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Michelle Poluikis, a candidate for Buena Vista City Council, is a relative newcomer to the city, having moved here in 2018. She said the community “has been so welcoming to us. I am amazed every day by the kindness of my neighbors here in Buena Vista.”
She wants to work cooperatively with fellow citizens for positive change. “Most importantly, I would like us to genuinely listen to each other without criticism. Let’s understand we have different opinions but we are still neighbors. Everyone deserves a seat at the table and the opportunity for their voice to be heard.”
She said her greatest concern for Buena Vista is also the city’s greatest asset – “our families.” The best way to support families is to support the schools, she said. “We need to make sure they have the necessary tools and support to achieve their goals. Our teachers are incredible and self-sacrificing. They are dedicated to our children and work endlessly to help them succeed.”
As a para-educator for the Buena Vista schools, her knowledge of what goes on in the classroom comes firsthand. She’s found working with children to be a “joy. Our students are smart, talented and incredibly interesting individuals.”
She thinks the community is well-served by having a small school system with small class sizes. She said she hopes the city can continue to have its own school system. “The larger the community, the more people you have to deal with.” A small town has its advantages, she notes. “How many locks do you want on your door? Do you even lock your door?”
Poluikis said she wants to do what she can for the city’s library, which she views as a critical resource for the community, “particularly our younger families.”
Asked how Buena Vista can continue to provide basic services without raising taxes, she said, “That is tough. As a person who lives on a minimal income, I can say more money isn’t always the answer, but sometimes it is necessary. What is the answer for [Buena Vista]? I would love to see more business development. I love what is happening downtown. Could we get the interest of a major hotel? Other ways to bring tax money in without it coming from our families would be ideal. … “Do I think additional taxes are always the answer to an issue? No, not always. I certainly see opportunities to listen to people with ideas. The city and our schools, like every family, are living with rising costs without a rising income to match. We need creative thinkers and they are out there.”
Poluikis is a native of Irondequoit, N.Y. Her husband of 46 years was an active duty Marine and the couple lived in seven different states during his military service. She moved to Buena Vista five years ago to be close to family. She is the mother of two and grandmother of five.
“I have loved every place we’ve lived because we have always been surrounded by the most amazing people,” she said. “Weather, food and cultures vary throughout our country, but one thing most people have in common is a love for their families and concern for their neighbors. We really aren’t very different at all.”
