ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 2, 1996 TAG: 9604020074
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
John D. Buck, Radford's former commonwealth's attorney, started work Monday as the interim juvenile and domestic relations judge for the 27th District.
Buck was sworn in Thursday in Hillsville after the circuit judges from the district - which includes eight counties and two cities stretching from the New River Valley to the North Carolina line - selected him late Tuesday.
The judges made the appointment after the General Assembly deadlocked this winter on six judicial appointments, leaving retiring Judge William Thomas Jr.'s seat unfilled.
Buck, whose private practice was in Radford, closed his office to begin his job as judge.
Although he did not apply to be a candidate for the judgeship, Buck said he was interested in the job beyond January 1997, when the legislature must again try to reach agreement on a candidate.
Buck, a Democrat, has been a substitute judge for lower courts and was Radford's commonwealth's attorney for 28 years before he was defeated by Republican Randal Duncan in 1989.
He said he planned to meet with all the school principals in his district to see what problems they are facing.
``Hopefully, I can make a difference. ... I've always been a strong believer in prevention,'' Buck said.
The state Senate bowed to the realities of a 20-20 split between Democrats and Republicans this year and adopted rules that gave GOP senators an unprecedented voice in naming judges. The Democrats, who control the House, insisted on keeping the authority.
The impasse means the governor makes circuit court appointments. Local circuit court judges fill interim general district and juvenile slots.
Three other candidates were nominated for the 27th District seat: H. Lee Chitwood and Woody Lookabill, both of Pulaski County, and Victoria Robison of Montgomery County.
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