Brett Hotaling appointed to his father’s seat

VOORHEESVILLE — The village board last week swore in Brett Hotaling to fill the trustee seat left empty by the death of Hotaling’s father, Deputy Mayor William Hotaling, the week before.

“It all happened so fast,” Hotaling said, adding that he has not yet formed his own political goals or ideas for the village. His appointment will last almost a year; village elections are held in the spring.

William Hotaling had followed in his own father’s footsteps, becoming the village’s superintendent of public works — a position he held for 29 years.

“No matter what cause he was undertaking… he always had the best interests of the community in mind,” said Mayor Robert Conway after his death.  “He was a tremendous advocate for the village.  I think that stems from being generous of heart.”

“I’ve lived here for 40 years,” Brett Hotaling said this week. “I can make a difference in the village.”

Hotaling owns Hotaling Landscape, Inc. in Voorheesville.

“I’m not so interested in being a big politician,” he said. He plans on doing a fair job for the village, he said.

“He’s appointed by the mayor until the end of the year,” village Clerk-Treasurer Linda Pasquali told The Enterprise. According to village law, she said, a special election will be held in March for the remaining three years of William Hotaling’s four-year term. Hotaling was returned to his seat in an uncontested election this past March. He served proudly as deputy mayor for several terms.

Longtime Trustee Richard Berger was appointed deputy mayor last week, Pasquali said.

Brett Hotaling, as his father had before him, offered a willingness to speak openly with the press and the public.

“We’re thrilled to have him on board,” Pasquali said. “I think he’s a fine choice.”