SALEM LAKES, Wis. — The Village of Salem Lakes voted 6–0 Tuesday night to approve Michael Kostiuk as the next Village Administrator, with Trustee Bill Hopkins absent. Kostiuk, who currently serves as Chief of Police in International Falls, Minnesota, appeared in uniform from his Minnesota office as he addressed the board before the vote.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
The meeting opened with recruitment consultant Jay Shambeau summarizing the search process and noting that the village had narrowed its finalists to three strong candidates. Village President Rita Bucur then formally introduced Kostiuk, calling him “a proven leader with a strategic focus on professionalism and a collaborative approach,” and highlighting his experience in organizational leadership, budgeting, and community engagement.
(Appearing Virtually From Minnesota)
When Kostiuk spoke, he thanked the board and said communication and accessibility would guide his leadership. He noted his intention to shift fully into public administration and emphasized that “communication is the key to a successful venture.” He told the board his first priority will be speaking directly with residents, staff, and anyone in the community who wants to connect with him, explaining that he wants to understand “shared goals and visions for the next three years.” He added that he is “honored and excited” for the opportunity to join the village.
Trustees were openly supportive. One trustee said they were “very, very impressed with the interview” and pleased to see Kostiuk selected. Bucur also noted that Kostiuk holds a Master of Public Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and multiple leadership and command certifications.
After brief discussion, Bucur called for the vote to confirm his appointment. All six trustees present voted yes. Kostiuk is set to begin work on January 5, 2026.
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34 Responses
Why does a guy apply and will now move over 500 miles to start a new career ?
I mean good for him but that’s a big change in life.
Just asking but is the back story relevant ?
Warmer Winters then up in Frostbite Falls?
Salem Lakes new administrator, Michael Kostiuk, has what we can assume to be a real Masters in Public Administration and a Bachelors in Criminal Justice. IMPRESSIVE!
The administrator for the city of Kenosha, John Morrissey, has a fake Bachelors in Criminal Justice and the Mayor and city council are ok with that! Terrible!
https://kenoshacountyeye.com/2022/06/30/retired-fbi-special-agent-questions-kenosha-city-administrators-college-degree/
Maybe he will have some more sense and get a second deputy for Salem during the day
I’d rather not have my taxes increase. If they want another deputy- find the money but cutting costs.
The community should let this guy help Salem move in the right direction. He has to be better than Hiller.
Hopefully he’s better. I don’t like that they didn’t have a community commision again- probably bc they suggested against Hiller. The fact that they didn’t tells me nothing has changed. But, I have hope.
I had hope, then I looked up his family on FB. ALL of them are raging liberals 😩
If Bucur wanted him, we are screwed. She was the main reason we got Hiller, the nightmare from Illinois.
If Polli likes him, he must be somewhat okay.
They’re still getting voted out.
Not if new blood doesn’t step up.
Why would a man from International Falls move to Salem Wisconsin after being appointed police chief in 2021? He divided his community and now he’s running away to divide Salem Lakes with higher taxes and other boondoggle programs.
Yeah…something just doesn’t add up here…
Salem Lakes has like a gas station and 200 people who live there. No one cares.
What about Silver lake, Trevor, Camp Lake, Wilmot and Trevor? All Salem Lakes moron.
And…this is where all the corruption starts. With people who “don’t care”.
Yea we know retarded Illinois moron, you only come here to fill up on gasoline. one gas station?
Qualifications? Maybe Salem Lakes should follow the county leader in TIF projects I.e. Somers. Give it away now…..PAY LATER!
Odd choice. International Falls PD has 12 full-time police employees, including the chief himself. Even odder, is him appearing in uniform before the Salem board. The only time we would wear our uniform, outside of our regular shift, was for police funerals or police promotional ceremonies and occasionally a training class, when required. Just plain weird! Maybe he doesn’t own a suit and tie……
I found that also interesting. He appeared with his uniform on zoom last night at the meeting badge and all.
Wearing of the uniform for a future job interview is just strange. I support the badge, but their is protocols with the wearing of the uniform, I don’t believe acceptance of a new job as being one, just also saying.
I would agree about the uniform part. Totally inappropriate and unprofessional.
Yep. First red flag.
It is probably not in the budget so as a parting I will send dispensers and tampons for the ”mens room”
… he doesn’t come in a try to create our own police department.
We all must remember. As a Village, we are required to “provide” police protection.
But that word, “provide” doesn’t mean “have”.
We are free to hire out, as we do. We hire out to a department that has many employees and resources. If for some reason we come across a deputy that we don’t care for, we are free to ask that he be not assigned to our community. That’s one phone call and one shift to make happen.
Imagine going back to having a department internally as we once had. How did that work out for us.
I think his guy having a police background is a positive thing. But only if he doesn’t try to be administrator and police chief at the same time.
Let’s hope his decision to pull up roots 500 miles away isn’t a red flag
Totally red flag
Start looking for another community to move to, these morons on this board are going to spend us to bankruptcy. Look at the spending on the other story, my goodness’s sake. I thought this was a conservative Village, clearly that has changed. This Bucur was a snake in the bush. The whole board but Poli is a bunch of Democrats, OMG. I bet the employees are thrilled with all the wage increases in a few years, Millions. OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!!!!!!
… where are the Conservatives that should be running for office ?
These are simple elections to win.
And a True Conservative would surely win !!
Is that you ?
Everyone does a reset. Maybe it was a retirement. International Falls PD is small…smaller than Pleasant Prairie PD. Did he buy a house in the area? Is residency mandatory?
I don’t think so
but that’s one hell of a commute !!!
It’s not like we need to know about his personal life especially as it is today but, the questions above on recently being name chief, a job that one can retire in. Then throw on top the change of 500 miles.
What is he getting away from ? Or to ?
He would do well to make a statement to explain.
It might just be that he and his family have reasons to move here. To be closer to someone or something. But inquiring minds want to know
At over $100.K I think we ask.
Hopefully they did a better background check than the Kenosha Human Resource Dept did on that Rizzo guy who worked as a deputy for the Sheriff’s Dept!
He needed to stay at that job for 4 years to get the full pension. I think we should change the name of
Salem Lakes to Cluster Fuck Falls. It has a nice ring to it , doncha think ?
I’ve lived in Salem for about 12 years. I still don’t understand why we have to import people from out of state to administer local government. We import from IL to the Salem Board to raise our property taxes to pay for stupid shit we don’t need. Now we’re importing someone from the Communist state of MN to lead the Board? Great.