Every citizen should be able to use and enjoy their property as they see fit (within the boundaries of the law) without interference from their neighbors. Ms. White’s new home is cause for celebration and is something we can all be proud of. It’s always nice to see tax dollars used to provide those in need with relief. Now the question remains, will the City of Oak Hill step up, do the right thing, and complete the circle?

This Memorial Day weekend, while spending time with family and friends, please take time to reflect upon our county’s fallen soldiers and the sacrifice they made while protecting our freedom. To learn more about citizens of Oak Hill who died while serving in the Armed Services of the United States, visit the Oak Hill Field of Honor. It’s located at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Halifax Avenue. There you will find a flag which represents a citizen of our city who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect us.

This Memorial Day weekend, while spending time with family and friends, please take time to reflect upon our county’s fallen soldiers and the sacrifice they made while protecting our freedom. To learn more about citizens of Oak Hill who died while serving in the Armed Services of the United States, visit the Oak Hill Field of Honor. It’s located at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Halifax Avenue. There you will find a flag which represents a citizen of our city who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect us.

Hurricane Season is almost upon us. Click here for more information about how you and your family can prepare in advance for a storm and understand the risks they may present. Hurricane preparedness week is May 5-11, 2024. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a complete list of actions you should take, and how to understand forecast information.

Historic Macedonia AME Church
Recently the City of Oak Hill purchased the property at 222 Cummings Street for $65000. This parcel of land is home to the Historic Macedonia AME Church building.

A description provided by FLORIDA MEMORY, State Library and Archives of Florida, reads, “the WPA Church Record for Macedonia A.M.E. Church in Oak Hill, Volusia County, established in 1890. This African Methodist Episcopal church served a mainly African-American congregation, and was pastored at the time of the survey by W.L. Gainer.” Click here to view this description and learn more about some of the other churches that have made Oak Hill their home in the last century or so. Click here to view some historic documents pertaining to this church.

The Village Improvement Association (VIA) was formed in 1906 by trustees F.W. Hatch and H.J. Maugruder. In that same year, F.W. Hatch donated land located at 146 U.S. Highway #1, and the iconic octagonal building known as the VIA Hall was built on that site.
In 1917 Joan Howes donated a property located at 126 East Halifax to the Village Improvement Association (VIA). This property is where the building currently resides. The land was deeded to the “the people” and was never to be sold.

It looks like the city has been collecting less for trash pick-up than they’ve been spending. According to our city accountant, they seem to have an $86,000 shortfall for 2023. The expense for the year was $302,000 while the “assessment revenue” was $216,000. At Monday’s meeting the commission will discuss our options to correct this shortcoming. I don’t think corrective action will have an impact until fiscal year 2025. I hope the loss for 2024 won’t be the same as 2023. If it is, that would mean that in those two fiscal years, the city paid $172,000 more than they collected for trash pick-up service.

The New Smyrna Beach Heritage Festival will be held on April 6, 2024. It looks like they will be holding the event on Sam’s Avenue and the surrounding parks. The Oak Hill Saints and Sinner’s Cemetery Group, spearheaded by Dru Ann Welch, will have a display set-up outlining all that has been accomplished and all they hope to accomplish in the future. Dru Ann and her crew have been doing a fantastic job cleaning and restoring these two historic cemeteries back to their rightful state. The effort put forth by this group should inspire us all and instill a sense of pride in our community.

Turnout at the January 24, 2024 workshop for the Indian Harbor Estates sewer project was incredible. Inside the commission chambers, it was standing room only. Dozens of concerned residents had to stand outside and listen over a loudspeaker. Key speakers at the event included Michael Ulrich, who is Director of Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities, Oak Hill City Engineer Brad Blais of Mead & Hunt, and Oak Hill City Attorney Scott Simpson. Citizens had many questions, most of which were answered at the meeting.

Turnout at the January 24, 2024 workshop for the Indian Harbor Estates sewer project was incredible. Inside the commission chambers, it was standing room only. Dozens of concerned residents had to stand outside and listen over a loudspeaker. Key speakers at the event included Michael Ulrich, who is Director of Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities, Oak Hill City Engineer Brad Blais of Mead & Hunt, and Oak Hill City Attorney Scott Simpson. Citizens had many questions, most of which were answered at the meeting.