Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 12, 1990                   TAG: 9007110257
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RADFORD                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOME FOR PROSECUTOR

It's taken time for him to make the transition from private-practice lawyer to elected official, but Duncan is finally making himself at home.

Last week Duncan began moving his offices into an old colonial home on First Street after having to share an office for his first six months on the job.

Things had gotten off to a rough start for Duncan when he had to haggle a little with City Council to find a new office and get money for equipment and supplies.

In January, when he left his position with the Jenkins and Quigley law firm, Duncan began sharing the Norwood Street offices of lawyer John Dalton Jr.

City Council gave him $250 a month for leasing and office equipment and the state Compensation Board also gave him money for supplies.

Council began contributing $300 a month to Duncan's new office July 1, City Manager Robert Asbury said.

Since Duncan works part time for the city and does part-time private legal work, he will help pay for the new office.

Duncan said: "It's been tough getting acclimated to the job plus trying to get located in a new office."

He said the early troubles with council "shouldn't have been like that. Unfortunately it happened, but it's been worked out."

Councilwoman Polly Corn said "our original problem was a lack of understanding."

The previous commonwealth's attorney, John Buck, served for 28 years and owned his own office building, so council never had to pay for his office, Corn said.

When the issue came up in January - for the first time in 30 years - no one knew exactly how to handle it.

"We knew what we had to do, but we just couldn't do it in 24 hours," Corn said. "But it's worked out. It seems a fair agreement."

Renovations are nearing completion at 724 First St., which Duncan and Dalton will share.

The 84-year-old oak floors have been refinished, most of the painting is done and the air conditioning is already cranking.

Books are still piled in the hallways and some finishing touches are still being done, so it's not exactly home yet. But once it's finished, Duncan will be a two-minute walk from the Police Department and the courthouse at the Municipal Building.

Even without a permanent office, though, Duncan got off to a good start in the courtroom in his first few months.

He worked with Radford police to get 19 drug indictments from this year's first two grand juries. He also won a conviction of a 14-year-old boy on the city's first crack possession case.

Lt. Jackie Roop and Sgt. Gary Harmon, two of Radford's chief investigators, have said that Duncan is easy to work with and that they are impressed with his efforts.

Duncan also said that he feels he has established a good relationship with Radford police.

"That's the key - being able to communicate," Duncan said.

Things also have worked out well for Duncan and his former landlord, Dalton. The two have teamed up and will be sharing a new company - Dalton and Duncan, P.C. - as well as the new office.