Oak Hill: Volusia Sheriff's deputies now our cops

NSBNews.net photos by Henry Frederick / Oak Hill City Commissioner Kathy Bittle, shown at far left, casts the lone vote Monday night against a formal contract with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office to provide around the clock policing. In the middle photo are Sheriff Ben Johnson and Chief Deputy Bill Lee with forrmer Oak Hill police officer M.J. Eberhart sitting in front of them.

OAK HILL -- The City Commission approved a contract with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office tonight for around-the- clock policing, but one commissioner dissented in protest to the earlier disbanding of the police force.

Commissioner Kathy Bittle quietly, but sternly voted "no," when it came to her turn with Commissioners Doug Gibson, Linda Hyatt, Ron Engele and Mayor Mary Lee Cook voting in favor of the one-year pact that officially begins Sept. 1. 

After the meeting, Bittle said she had no issue with Sheriff Ben Johnson or his deputies. 

"I think Oak Hill should have its own police department," she said. Asked by NSBNews.net if her vote was subliminal in favor of former embattled Police Chief Diane Young, Bittle shook her head no.