WHEREAS, S.C. Code Ann. § 1-3-240(B) states: "[a]ny person appointed to a state office by a Governor, either with or without the advice and consent of the Senate, other than those officers enumerated in subsection (C), may be removed from office by the Governor at his discretion by an Executive Order removing the officer"; and

WHEREAS, membership on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind is a state office created by S.C. Code Ann. § 43-25-10 that is not listed among the exempt state offices enumerated in S.C. Code Ann. § 1-3-240(C); and

WHEREAS, Nancy W. Knowles of Aiken, representing the Third Congressional District, and Barbara Leonard of Florence, representing the Sixth Congressional District, were previously appointed to the South Carolina Commission for the Blind by a Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers conferred upon me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of South Carolina, I hereby remove Nancy W. Knowles and Barbara Leonard from the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and declare their seats to be vacant.

This Order shall take effect immediately.