Overland Park selects new City Council member to fill vacancy
Stacie Gram was sworn in as Overland Park’s newest City Council member Monday night, via a video conference call.
Officials selected Gram, a longtime resident with a background in health insurance and health care law, to fill the 4th Ward council seat left vacant by Gina Burke, who resigned in April. She will serve the remainder of Burke’s term, at least through the November 2021 election.
The 4th Ward covers a portion of the western half of the city, from 119th Street south to 151st Street.
“Having lived in Ward 4 for almost 20 years now, which seems incredible, I feel very comfortable that I’m familiar with the community, familiar with the concerns of the people that live there, and that I can represent them and the entire city well,” Gram said during an interview with the City Council.
A committee — made up of Mayor Carl Gerlach and Councilmen Fred Spears and John Thompson — narrowed down the list of applicants. While 12 residents applied, the committee only interviewed eight of them.
Daniel Osman was one of the applicants who was not offered an interview. Osman was Spears’ opponent in last year’s election. Spears, who also represents the 4th Ward, defeated Osman with 58% of the vote.
Monday night, the City Council considered two finalists for the seat. Besides Gram, the other finalist was Patty Markley, a former state representative.
Gram has been active in the Overland Park community and previously served on the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
Gerlach swore in Gram at City Hall while the other council members watched over a video conference. Gram thanked her husband, who waited outside to abide by social distancing requirements.
Later in the evening, Gram participated in one of the City Council’s most recent controversial discussions — whether to close city pools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City Council voted 11-1 to keep pools closed, with Gram voting with the majority.
This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 5:11 PM.
