Solon Economist

SOLON– The City of Solon needs a new recreation activities coordinator.
Ben Flaherty, who joined the city in September of 2018, accepted a new position with the City of Ames. His last day was Thursday, Nov. 7.
Recreation Administrative Assistant McKenzie McIlrath will serve as an interim coordinator until the position is filled.
Flaherty, a native of Van Meter and a 2018 graduate of the University of Iowa, was initially hired on an interim basis but was elevated to a permanent employee in January.

TIFFIN– When Kelsey Swancutt decided the University of Iowa’s Stead Children’s Hospital would be the beneficiary of Corridor Market’s annual fundraiser, there was one name that came to mind.
Carson King.
Swancutt, 31, of rural Solon, has been a primary organizer of the Corridor Market, which provides a shopping venue for local small businesses twice a year in the area.
“Every event, we try to do some sort of charity aspect,” she explained. “We use our market and the ability to get people together as an outlet for whatever charity we choose.”

MOUNT VERNON– Three Solon varsity volleyball players earned All-WaMaC Conference East Division honors at the end of the season.
Senior Katie Yi was named Second Team, while senior Jane Willms and freshman Delaney Bombei were tabbed for WaMaC Recognition.
Yi led the team in both kills (249) and blocks (63). The senior also had 191 digs and 24 aces in 2019.
Willms was second in kills with 167 on the season, and third in team blocks with 43. Willms added 132 digs defensively and had 26 ace serves.

SOLON– It’s time to enhance safety training for city employees.
At an Oct. 16 meeting, Solon City Council members gave informal approval to join a pool of regional communities looking to hire a full-time safety instructor.
Currently, public works employees receive Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training through the Eastern Iowa Area Safety and Support Organization (EIASSO).

SOLON– The week’s pole barn proverb read, “No chance for Lightning,” on Friday, Nov. 1.
Although cold winds blew and rain fell for most of the game at Spartan Stadium, the dour weather was not enough to turn away a large crowd eager to see the Spartans’ 14-7 triumph over the Liberty Lightning in their first Class 3A playoff appearance.