News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Robin LaLonde answers questions a via video streaming during the Alpena County Finance, Ways & Means Committee meeting on Tuesday. LaLonde was appointed to be the new commissioner of District 3 after it became vacant when former commissioner Dave Karscnick died last month. LaLonde will hold the seat until the end of 2024.

ALPENA — District 3 in Alpena County will have a new commissioner representing it after the board appointed the replacement for former commissioner Dave Karschnick who died last month.

During Tuesday’s Finance, Ways & Means Committee meeting, Alpena County commissioners voted to appoint Robin LaLonde into the vacant seat. She will finish Karschnick’s term, which wraps up at the end of 2024.

The commissioners asked questions of LaLonde and Adam Poll, who also threw his name in the ring to be appointed.

LaLonde appeared at the meeting via a live video stream because she is overseas on a long-planned vacation.

After learning that she was selected to represent her district and the balance of the county, she told The News that she is eager to get to work with the other commissioners and county staff. She also said Poll would have been an exceptional choice if the board had chosen him.

“I am honored, I’m grateful, and I’ll be ready,” she said. “I look forward to being brought up to speed with the other county commissioners and serving the community I feel so passionately about. Kudos to Adam Poll, who would’ve done a great job as well.”

LaLonde is known in Alpena for her charitable work and volunteerism. She has played a critical role in helping make the construction of the new Boys and Girls Club of Alpena a reality and has worked other projects too.

She said on Monday that she intends to continue to work hard to make Alpena the best it can be, and represent residents to the best of her ability.

“I have a genuine interest in the betterment of our community and I have a passion for Alpena and don’t want to see anyone left behind,” she said. “I have a lot to learn, but I promise to give it my all.”