image by Mark/Marcus Photography

SEPTEMBER 6, 2025: Annual Meeting

Epic Change in Future Hopes of HOA Voted in by Large Majority  

To better cope with cloudy and potentially wet weather, the Whitetail Ridge Homeowners Association Annual Meeting was held inside the beautiful home of Bruce and Kathy Holtje, providing a pleasant space for this year's memorable meeting. A record number of properties (64) were represented by 25 community members, either in-person or via proxy. Discussions included improvements to roadways, enforcement and updating of the deeded reservations and covenanats, increased accountability for the few-but-chronic delinquent accounts, and an after-action report concerning the dramatic roadway wash-outs (2) that occured in May, and what mitigating actions may be taken to avert a future calamity of the same sort.

The full, five-member Board of Directors was in attendance. After the official sign-in process and distribution of documents, the meeting began at 11:20. Tina Walker presided over her second annual meeting. As she did last year,Tina requested each attendee to introduce themselves and describe their property location. As each spoke, respectful nods and smiles abound. It appears Tina has created a pleasant tradition.

Quite different than last year however, this year's meeting included lots of discussion concerning a potential change to the annual property assessment. No change was ratified last year. Members spoke of an increasing interest in building a stronger financial position for the 1100-acre community, with higher expectations, and the potential impact on improving property values, as well as the overall beauty of the community. Comments noted the need for better road surfaces, wider road shouders, removal of trees within the right-of-way, better maintained ditches, and an aggressive culvert replacement schedule. Some in attendance made emotional pleas concerning long-time community members unable to manage any additional expense.

Ultimately, the collective Board moved to increase the annual property assessment from $190 to $300. A secret-ballot vote was administered and, by a 42 - 22 margin, the new figure was soundly ratified. This action represents the largest increase in the 36-year history of the community; and happens just two years since a $25 increase was passed by a single vote at the time.

photo by Dan Hayes

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024: Annual Meeting

Community Members Come Together for Business and Pleasure  

A beautiful, brisk first Saturday in September added to the overall pleasant and productive Whitetail Ridge Homeowners Association Annual Meeting. Held at the pond pavilion, 25 community members representing 54 properties participated. Discussions included the physics of roadway wash boarding, invasive plants and insects, and the importance of diligent fire safety.

All four current Board members were in attendance. After an orderly sign-in process and distribution of documents, the meeting began at 11:10. President Tina Walker presented a warm welcoming message that included a reflection on past members – the late Chad Pennington and Susan Copenhaver - who each passed this year. Tina then asked all to introduce themselves. As each member stood and spoke, respectful nods, smiles and laughter were shared.

The often contentious issue of setting the annual assessment was facilitated by the Board as an anonymous vote. In 2022, a single vote made the difference for a $25 increase. In 2023, a failed attempt was made to reduce the annual assessment. However, this year the outcome was a 54-0 unanimous vote to retain the annual assessment at the current level.

The highlight of the meeting was the nomination and unanimous vote to elect Jennifer Willmon as the new Secretary of WTRHOA. With this very positive development, the community now has a full Board of Directors, which is dependent on significant volunteerism. Jennifer was accompanied by Pete Willmon, who decades ago, volunteered to install the roof on the community mailboxes/sign structure.

The meeting ended at about 12:30, but neighborly conversations continued. 

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023: Annual Meeting

Record Turn-out Votes Tina Walker President of Whitetail Ridge HOA

Thanks to cooperative weather, this year’s annual meeting of the Whitetail Ridge Homeowners Association saw broad participation from across the community. Held at the little Whitetail Ridge Pavilion alongside the community pond, a total of 72 of the 106 properties were represented, either in person or by proxy. Last year’s 61 was deemed a good turn-out at the time.

Members used a comprehensive sign-in form which included official records. A printed agenda was distributed, along with information concerning recent road maintenance and the contractor's culvert report. Important issues were brought forward by members, including feedback on previous roadway grading, future road surface application, a review of the association’s by-laws, common area maintenance, and the annual assessment. But the highlight of the agenda was the vote to name Ms. Tina Walker the eleventh president of the 34-year old community. Tina served on the board this past year, and will continue her collaborative and thoughtful leadership with fellow board members; Bruce Holtje, Rick Kroll and Susan Marshall.

Born and raised in Vermont, Tina is a corporate executive for a national organization in Northern Virginia. However, her primary residence is at Whitetail Ridge with husband Mike and her extended family. Mike and Tina have hosted memorable musical and potluck dinner events at their saw mill on Black Cherry Lane.

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SEPTEMBER 10, 2022: Annual Meeting

Single Vote Makes the Difference in Higher Annual Assessment

On a pleasant Fall Saturday morning, community members gathered together at the pond pavillion to participate in the 33rd annual Homeowners Association Meeting. President Dave Griese and other Board members facilitated the 90-minute meeting, which included a razor-thin vote on the annual property assessments. Two property owners, Rick Kroll and Tina Walker, volunteered to serve on the Board of Directors, and both were elected by the owners of the 61 properties represented at the meeting. The five-person Board serves in a voluntary capacity, and are responsible for administering the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and the Covenants & Reservations bound to Whitetail Ridge property deeds. Long-time Board member and current Director, Bruce Holtje, will resign at the end of his current term. Kathy Holtje also served on the Board in previous years.

Each year, participating members vote to establish the annual assessment to be charged to each of the 106 properties that comprise Whitetail Ridge. That annual fee was $165 for the previous two years. This year's motion to increase the annual fee by $25 drew significant discussion, and ultimately passed by one vote. A recount was requested, and the 31-30 vote was verified. When the community incorporated in 1989, the initial property assessment was $100.

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APRIL 2021: In Remembrance

Nicholas Boinovych, 92, of Ed Welsh Road in Burlington, West Virginia, died Tuesday, April 20, 2021 while

under the care of WVU Medicine Hospice. Surviving are his wife Dora of 59 years, his son Roger and

daughter-in-law Gwen of Burlington, son Stanley Boinovych of Cumberland, daughter Katherine Hayes of

Fort Ashby, and sister Ann Reed of Delaware, along with four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mr. Boinovych served in the United States Air Force for seven years during the Korean Conflict and was a

member of Boyce-Houser Post # 41, American Legion, in Keyser. He retired as a heavy equipment diesel

mechanic. Mr. Boinovych was among the original landowners of the Whitetail Ridge residential

community, and served as the first president of the Whitetail Ridge Homeowners Association in 1989.

For those of us who moved to Whitetail Ridge from afar back in the 1990s - seeking to build a new home

for ourelves - Nick Boinovych was often a crucial resource and creative problem-solver that helped

people pursue their dreams of living in the Potomac Highlands.

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JANUARY 2021: West Virginia Home of New National Park

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is our Nation's 63rd national park. It's roughly four hours drive southwest of Whitetail Ridge. It encompass 53 miles of the river known locally as "The New." It was given conservation status as a national river in 1978. Since then, it's been administered by the National Park Service, which maintains several visitor centers along the gorge. 

The updated title of "Park and Preserve" makes the New River Gorge only the second site outside Alaska to receive that designation. Most of the land will be a 65,000 acre preserve, which allows hunting and fishing. The park follows the river and covers 7,000 acres, an area about six times the size of Whitetail Ridge. At the center, the gorge is a mile wide and spanned by the New River Gorge Bridge, the longest steel arch span in the Western Hemisphere and the third-highest bridge in the United States.