recalled Sovers, “There’s a guy that pay attention to detail. You like to see when that pays o in the race.”
As a team, Solon finished in sixth place out of eight, but this meet was about much more than the final point total. Sovers found a leader in Kampman, someone who can anchor the team by leading by example of what training hard can help accomplish.
“You got to have someone do it first,” said Sovers, “You get people to buy in and they start seeing success because of the process, then others think, oh, I can do that too if I just pay attention to detail.”
With the outdoor season just in its first stages, the Spartans have plenty of time to improve on their times and they have already seen a bit of success. Due to a disqualification, the distance medley took the team’s second gold of the night. Maddox Kelley and Kaden Hoeper ran the 200-meter legs, Owen Gange ran the 400, and Will Brandt anchored with the 800, finishing the race just behind Clear
Haluska leads Lady Spartans to a third place finish at Mount Vernon
Joel Kellar Solon Economist
MOUNT VERNON — Jerzey Haluska stood at the start of the handoff zone for the 4x400-meter relay, eagerly awaiting the baton. Quinn Armentrout led off for the Lady Spartans and found herself right around fifth place, grouped in the middle pack. Haluska had already placed on the podium once before this meet – placing third in the 200-meter dash (27.68 seconds) – but she was hungry for more and was ready to chase after the lead.
“It really helps me when I need to catch somebody,” said Haluska.
Haluska grabbed the baton from Armentrout and from that moment on it was all Haluska.
By the time she finished her leg and handed the baton off to her teammate, Grace Hoeper, Solon was out in front by a comfortable six second lead. One that Hoeper and Kobi Lietz would hold on to for the first-place finish in 4:10. The win at the Mount Vernon Relays on Thursday, April 3, would secure Solon a third-place finish as a team, behind Marion and Mount Vernon.
“She definitely ran her best 400 of her life right there,” said Solon head coach Jessica Hotek, “I’m excited to see what improvements she will be able to make and how she will grow into a leadership role the rest of the season.”
Of course, track fans across the state of Iowa know the Haluska name well. Haluska’s father, Adam Haluska, is a legend in the track community, having won the Most Outstanding Performer award at two state championship meets, including one of the most dominant performances in Iowa high school track history when he won four individual state titles in 2002. Now, he helps his daughter Jerzey Haluska as she begins her quest to etch her name into the record books.
“He’s just really motivated me and has helped me with my workouts,” said Haluska, “It’s always nice to have someone like that to look up to.”
Jami Martin-Trainor | For the Solon Economist Evan Burg blasts out of the blocks for the first leg of the 4x200-meter relay Thursday, April 3 in the Mount Vernon Relays. Burg, Brady White, Eli Kampman, and Caleb Bock took 4th in 1:34.13 and the Spartans were sixth in overall team points.
Creek Amana’s relay team at 3:52.02. However, CCA stepped on the line over three times, causing a disqualification and handing Solon the crown.
“I was proud of those guys because in the end you just have to be a part of the conversation,” said Sovers, “I liked their mindset and the way they attacked each piece of the race.”
Caleb Bock placed second in the long jump with a high of 21’ 9”, his best so far this season. The 4x800 relay also nabbed a season best, finishing third with a time of 9:05. The 4x400 relay finished the meet out for the Spartans with a bronze finish. They completed the four laps in 3:36, only about three
Hoeper and Armentrout kicked off the Lady Spartan dominance in the 400 during the individual race earlier in the meet. Both girls set a new personal best and Hoeper pulled out the victory, with Armentrout following closely behind for a third-place finish. Hoeper ran a 1:03.41 and Armentrout ran a 1:03.69.
The shuttle hurdle relay team won in dominating fashion. Alessandra Stahle, Cydney Jaster, Keegan Kleppe, and Zoey Grimm were placed in heat one of two, the slower of the pair. But that did not matter to them. They took the lead in their heat right out of the blocks and never looked back, crossing the line in 1:11.09. That time ended up being 0.1 seconds faster than the winner of heat two, Benton.
The Lady Spartans’ field events also showed out at the Mount Vernon Relays. Kate Shafer placed second is the discus, throwing it 117 feet. Sophia Miles also nabbed silver in the high jump by jumping over the 4’10” crossbar on her second try.
“It’s good to get the first outdoor meet out of the way. Get some of those jitters out,” said Hotek, “I’m excited to see what we can accomplish and hopefully we can get a few things qualified for the Drake Relays.”
The Lady Spartans travel to Tiffin for Clear Creek Amana’s Jane Astor Relays Friday, April 11 at 4:30 p.m. and will compete in the Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival at Iowa City West high Saturday, April 12 at 10:30 am. And also at Assumption Catholic’s Girls Track and Field
Long jump – 2 Caleb Bock 21-9, 5 Maddox Kelley 20-9.25 Shot put – 14 Dylan Branscomb 37-10.5, 18 Lucas Feuerbach 35-10, 22 Trevin Wilcox 32-7.5, 28 Tate Rudish 29-10
Discus – 4 Eli Kampman 133-6, 14 Bradyn Schnoor 1116, 16 Colin Dunn 96-8, 18 Hunter Sonntag 92-11
4x200 – 4 Solon (Brady White, Eli Kampman, Evan Burg, Caleb Bock) 1:34.13, 12 Solon “B” (Karsyn Regennitter, Luke Merrick, Jonathan Thomson, Sawyer Hancox) 1:41.94
800-meter run – 7 Owen Young 2:09.97, 11 Deacon Waddell 2:12.75, 18 Drew O’Neill 2:26.45
200-meter dash – 1 Eli Kampman 22.90, 10 Jackson Burk 24.46, 15 Wyatt Young 25.28
400-meter hurdles – 9, Justin Moore 1:04.46
1600-meter run – 9 Anders Holmes 5:02.84, 16 Maximillian Ferin 5:15.66 4x100 – 4 Solon (Maddox Kelley, Eli Kampman, Cole Carney, Caleb Bock) 45.72, 10 Solon “B” (Benjamin McFadden, Sawyer Hancox, Luke Merrick, Jonathan Thomson) 48.79 4x400- 3 Solon (Jackson Burk, Kaden Hoeper, Owen Gange, Evan Burg) 3:36.94, 11 Solon “B” (Sawyer Hancox, Wyatt Young, Luke Merrick, Gavin Wisman) 3:55.93
Team scores – 1 Clear Creek Amana 131, 2 Lisbon 96, 3 Center Point-Urbana 91, Benton Community 79, 5 Mount Vernon 70, 6 Solon 60, 7 West Branch 33, 8 Marion 28
seconds out of second place.
The Spartans travel to Tiffin for CCA’s Boys Invitational Thursday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m. and will run in the Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival Saturday, April 12 at Iowa City West High School starting at 10:30 a.m.
Invitational in Davenport at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 15 Solon will run in Prairie High School’s Schwarz-Hawkins Relays with field events starting at 3:45 p.m. and running events at 4:30 p.m.
High jump – 2 Sophia Miles 4-10, 5 Layla Shipley 4-6 Long jump – 6 Jerzey Haluska 15-4 Shot put – 4 Kate Shafer 34-9.5, 6 Piper Johnson 33-4, 11 Audrey Howell 29-2, 17 Brinley Landsgard 26-1 Discus – 2 Kate Shafer 117-0, 11 Piper Johnson 83-1, 15 Adlie Miller 71-6 800-meter sprint medley – 3 Solon (Piper Stahle, Marin Ashbacker, Alessandra Stahle, Kobi Lietz) 1:53.66
Girls team scores – 1 Mount Vernon 145, 2 Marion 101, 3 Solon 94.5, 4 Clear Creek Amana 71, 5 Benton Community 68, 6 West Branch 42.5, 7 Lisbon 39, 8 Center Point-Urbana 20
Jami Martin-Trainor | For the Solon Economist Marin Ashbacker hands off the baton to Kobi Lietz for the third leg of the 4x200-meter relay Thursday, April 3, at the Mount Vernon Relays. Piper Stahle, Ashbacker, Lietz, and Aly Stahle took third place in 1:47.77 while the Lady Spartans were third overall in team points.
