News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Erinn Kane, left, takes her oath of office from Alpena Clerk Anna Soik during the Alpena Municipal Council meeting Tuesday. Kane was appointed to serve on the council until the end of the year. She said she intends to run for a full four-year term in November.

ALPENA — Erinn Kane, who was appointed to serve on the Alpena Municipal Council last week, is prepared to use her knowledge of the law and politics to serve her new constituents and help move the city forward.

She was appointed to the board after former Mayor Matt Waligora resigned and new Mayor Cindy Johnson took his place, which created a need for someone to fill the vacant seat.

Kane, who beat out three others who filed for the appointment that only lasts until the end of the year, said she intends to run for a full term during the November election.

Kane has been involved in government since she was in high school and became more ingrained in state and federal politics when she worked for former State Representative for Northeast Michigan Peter Pettalia, Michigan State Senator John Moolenaar, who has now moved on to Congress, former State Senator Jim Stamas, and played a large role in campaigns for former congressman Dan Benishek.

She said she has always taken pride in helping to serve the people in Alpena and that is one of the main reasons she turned down a job to work in Washington DC. She said taking a job in the nation’s capital would disconnect her from the community she was trying to help.

She said that being on council will allow her to interact with residents and address the thoughts, concerns, and ideas of the people who live in Alpena.

“I have always wanted to get involved in local government and this is the first time in my life where I have the time to do so,” she said.

After disconnecting herself from politics, Kane went to law school and became a lawyer and now owns her own practice in Alpena.

She said local judges set her work schedule based on the court proceedings for her clients Kane added it will only be in rare instances where her work in court and with clients would conflict with her duties with the city.

“I basically make my own schedule when I’m not in court,” she said.

Kane said she was surprised the council selected her for the open seat and said she is looking forward to getting to work, meeting staff, and helping the people in the community any way she can.

She said although her appointment is only good until the end of the year, she hopes to be victorious in November and become a permanent fixture on the council.

“This was not something that I got into for the short term,” Kane said. “My goal wasn’t just to be a fill-in. I really want to be enveloped into the community and become entrenched as deeply as I can.”

Kane said at this point in her life, she isn’t considering a run for a higher office, possibly in State government, but she wouldn’t rule out that sometime down the road she may. She said for now, she is happy to become a member of council and to work with the other council members to handle city business.

“I don’t want people to think I’m using this as a stepping stone for a run at something else,” she said. “This is what I wanted and I’m just so excited and ready to get to work.”