Personal Biography
Melissa Cheatham was elected to the City Council in November 2021. Cheatham is a mom, community advocate and policymaker with experience solving problems at the federal, local and neighborhood levels. Cheatham has lived in Overland Park since 2012. She and her husband, Chris, are the parents of two children, who are students in the Shawnee Mission School District.
Education
Bachelors of Arts, George Washington University
1. Update our rules (called the “Unified Development Ordinance”) to make it easier to build diverse forms of housing – especially “missing middle” housing.
2. Continue to innovate and evolve in our approach to public safety. Fully fund police, fire, mental health, and other professionals to keep us safe.
3. Make it easier, safer, and more enjoyable to get around by improving infrastructure– especially for people who walk and bike–reducing dangerous speeding in our neighborhoods, and increasing enforcement for drivers who break the rules.
–Current City Council Member and Chair of the Public Safety Committee.
–Former volunteer Overland Park Environmental Advisory Council, Climate Action KC.
–Former Professional Staff, U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.
–Great listener and communicator.
–Tenacious question asker. Determined solution-seeker. I refuse to take “we’ve always done it this way” as an answer.
Our thriving city is shaped by City Council decisions about:
–Economic Development and Investment. What projects are allowed and encouraged. I vote for projects that help us thrive by creating housing, jobs, and gathering places that contribute to our high quality of life.
–Public Safety. Safety is the foundation of our community and depends on public safety professionals being paid fairly for their service, having access to the equipment they need, and leadership that promotes trust with the community.
–Taxes and Infrastructure. How much you pay in taxes and what you get for it. Roads, sidewalks, parks, trash collection, and community events like the Farmers Market and block parties.
I’d be honored to continue representing you.
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