Nicholas Cheney, Mayor

My family and I have called Girard home for the past 15 years. My wife, Hannah, and I are raising our two children here, and this community is where we’ve built our life. Girard isn’t just where I work. It’s where we do school events, weekend activities, and all the day-to-day things that make a town feel like home. It’s personal to me, and I take the responsibility of representing this city seriously.

Before stepping into this role, I spent 20 years teaching Special Education. That work shaped me in a big way. It taught me to listen first, stay patient when things get complicated, and communicate clearly with people who deserve respect and straight answers.

I’ve also been involved in coaching high school athletics for 19 years, including 12 years as a head coach. Coaching taught me what it means to lead through service, hold yourself accountable, and bring people together toward something bigger than themselves.

As mayor, my focus is simple: work hard, be accessible, and keep moving Girard forward in a way that reflects the values of the people who live here. I want residents to feel comfortable reaching out, asking questions, and sharing concerns. I believe in being honest about what the city can do, what it can’t do, and what it will take to get things done.

I also believe local government works best when people feel heard and when we treat each other like neighbors, because that’s exactly what we are.

I’m grateful for everyone who supported me, encouraged me, and showed up during the election, and I’m just as committed to serving those who didn’t vote for me. My job is to work for the entire City of Girard. I’m proud to be here, I’m ready to get to work, and I’m committed to serving this community with integrity, steady leadership, and a genuine love for the place we call home.