Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Partin
Hi Elise, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always believed Cayce is a special place. Long before I’d ever thought about entering public service, I made a commitment to always do my part to protect and improve the city I love.
In the mid-2000s, I became concerned because Cayce faced some very serious challenges — including having lost our AAA credit rating, which could potentially impact our wallets and the quality of city services. I knew that, if left unchecked, these problems could begin to erode our quality of life. I couldn’t sit idly by and let that happen. And frankly, there were some major shortcomings in the way City Hall operated that badly needed to be addressed. So I did something I thought I’d never do — I ran for office.
It was an uphill fight. I was the underdog, and there were a number of people who tried to dissuade me from running — including even some well-intentioned folks who believed I was setting myself up for disappointment. But while I lacked political experience and ‘connections’, I honestly felt I had the professional qualifications, the commitment and the work ethic to make a meaningful difference. So I dedicated myself not only to working harder than the other guy, but to meeting one-on-one with as many Cayce residents as possible. I decided to keep my campaign totally positive, focusing on issues and ideas and, most importantly, listening to peoples’ views and suggestions. And what I found out was that what people wanted, more than anything else, was for someone to listen to them.
I spent less than $10,000, but nothing beats listening to people. That first race helped shape my approach as mayor — working hard, always remaining easily accessible, and offering a positive style of service that focuses on bringing people together and setting the right example for the community.
Since then I’ve worked hard and given my very best efforts for the city I love, and I’ve attained a solid record of accomplishments of which I am very proud. I’m pleased to say we’ve made tremendous strides in improving city operations — beginning with restoring our perfect credit rating — and, more importantly, Cayce’s overall quality of life. We’re among the safest cities in the Midlands, with one of the top police departments and some of the best police response times. The city operates more efficiently than ever, and our tax rates are among the lowest in the region even as our quality of life is among the highest. We’ve become a leader in securing outside grants, which allow us to make needed infrastructure improvements — such as replacing most of our aging water lines — while keeping taxes low.We’ve got second-to-none recreational opportunities. And we have a thriving arts district, which has been crucial to our beautification and revitalization efforts while providing opportunities for local artists.
Cayce has been recognized as one of the most taxpayer-friendly places to retire in South Carolina and as the number one city in the state for recent graduates and millennials.
I’m honored to have been invited to share our city’s successes with other municipal leaders across the state and nation, including at the Mayors Institute for City Design and the Municipal Association of South Carolina, of which I am a past president.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Despite our many undeniable successes, there have certainly been some bumps along the way. As with many governments, there’s sometimes an undercurrent of politics and gamesmanship bubbling just below the surface, if not right out in the open. It can threaten progress on important issues and hinder our ability to have meaningful dialogue, and it sets a poor example for the community.
But a good mayor must be able to rise above politics and keep the city moving forward, so that’s one particular challenge I’ve faced.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The first woman elected to the office of Mayor in my city, I have led a city government for more than a decade and a half and have been told I carry celebrity status as an impactful, nonpartisan servant-leader who builds consensus, activates innovations, and accomplishes the unimaginable. I am passionate about helping others find their voice and set goals. I have a tenured career as a highly regarded coach supporting leaders to successfully navigate tough situations, communicate clearly and be successful. Drawing from real-world experience, I am able to invest in others giving them an empowering road map and resiliency skills. I am now the longest serving Mayor in the region, and am a regular on lists of influential and powerful leaders who make a positive difference.
I have been adept at successfully circumventing and navigating high conflict situations to bring about strong outcomes for my City and all involved. I am strategic in engaging stakeholders for buy in and institutional success. I have successfully negotiated tough situations from the local insurance company to the Fortune 500 company creating buy in from the businesses and taxpayer benefits and positive outcomes for our City. I have led our City through crisis, staying focused before, during and after on the daily goals of connecting citizens. I have been able to accomplish remarkable improvements for Cayce, S.C. — an up-and-coming small city adjacent to a state capital — fundamentally transforming our city’s functioning, ethics and livability, making it a low-cost high-quality place to live, work and play.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as anything that makes life better for the people of Cayce… anything that makes our streets a little safer or our city more beautiful… anything that helps taxpayers keep a little more of their own money… or any time a good, new business comes to town.
Another important measure of success is increased citizen-involvement, which has been central to my service as mayor. Ordinary folks taking the time to help guide their city’s future — whether by serving on a board or commission, sounding off at a council meeting, or volunteering in the community — is a hallmark of healthy government.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elisepartin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elise.partin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayorelisepartin/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-partin-public-speaking/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkNsRjtO32s
