Alpena Mayor Matt Waligora

Mayor Matt Waligora was the guest speaker at the Alpena Lions Club meeting Tuesday. He updated the Lions about three city issues he hopes will be resolved by the end of 2022.

Waligora discussed the ongoing water dispute between the City of Alpena and Alpena Township. He said the sides continue to work toward resolution.

The mayor also talked about the future of recreational marijuana in the city. He said that city officials explored how other communities in the region have handled allowing businesses in the industry operate. He encouraged Lions to visit one of the businesses in other communities to see how those businesses operate.

Waligora also talked about downtown parking and the possibilities that exist for the future.

Lion Dave Zeller began handing out Lions of Michigan Foundation raffle tickets for the annual drawing in May. Tickets can be purchased from any Lions Club member for $10. The top prize is $5,000, with over $13,000 in total prizes. The club will be selling Lions of Michigan Foundation cookbooks starting in December.

Lions Steve Murch and Zeller announced the date has been set for the gala banquet celebrating the club’s 100th anniversary in 2026. The date has been set so the club could schedule current 1st International Vice President Brian Sheehan, who will be International President next year, as keynote speaker.