What you need to know
Candidate Cory Denena will be running against incumbent Dan Thornton for the Place 2 seat in the May election. Incumbent Dana Wilcott will be seeking re-election for Place 5, facing four challengers on the ballot: Brandon DeLeon, Marcus Coleman, Evan Porterfield and Nicole Calderone.
Candidates were asked to answer the questions provided in 50 words or less and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Brandon DeLeon
Experience:
Bachelor's in business management, three years of long-term revenue planning for a $100-900 million business and Hutto citizen for the past four years
Occupation:
Senior demand planner
Candidate Website:
http://www.facebook.com/LetsGoBrandonHutto
Contact Information:
512-763-7378
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priorities include infrastructure initiatives, such as road improvements to several key roads that would help alleviate and provide safe travel through our city. Water capacity improvement and wastewater projects, while not letting that go onto the taxpayers of Hutto. Cutting unnecessary spending of taxpayer's money.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I am a citizen that is tired of seeing the city government treating the elected seat that they are in as a platform for personal gain instead of helping the community. I have no business or hold any position that I would gain from city council. I just want to improve my city.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
The greatest challenge is focusing on the right priorities to run this city. We need roads and water. We also need a way to pay for that without just constantly increasing taxes and burdening the constituents. Every decision will be carefully criticized and vetted through before I would vote on ...
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
I am a passionate person, when I decide to dedicate to something I am 100% in. As a citizen, I have grown tired of some of the things that I have witnessed at council meetings and the decisions made to burden the taxpayers. I am dedicated to Hutto and doing ...
Cory Denena
Experience:
Hutto's Parks Advisory Board, Diversity and Inclusion Commission, Charter Review Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustments, HOA board of directors, lifelong educator, master's degrees in educational administration and music education, high school principal and improvement specialist in three international schools in Latin America, Spanish speaker
Occupation:
Educator
Contact Information:
737-259-1250, [email protected]
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Build a responsive infrastructure to cater to our growing population's needs. Plan far ahead, expand roads, follow through on meeting future water and wastewater needs. Take advantage of available green spaces, develop nature trails, trail connectivity, playgrounds and other amenities. Fiscal sustainability to develop essential infrastructure and stimulate economic growth.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
Forward-looking and practiced in bringing people together with emphasis on collaboration, cooperation and working together to solve problems. Pragmatic, middle of the road, independent thinker and not aligned with existing factions on the council. Serve on several boards in the city of Hutto. Visionary spirit with a forward-looking leadership style.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
Managing rapid growth while providing essential infrastructure such as roads, water and wastewater, to ensure safety, mobility and other quality of life assets such as nature trails, trail connectivity, parks, playgrounds and other amenities. Accomplish by being pragmatic, collaborative, creative and unleashing talent of city employees to solve problems.
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
I recently collaborated with other volunteers to clear and maintain 2.6 miles of nature trails in Hutto. Also working with the Parks Department to develop additional trails and trail connectivity. I am a singer-songwriter who plays in the local area, and a classically trained singer and conductor.
Dan Thornton
Experience:
Hutto City Council Place 2 from 2020-present, Hutto Parks Advisory Board 2019-2020 and Hutto Economic Development Corporation 2017-2020
Occupation:
Software engineer
Candidate Website:
http://thorntonforhutto.com
Contact Information:
512-763-0951
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Road expansion, construction and repair. Water and wastewater infrastructure capacity. Maintaining and enhancing our highly rated police department. Continued respect for the tax burden on our residents, relentlessly working to prioritize needs, spend wisely and not overburden our residents.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
Nobody catches everything, but I have a strong attention to detail, solid understanding of complex interactions and an ability to cut through technical and legal documents to understand real world impacts of our decisions on Hutto residents. I'm not here to chase a legacy, I'm here to represent the taxpayers.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
Paying for and completing all the needed road, water and wastewater projects. I will work to prioritize projects by need and impact, make sure development is paying its fair share, and pursue every funding source to minimize the additional tax and utility burdens on residents.
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
I believe everyone running truly cares about Hutto, but who you think cares the most is a terrible basis for voting. Passion is great, but mine is expressed by working to spend your tax dollars and utility payments wisely, and only take what we need to move the city forward.
Dana Wilcott
Experience:
Degree in mass communications and public relations, master's of education in teaching and learning, certification in operational leadership, school district educational leadership experience, city of Hutto employee experience and experience sitting on many boards and commissions
Occupation:
Education
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Roads, Roads, Roads! As a council member, it is not what “I see” as the greatest challenge, it is what the citizens see as we are a voice for the citizens. According to the 2024 City Services & Culture Survey, the citizens of Hutto have expressed the need to focus on ...
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I have been a resident of Hutto for over a decade and have had the opportunity to work with Hutto ISD and the city of Hutto. I have been on many commissions and boards, including the Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce, and Hutto nonprofits. My unique perspective of having relationships ...
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
By 2070, the state’s demand for water will far exceed our supply. We need to safeguard our water resources and improve water infrastructure by upgrading our conveyance systems, flood control planning and monitoring the feasibility in our water treatment plant. I would also love to see a water conservation movement ...
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
I have been a community advocate and educator in Hutto for over a decade, serving on several boards and commissions over the years: Hutto Has Heart (now Hutto Resource Center), Hutto ISD/COH Strategic Planning Committee, Hutto Chamber Volunteer Coordinator for many events; Hutto Women’s Alliance, Hutto’s Big Event, Volunteers ...
Evan Porterfield
Experience:
Serving on a board of directors (past and present), career in managing multimillion dollar projects (other people's money), business ownership (my money), background in sales and operations management (good with people and resources), very strict work ethic, attention to detail, four daughters (conflict resolution) and husband (undergo tense moments of fellowship)
Occupation:
Project Manager, Business Owner
Candidate Website:
http://www.facebook.com/evanporterfieldhippo5
Contact Information:
512-843-1348
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priority will be to carry out the will of Hutto residents. We are most concerned with fiscal responsibility and must do what is needed to reach that goal as quickly as possible, including a tighter grip on how money is spent with regard to future expenditures.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I am not unique in that I want what most Hutto residents want: consideration for future growth. We're growing at an unsustainable pace. We must slow down to speed up. I believe anyone in Hutto with a desire to grow Hutto effectively and efficiently would qualify for this position.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
The greatest challenge for Hutto is Hutto itself. We keep repeating mistakes instead of learning from them. Like Les Brown once stated, "You cannot expect to achieve new goals or move beyond your present circumstances unless you change." We must learn from our mistakes, adjust and move forward.
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
I am a father, husband and business owner. I'm fully invested in the success of Hutto. Win or lose this election, it won't stop my drive to grow Hutto into a thriving town where I'm proud to raise my family and serve yours.
Marcus Coleman
Experience:
Hutto Economic Development Corporation treasurer, Emergency Preparedness Task Force member, real estate professional, urban planning experience, M.A. in org management, M.Ed. in family and community nutrition, experienced in education, business owner, health professional and author
Occupation:
Real estate and business owner
Candidate Website:
http://vote4coleman.com
Contact Information:
512-846-3194
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Streetscaping, restoring professionalism and improving the physical and mental health of our residents.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I am a qualified candidate with diverse experience in urban planning, real estate, education and business. I bring expertise in land use, development and sustainable growth, as well as a comprehensive understanding of our city's challenges. I am dedicated to advocating for effective policies that support education, a thriving local ...
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
As your councilman, I will address the city's challenges by prioritizing streetscaping, improving water and sewage infrastructure, and supporting small businesses. I will work with experts and community members to develop aesthetically pleasing streets, upgrade water systems and create a business-friendly environment. I will lead with professionalism, transparency and open ...
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
I am an organized, freethinking individual with a sense of urgency. I enjoy speaking to groups and have experience in various ventures, including founding a retail food line, owning a business consultancy and nonprofit organization, and writing a children's nutrition book.
Nicole Calderone
Experience:
Mom, community activist, homeschool educator, HOA president, volunteer coordinator, maker, coach and servant leader
Occupation:
Service coordinator
Candidate Website:
http://www.nicoleforhutto.com
Contact Information:
512-751-1702
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Enhance the quality of life by improving traffic flow, securing natural resources and stabilizing utility costs. My focus will balance master plans and prioritization of capital improvements projects to optimize project completion.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I am an 18 year resident who is frustrated with empty promises and buzz words. I have the institutional knowledge and vision for Hutto to hold onto the small town feel while responsibly growing our tax base and service programs.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the city, and how will you improve it?
Neglecting truths for the sake of keeping up appearances while accountability has been nonexistent. Hutto needs to bust myths and learn the lessons of the past by micromanaging assets and establishing the enforcement of clear performance expectations.
What is something you want Hutto residents to know about you?
I want Hutto residents to know that this is my 6th campaign for council. I know more about city business than the average citizen and am practically begging for the job. Hutto has horrendous voter turnout but I hope this year breaks past records.
