In August, a divided Northampton County Council adopted a controversial residency ordinance, requiring all future cabinet officials and many department heads to live in the County where they work. But it had a short shelf life.

Executive John Brown quickly vetoed the new measure, arguing it would "restrict the ability of current and future administrations in attracting the best candidates ... ." In order to override that veto, council needed six votes at its Sept. 4 meeting.

The effort missed by one vote, effectively killing the ordinance.

Council members who support a law requiring top positions to be filled by County residents are Republican Mat Benol and Democrats Lamont McClure, Ken Kraft, Scott Parsons and Bob Werner. But Republicans Peg Ferraro, Glenn Geissinger, Hayden Phillips and Seth Vaughn prevented council from obtaining the 2/3 majority required.

Geissinger argued a residency ordinance would "tie the hands of the county executive," while Hayden Phillips noted it would be ridiculous to expect someone to move into this area for what might only be a three-year job.

Two years ago, council members Ken Kraft and former member Tom Dietrich proposed a return to elected row officers, including the sheriff. Northampton and Luzerne are the only two counties in the state that appoint their sheriffs. After a frosty reception, the matter was tabled.

Last year, Kraft proposed an ordinance that would require all row officers to be residents. That failed in a 6-3 vote.

Sentiments appeared to change after Executive John Brown appointed David Dalrymple, a retired major in the New Jersey State Police, as sheriff. Though he only lives 6.4 miles from the courthouse, it's in New Jersey.

Kraft called the appointment of a New Jersey resident as sheriff "a slap across the face" of 600 law enforcement officers in the county.

"We have somebody with police powers who doesn't live in the state," he added.

Under the vetoed ordinance, any future appointee would have a year to establish residency in the county.

McClure predicted, "This will become law. Just not tonight."

In other business, McClure proposed an ordinance that would require council scrutiny over any contract over $10,000, even contracts awarded as the result of competitive bidding. The current limit is $100,000. A hearing and vote on that proposal will take place at council's next meeting on Sept. 18. Ken Kraft joined McClure in sponsoring this new legislation.

Former council member Ron Angle, who had sponsored the legislation that required council scrutiny over contracts in excess of $100,000, argued this proposal goes too far.

"He [John Brown] is the executive," Angle said. "It is his job basically to run the county ... To hamper his ability to run the county is not the answer."

Brown himself offered no comment.