Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
An asterisk (*) indicates the candidate is an incumbent. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Andy Hopkins*
Experience:
Celina City Council, Chamber of Commerce board, commander - American Legion, Rodeo Celina - board
Occupation:
Owner - The UPS Store Celina
Candidate Website:
https://www.hopforcelina.com
Contact Information:
972-342-8542
Why are you running for council?
Serving this community has been an honor, and I will continue advocating for our city’s best interests. Celina holds a special place in my heart, I'm committed to maintaining the unique traditions. Celina's heart lies in its traditions, I’m committed to preserving our cherished heritage, steering us toward thoughtful progress.
What are the biggest challenges Celina is facing?
Our growth will continue to be an opportunity to positively impact Celina’s future. The challenge lies in managing its rapid growth, balancing infrastructure development with preserving its small-town charm. While growth presents opportunities for economic expansion and community enhancement, it also strains resources and infrastructure, necessitating careful planning and management.
How do you plan to address these issues?
This wave of growth would have been here anyway; prioritizing the negotiation of development agreements with incoming developers is crucial. These agreements require developments to annex into the city voluntarily will secure their investment in our infrastructure needs, ensuring sustainable growth while preserving our community's character and quality of life.
What would your top priorities be if you are elected?
My top priorities will include fostering and attracting small businesses to bolster our local economy. Additionally, I aim to attract responsible corporate campus-type companies to Celina, stimulating job creation and development that aligns with our community's values and needs. Continuing to work on answering our infrastructure needs is also vital.
Ghentry Pace
Experience:
20 years of C-Suite experience, HOA board, church leadership roles.
Occupation:
Chief revenue officer
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556461032353
Contact Information:
945-217-9410
Why are you running for council?
My family and I have lived in this community for almost 10 years and loved it however the unrestrained residential growth and lack of adequate planning for the challenges that come with it have led to me throwing my hat in the ring.
What are the biggest challenges Celina is facing?
Unrestrained growth created by hundreds of millions in tax incentives for residential developers have created infrastructure burdens including crumbling roads, an overtaxed police, fire and public works department, and a water/sewer system that has been over utilized. These Incentives will create higher tax rate obligations for the citizens of Celina.
How do you plan to address these issues?
I support a more balanced approach to growth between commercial, residential, and light industrial and an accurate 5 year plan in place showing growth projections and the supporting tax revenue to take future burden off of the citizens of Celina instead of the year to year focus we have now.
What would your top priorities be if you are elected?
Eliminate future tax incentives for Residential Developers. Remedy the current water/sewer emergency and accurately plan for the needs of the future. Establish term limits to better insure more people have a voice in our great city. Fund the needs of our police, fire and public works to support our growth.
Julissa Porcher
Experience:
City volunteer and board member (special events board) as well as HOA VP.
Occupation:
Realtor
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/share/jsbajdbEDhjJQZyz/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Contact Information:
469-731-6653
Why are you running for council?
I am running because I want to be the voice for those that feel they cannot. Advocacy is my focus in life. I have been helping residents of Celina since we moved here; helping, volunteering where is needed. I helped translate for Spanish speakers for Grace Bridge handing out meals.
What are the biggest challenges Celina is facing?
Celina is facing major issues caused by poor decisions that were made 3-5 years ago. Focus has been on rapid growth and not on support systems, we’ve missed the mark on providing safe roads, lower taxes and building enough water supply to meet the needs of this rapid growth.
How do you plan to address these issues?
I plan to vote against more rapid growth without consideration to our support systems such as staffing our first responders so that all this new growth is able to be supported properly. Work on our roads and make them safe for the additional population.
What would your top priorities be if you are elected?
My top priorities would be as mentioned; infrastructure- increase our first responder forces, make our roads safe to drive on, and focus on correcting our now increasing cost of building a water tower to keep up with the consumption that is over captivity at this point due to poor planning.
