Judge Williams Announces Retirement Plans

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
  Buchanan County Circuit Court Judge Keary R. (Bob) Williams will retire effective December 31, 2007.
  Williams notified Supreme Court of Virginia Chief Justice Leroy Hassell of his decision to retire in a letter dated January 5, 2007.
  At the same time, he also notified other judges in the 29^th Circuit including the Honorable Michael Moore, the Honorable Henry Vanover and the Honorable Teresa Chafin, as well as members of the southwest legislative delegation for the state of Virginia.
  The legislature will be responsible for making the appointment of someone to fill Williams’ post.
  Williams has been a judge in either General District or Circuit Court in Buchanan County for the past 21 plus years. He was named the Circuit Court Judge in 1995 and was sworn in February 16, replacing retiring Circuit Court Judge Nicholas E. Persin.
  A graduate of Grundy High School, Williams is a 1966 graduate of Duke University and holds a bachelors degree in chemistry. He earned his law degree from the University of Richmond in 1971. He is a former Buchanan County Commonwealth Attorney and was in private practice before becoming Buchanan General District Court Judge in the mid 1980s.
  In accepting his appointment as Circuit Court Judge, Williams said it had long been his dream to serve the Circuit Court.
  "I never thought the opportunity would come, but my vision, my dream has become reality this day," William s said as he was sworn in almost 12 years ago.
  He continued, "at the expense of sounding radical, I think this is one of the last bastions between chaos and harmony in society. We have developed a process where in an orderly fashion criminals are punished for wrongdoing and civil wrongs are paid, thereby negating the application of an eye for an eye. We need to guard that system well. If we abuse it, don't sanctify it, or honor it, we leave it horrible for our progeny."
  He said then that while sometimes it seemed the fountain of justice didn't flow, but rather dribbled, that his pledge would be to work hard to see that justice flowed.
  At the projected time of his retirement, Williams will have served 22 and one-half years as a judge.
  “These years have been challenging, exciting, interesting and stimulating,” Williams wrote in his letter to the chief justice. “I can state that during all those times, I always looked forward to my day and my responsibility as a part of the resolution process.”
  He called his time on the bench “rewarding.”
  “Day to day, the encounters with members of the Bar as well as the litigants, clerks, court personnel, commonwealth attorneys, their assistants and the citizens of the Commonwealth have been a rewarding experience,” Williams continued. “My most positive recollection from those years will be that my respect and esteem for the Virginia Judiciary has always been elevated by the judicial training I received, both resident and non-resident, while associating with multi-jurisdictional judges, both state and federal.
  “I always returned to my post with a renewed regard and confidence in the Virginia Judiciary,” he continued.
  Williams said his health is good at present and added he would be happy to continue to serve the Virginia Judicial System during his retirement years in any way the chief justice deems appropriate.
  “It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve as a Virginia judge,” Williams concluded.

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Board Reorganizes: Branham Named Chairman
Ratliff Named Vice Chair; GOP Members Shut Out on Committees

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
  North Grundy Supervisor Carroll Branham, a Democrat, was named chairman of the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors, Monday, after two rounds of balloting during the re-organizational meeting of the board.
  Rocklick Supervisor David Ratliff, also a Democrat, was named the vice chairman.
  Other action to make appointments to the various boards and community committees on which board members serve saw the two Republicans on the board shut out from service with neither former South Grundy Chairman Roger Rife, nor Garden Supervisor Buddy Fuller named to any board-appointed committee.
  County Administrator W. J. Caudill opened the board meeting Monday and accepted nominations first for the chairman’s post.
  Knox Supervisor Pat Justus nominated Branham for the post with a second by Hurricane Supervisor William P. Harris.  Fuller nominated Ratliff with a second by Rife.
  The first round of balloting saw both candidates vote for themselves and saw Branham also pick up support from Harris and Justus and Ratliff pick up support from Rife and Fuller.
  Prater Supervisor Eddie Lindsay could have cast the deciding vote on the first round of balloting, but after commenting on the “considerable pressure dropped in a man’s lap,” asked about the effect of an abstention and ultimately said he would abstain from the vote meaning the first vote failed 3-3.
  “You get perceptions of one thing and then it’s something else,” Lindsay said as he pondered his vote. “Is there no other business we can take care of first?”
  Board members said there was none.
  “I’m still confused . . . I’m sorry,” Lindsay said.
  “Do you want us to appoint someone to vote for you?” Justus quipped.
  Lindsay then abstained from the vote.
  The same motions were tried again and were made by the same supervisors; however in the second round, Ratliff, who voted the first time for himself, voted in the second ballot for Branham to serve as chairman. Also voting for Branham in the second ballot were Justus, Harris, Lindsay and Branham, who voted for himself.
  Fuller and Rife both voted for Ratliff as chairman.
  The vote to name Branham chairman passed 5-2.
  Justus made a motion to name Ratliff the vice chairman and Harris seconded it. The vote was unanimous.

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