Celina, Texas Podcast: It's hard to imagine that a city poised to be the most extraordinary success story in recent Texas history is tearing itself apart at the seams. If one were to look at some of the popular Facebook Group Pages, one would likely...
Celina, Texas Podcast: It's hard to imagine that a city poised to be the most extraordinary success story in recent Texas history is tearing itself apart at the seams. If one were to look at some of the popular Facebook Group Pages, one would likely believe that Celinans hate each other. But why? How could such a fantastic city have so much hate and vitriol?
Well, this minor manufactured disease called "politics" tends to do that to communities, and it's sadly apparent that Celina isn't immune to this nasty disease either; especially when you have a Mayoral choice to make. But what makes this political season so strange is that the incumbent Mayor, Sean Terry, has held the position of Mayor for a decade -through all of the challenges on the path to becoming the "fastest growing city in Texas" and something no Mayor had faced before: COVID.
So why is there any controversy at all over Sean Terry? Most would be grateful for the record-setting successes and the leadership demonstrated to overcome the pandemic as a community. But, oddly, that isn't the case.
There is more polarization and "self-sorting" in Celina, Texas, than ever. And what is this division based on? Plainly put, growth. You see, there are two distinct factions in Celina today, one that prefers Celina grow and develop slower (if at all) and the other, a group that has come to terms with the fact that the growth is coming and who now seek to manage that growth.
So how does this division in Celina, Texas, make for a Mayor that would be a first choice in most cities but seemingly hated by some in Celina? Because he is the "face" of development. Sean Terry is more than just the Mayor of Celina. He is also an employee of Centurian American, one of the largest developers in North Texas. Does it make sense now? The "build a wall around it and keep people out" crowd generally does not like Mayor Sean Terry, and the folks who see and love Celina's growth potential typically do like him.
So how do you take down a popular Mayor, one with credentials that include leading a small farming community to the status of fastest growing city in Texas and leading that city through a pandemic? Easy. You turn them into a villain or a criminal. You know, you have to flip the script. But how?
Well, that's not easy unless the FBI happens to show up at said Mayor's door to conduct a "raid." You know, helicopters flying overhead, smoke grenades going off, FBI Agents pounding on the door with Ninja masks on. It's a dark and sordid tale told many times to influence how people vote. But was it a "raid?" What really happened at Mayor Sean Terry's home when the FBI showed up?
Even with an FBI "raid" and all the verbal theatrics one could heap on the story, you would still need more than that to take down a wildly popular Mayor (so popular that he didn't draw an opponent for many years.) That's where Mayor Sean Terry's employment comes into play.
The story goes like this: since Sean Terry works for a developer, AND that developer has some projects in Celina, he MUST be on the take, right? Oh, and let's not forget to mention how often Mayor Sean Terry has to recuse himself as Centurion American moves to take over Celina in its evil scheme for world domination [cue the laugh of Dr. Evil in Austin Powers.] But wait, there's more. Gossiping minds want to know (or tell you) about how Sean Terry doesn't technically live in Celina -or at least his trailer isn't appropriately registered, so he MUST be in some sort of default, right?
Here's the good news: Mayor Sean Terry chose to sit down with Host Ron Lyons (who was recently very much on the fence himself about Mayor Terry) and tell HIS story, the one free of hateful agenda and the one you are less likely to hear from the Mayor Sean Terry haters. Basically, "The Story You Weren't Supposed To Hear." But it's a story that you DESERVE to hear, and you can have that opportunity in this episode of Celina Radio.
Mayor Sean Terry discusses everything from the FBI situation to his employment at Centurion American, the conflict of interest, his living situation and more. It may not be our typical fun episode, but it's an important one, -important for all of us.
We hope you enjoy this episode of Celina Radio. Be sure to stay until the very end, as Host Ron Lyons provides a nice little break from the political nonsense of the day for some much needed unity and healing!