CLIO — Fostering solidarity and community among the state’s mayors, Governor Henry McMaster, in collaboration with the Association of South Carolina Mayors and the Municipal Association of South Carolina, recently extended an invitation to Clio Mayor Adam Pate to visit the Governor and First Lady Peggy McMaster, inside their lovely and historic home, the Governor’s Mansion, located in the state’s capital of Columbia.
Accepting the invite, Mayor Pate spoke with the Herald-Advocate about his experience.
“It was such a pleasure and honor to be in attendance. I really enjoyed networking with other mayors and discussing issues we face collectively across the state, such as the recent spike in energy costs that have so greatly affected our county and Clio,” Mayor Pate said, adding that roughly 45 mayors from around the state attended the event.
Pate said a buffet of hors d’oeuvres as impressive looking as they were delicious was graciously provided by governor mansion staff.
The mayor expressed what a pleasure it was to fellowship with Governor McMaster and the first lady as the governor’s tenure comes to an end.
A key moment for Pate came when the governor spoke, sharing how much it means for him to hear from business leaders and prominent politicians he interacts with regarding the state’s reputation for still being well known as a “Hand-shake state.”
“I think it means a lot to know we are thought of as true to our word, that still means a lot and something we believe in sticking by in Clio,” Pate said.
Another stand out moment for Pate, as it touched on a subject near and dear to his heart, was when the governor shared his desire for South Carolina to retain its farmland.
“The governor pointed out we are one of the fastest growing states in the nation and we need to focus on preserving at least half of our farmland and other open land spaces. I know we want to bring growth, but no one wants to see a concrete jungle either,” Pate added, saying he believes in the preservation of land so much he even spoke privately with McMaster about the issue.
“In Clio we really are in the center of everything — only a couple hours from Charlotte, the beach, Raleigh — and it’s important we grow while staying true to the farmlands that brough us here today. Clio is rich in history and started out as a little railroad town where trains were a source for providing farm supplies, so we want to grow and expand, but also honor our roots,” Pate explained. He added, “I may be partial, but Clio is one of the most beautiful areas in the state; its home.”
A highlight of his trip, Mayor Pate said he greatly enjoyed taking in the beauty and history of the Governor’s Mansion, saying that McMaster shared some of the home’s history with the mayors, detailing its story of survival through some of the state’s darkest days, such as Sherman’s march to the sea.
During February 1865, General William Tecumseh Sherman and his band of Union soldiers set Columbia and the Arsenal Academy ablaze in retribution for the state’s secession. The Governor’s residence, located at 800 Richland Street, ended up being one of the only buildings spared from Sherman’s matches.
“It was so exciting for me to tour the home and see so many memorabilia items from his time serving our state as its governor — definitely a bucket list item for me,” Pate said.