Celina Is Already Great. But It's Time to Lead It Toward Even Better.
- Ron Lyons
- May 4
- 3 min read
Celina, Texas. It's more than just a city on the map — it's home. And if you've lived here for any amount of time, you already know what makes it special. It’s the small-town values, the front porch waves, the way neighbors show up without being asked, and the deep, shared pride that unites us in faith, family, and community. I've been proud to call Celina home for the past 32 years, and in that time, I've seen our town from every angle — from the sidewalks of downtown to the back rooms of city politics. I’ve seen its best moments, and unfortunately, some of its worst.
That’s why I created the "Make Celina Great Again" cap. Not to say Celina isn’t already great — because it is. But we also can’t ignore the growing political division that threatens the very values we all claim to stand for. The cap isn't about sides. It’s about putting Celina first. Every penny of profit from the hats is being donated to Helping Hands of Celina because that’s the kind of unity and neighborly support we should all be focused on.
Three years ago, one group in our community engaged in some heavy-handed political tactics. I strongly opposed them then because I believed their actions were not aligned with proper leadership values. I also knew that their actions would serve to divide our community. But to their credit, that group has since shown significant change. They’ve pulled back from the brink, become more constructive, and have integrated better with the broader Celina community. That’s a win for all of us.
However, in a disappointing twist, the group I have long supported just took a page out of the same old political playbook. In the final council meeting before this year's election, two council members moved to censure a sitting council member who just so happens to be running for reelection. While I fully support their right to bring forward that motion if they believe it’s warranted, the timing was wrong. Doing it at the last meeting before the election smacks of political theater, not leadership. It appears to be a calculated move to sway public opinion in favor of their candidate. And frankly, that’s not the Celina I believe in.
What the "Make Celina Great Again" cap represents is a new direction. I’m done playing sides. I’m leading the charge to dissolve the barriers between these two political factions — to eliminate the agendas, retribution, and manufactured outrage that keep our city divided. The only way forward is together. Not as two groups locked in constant retaliation, but as one town that remembers why we fell in love with Celina in the first place.
Let this also serve as a notice to those still playing games behind the scenes. I have a platform — including my podcast, my Facebook group, and a very large network of likeminded business owners and community leaders who are fed up with the endless power plays. If either group or elected individuals within those groups continue to put their egos and vendettas ahead of their responsibility to lead Celina with honor, unity, and vision, I will not hesitate to use that platform to hold them accountable in a very public and relentless way. If you love Celina and work hard to make it the best it can be, I will be your strongest ally and work along side you. However, if you choose instead to serve yourself and foster the group versus group mentality, I will be your greatest obstacle. We didn’t elect you to feud. We elected you to lead and unify.
So yes, Celina is already great, that goes without saying. But there is real room for improvement when it comes to our leadership, our political culture, and these two small circles of influence that have spent too much time trying to outmaneuver each other instead of uplifting the city.
Let’s put an end to the drama. Let’s put Celina first. And let’s actually mean it.
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