By Jenni Vincent

Ogden Newspapers

MARTINSBURG – Thanks in large part to a growing regional interest, the Eastern Panhandle Organization of Homeowners Associations will continue to hold meetings in both Jefferson and Berkeley counties during 2012.

Membership Chair Nance Briscoe said she and other EPOHOA officials especially were impressed with the large local attendance in December when the monthly meeting was held at Sissy’s Restaurant.

That event drew about 40 individuals from 20 HOAs in the two counties, a number that far exceeded organizers’ expectations.

As a result, the two-year-old nonprofit organization will alternate its meetings between the two counties. The first meeting was held Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Independent Fire Co. in Ranson.

Agenda items included an election of officers, discussion of common area taxation and possible approval for participating in the Jefferson County Day legislative event, which will take place in Charleston in February, Briscoe said.

The Feb. 15 meeting also will begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Bedington Ruritan, which has agreed to regularly host the Berkeley County sessions, she said.

“We especially appreciate the way Berkeley County is getting involved with us,” Briscoe said.

“And it has been especially gratifying that the Bedington Ruritan has opened their doors to us in such a positive way,” she said.

Briscoe credited Ruritan member James Kief, who also is an HOA member, for making the location possible.

As per the group’s tradition, some Saturday morning meetings will be held, including the March 17 session at 9 a.m. at Independent Fire Co. and June 16 at Bedington Ruritan at 9 a.m.

Other Jefferson County meeting dates include: May 16, July 18, Sept. 15 and Nov. 21.

The group also will maintain a booth in August at the Jefferson County Fair.

Upcoming Berkeley County dates include: April 18, Aug. 15, Oct. 17 and Dec. 1.

All evening sessions begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise announced, Briscoe said.

Additional information is available at www.epohoa.org or by emailing Briscoe at briscoen@frontiernet.net.