In a memo to Northampton County Council's Personnel Committee, Executive John Brown has announced the appointment of Bob Eyer as chief public defender after he withdrew Robert Sletvold's nomination for that position.

Brown withdrew Sletvold's name earlier in the week because of the burdens that appointment could impose on the courts. Sletvold is married to newly elected Judge Jennifer Sltevold.

President Judge Stephen Baratta ruled that, to avoid the appearance of impropriety, Judge Sletvold would be disqualified from any case involving the public defender's officer. That amounts to about 75 percent of the criminal and juvenile caseload.

The burdens this imposed on the Courts were evident in Judge Sletvold's first day on the bench, where she was sitting as Motions Judge. Those judges hear bail revocations, bail reductions, and domestic abuse contempt matters. Judge Sletvold had to recuse herself, and another judge had to stop a criminal trial to hear the matters.

Several council members, including Democrats Ken Kraft, Scott Parsons and Bob Werner, had stated they would vote against the nomination. Republican Council members Mat Benol and Hayden Phillips also expressed concerns.

Eyer, who maintains a private practice in the Easton area with Attorney Steven N. Goudsouzian, will be paid $57,20 for this part-time post.

A 1992 graduate of Dickinson law School, Eyer has served as an assistant district attorney in Northampton County, becoming its chief violent crime prosecutor. He also served as chief judicial law clerk to Superior Court Judge Robert Freedberg.

His appointment must be confirmed by County Council.