Pierce County voters will once again head to the polls April 1, 2025 to cast their ballots for important local village board, city council, town board and school board elections. One school district, Spring Valley, will ask voters to consider two referendum questions related to facilities and maintenance expenses.

Local races have a crucial role in shaping the lives of citizens. They determine the leadership and policies that govern schools and communities. Those elected make decisions on education, public safety, infrastructure, services, and what to do with taxpayers’ money. Serving in a public office role is often a thankless task that involves hours of discussions, research, presentations and meetings.

The Pierce County Journal sent questionnaires to candidates in local races. The hope is their answers will allow voters to get to know them a bit, what they stand for and how they would approach these roles if elected. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk*.

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All those on the ballot for Elmwood Village Board are running unopposed: Neil J. Boltik* (village president) and trustee candidates Paul Unser*, Mark Wolf* and Mike Burke. The trustee candidates did not respond to the questionnaire.

Neil J. Boltik*

Position: Village President

Prior elected offices: Elmwood Village trustee, six years. Current Village President, two years

Occupation: Graphic Design/Sign Designer

Community/civic activities: Elmwood Fire Dept.

What specific skills and/or experiences have helped you to as village president? Retired Navy (USNR) 23 years. Various leadership positions from shop supervisor, Squad leader, and Senior Enlisted Leader for a 38 Sailor Unit. Civilian Management and Navy Leadership certificates.

What issues are most pressing to the village? What solutions to you propose? Two years ago as a newly elected Village President we were very careful trying to figure out where the village’s financials stood. We had to make some very tough decisions to hold back some spending, close the village-owned nursing home because we determined that it was being poorly managed, and draining village funds. We had to hire two new Public Works members and get them trained and certified. We hired a new full time police officer. With all these changes, I want to keep the village on a recovery trajectory financially and continue to build a solid team to keep moving forward.

If you are an incumbent, what board/village accomplishment(s) are you most proud of? Right now I am most proud of the work the Village Board, the clerk and our Public Works. We have had an increase in committee meetings in the last two years to get existing issues reviewed and they have all responded better than imagined. Our clerk has managed funds, paid off fines for missed payments, caught up the taxes and have us in great shape.

While this is a nonpartisan office, there can still be divides in any governing body. How do you work with others who have opposing viewpoints? I welcome them. It makes me rethink a decision and forces consideration of opposing views.

Transparency and accountability are important in local government. How do you feel the village does in this regard? Why do you think transparency and accountability are important? We do our best to keep the residents informed. Every decision starts with “Should this go to committee? A public hearing? Or is this safe in our purview?

Where are your favorite places to spend time in the village? Why do you live here? Around the house. We moved here 20 some years ago because we wanted a small town to raise our kids. Now we just love the small town as we get older.

Why should people vote for you? I think we are improving the financial structure that keeps the village moving. I have made some mistakes, but that’s why it is important to me not to be surrounded by YES people. I know we as a village have a lot of projects we would like to get done but none of that would be possible without a solid foundation financially. So I think we should be seeing some infrastructure improvements soon.

How can people contact you? Neil.villageofelmwood@gmail.com