Committee advances three reappointments and one new appointee to state boards

The Family and Veterans' Services Committee on Oct. 12 advanced three appointments to state advisory boards and recommended them favorably to the full Senate.

The committee gave a favorable report to Sonya Timmons for the Fifth Congressional District seat on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, reappointed Susan John as Seventh Congressional District chairperson for the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, and reappointed Lynn Melton to the State Board of Social Work Examiners as a master social worker. Each action was approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Sonya Timmons, who was sworn in during the committee meeting, told senators that her interest in the commission is personal: her middle child is blind and receives services from the commission. Timmons said she brings private-sector finance experience to the role — including a recent promotion to chief financial officer — and urged focusing on technology training and private-sector partnerships to increase independence and employment opportunities for people who are visually impaired. "If we can get clients comfortable with embracing that technology ... they will be amazed at how easy and independent they will be," Timmons said.

Committee members praised Timmons' background during brief questioning. Staff confirmed Timmons' personal data questionnaire, statement of economic interest, criminal-history check and other routine materials were complete before the screening.

Susan John, whose reappointment the panel also advanced, told senators she has served on the commission for two years and has been chair for those two years. John said she has spent decades in roles supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and views the commission's work as an extension of that service.

Lynn Melton, up for statewide reappointment to the State Board of Social Work Examiners as a master social worker, described more than two decades of service on licensing and oversight matters. Melton said she has served on the board since February 2004 and has been chair since February 2005. "This is the role of the social work board — to protect the public, and I take that role very seriously," Melton said, explaining the board's focus on consistency in orders and on orienting new board members to that obligation.

Senators who questioned Melton asked about board membership levels and workload; Melton said the board recently rose from as few as three members to roughly six and that caseloads have been "fairly consistent" over time. She also recommended raising state salaries to help retain social workers in public service.

Each applicant underwent standard screening questions from committee staff, and senators moved favorable reports for each nominee. Motions were seconded and passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Votes at a glance - Sonya Timmons — Appointment, South Carolina Commission for the Blind (Fifth Congressional District): favorable report (voice vote, no opposition). - Susan John — Reappointment, South Carolina Commission for the Blind (Seventh Congressional District, chair): favorable report (voice vote, no opposition). - Lynn Melton — Reappointment, State Board of Social Work Examiners (master social worker): favorable report (voice vote, no opposition).

The committee took no additional action beyond advancing the nominees; next steps are consideration by the full Senate.