Diane Valden is reporting for The Columbia Paper Ghent Assessor Lynn Hotaling [H oh-T AE-l ing] is now also the assessor for the town of Copake. Hotaling was appointed to the post by the Copake Town Board at its January 11 meeting. The town's former Sole Assessor, J. Craig Surprise, had his employment terminated in mid-December. That action was later revoked, but Surprise was never reinstated as assessor. Neither town officials or Surprise would comment on the situation. Prior to appointing Hotaling, the board accepted Surprise's resignation, dated January 9, but then immediately rehired him as assessor consultant from January 9 through February 28. Town Supervisor Jeff Nayer said Surprise was appointed, “to get her up to speed. We want a smooth transition.” Hotaling will serve through Sep. 30, 2019. She formerly served as Copake assessor and also as deputy town clerk. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.