LCI advances reappointments to state boards, clears three candidates

The Labor, Commerce and Industry committee on an unspecified date reported favorably on three reappointment screenings, advancing Alpha Bailey for reappointment to the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission and Paul Hampton Kenimore III and Dr. Benson Garrick Messer for reappointment to the State Athletic Commission.

Committee staff swore in each candidate and reviewed submitted materials including personal data questionnaires, statements of economic interest, SLED background checks, credit reports and driving records. Alpha Bailey told the committee he founded Bailey Specialties Inc., a fireplace company, in 1970 and ran it for about 30 years before turning it over to his son in 2004. He said he was first appointed to the residential builders board by Governor Hodges in 2002 and has served for 23 years, including four years as chair and 13 years as vice chair. Bailey asked staff to correct a phone number in his packet and said a settlement figure listed in the packet was a typographical error: the settlement related to a right-of-way acquisition was $750,000, not $75,000,000.

Paul Hampton Kenimore III (recorded as Kenimore/Kennemore in the transcript) told the committee he has served about 16 years on the State Athletic Commission and credited his father’s service on the same board beginning in 1990. Senator Garrett made the motion for a favorable report on Kenimore; the committee voted in favor. Dr. Benson Garrick Messer, identified as a local emergency department physician who has provided medical consultation for fighters and as state surgeon for the Army National Guard, was also screened and reported out favorably after a motion and vote.

Each screening concluded with a motion for a favorable report and a committee vote approving the reappointments. The committee did not record roll-call vote tallies in the transcript; votes were taken by voice vote with members saying “aye.”