ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, March 9, 1996                TAG: 9603110040
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-3  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER

ASSEMBLY GRIDLOCK KEEPS JUDGE ON JOB POLITICAL PARTIES CANNOT AGREE ON FILLING VACANCIES

The General Assembly achieved gridlock Friday as state lawmakers were unable to fill 10 of 15 judicial vacancies, including one in the New River Valley.

For the second straight year, New River lawmakers could not agree on a replacement for retiring Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge William Thomas Jr. of Pulaski.

The larger deadlock was caused by a House-Senate disagreement over how judges are selected.

The Senate, bowing to the realities of a 20-20 split between Democrats and Republicans, adopted new rules that give GOP senators an unprecedented voice in naming judges. The Democrats who control the House insisted on keeping this most-cherished prerogative all to themselves.

The impasse means that Gov. George Allen will make appointments to any circuit court vacancies. Local circuit judges will fill general district and juvenile slots, including the 27th District bench occupied by Thomas.

The House Democratic Caucus recommended Lee Chitwood of Pulaski County. But the Senate could not choose between Chitwood, Glennwood Lookabill of Pulaski County or Victoria Robison of Montgomery County.

The new Senate rules added to the impasse.

In the past, the decision would have been made by the three Democrats who represent portions of the 27th Judicial District: Sens. Madison Marye of Shawsville; Jack Reasor of Bluefield and Virgil Goode of Rocky Mount.

The new Senate rules add a fourth voice: Republican Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo of Fincastle.

Predictably, the senators were divided along geographic lines, following the recommendations of the bar associations in their districts.

"Instead of solving the problem, it made the problem worse," Reasor said.

Thomas, who lives in Pulaski and presides in Pulaski, Wythe and Bland, had hoped to retire last December. He recently agreed to extend his time on the bench.

LENGTH: Short :   46 lines
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996