These times are certainly unusual. There are days when I actively avoid the news about what novel approach to cutting government programs a nameless, faceless computer hacker has devised today. Much the way a hedge fund would liquidate assets in a company they were trying to look profitable, only to dress it up for a quick sale, or chop it up for parts, so we are carving up our government with a chain saw instead of a scalpel. There are a lot of good people, who have developed decades of expertise and competence in very specific subject matter. They are doing work that is sometimes repetitive or mundane, but none-the-less adds to a consistent data set we have been collecting for 250 years, or ensures breakfast gets delivered to underprivileged school kids who might not eat otherwise or makes sure the weather report is accurate. To see this class of public servants, who aren’t shilling for lobbyists or working on their next book deal, scapegoated as the cause of government graft by the very people who write the funding bills in the first place just makes me angry.

But, in the face of this, we must keep living our lives. As the president of your community association, I want to assure you, I am not in it for the money. (This is a volunteer position.) I know the impulse people feel to help their communities and to give back through service is real because I operate on that drive as well. And when our neighbor has to leave town to help her aging mother, we take in her mail, and care for her dog. When the snow comes, we clear the sidewalk not just in front of our house, but more. The Overlea Community Association is a voice for you in local politics, in business development, in beautification. But first and foremost, we want to help our community come together.

We want to empower you to be heard, but we also want to give you the opportunity to listen to each other. We want to encourage you to “love thy neighbor” if for no other reason than to live the Truth that people aren’t just self- interested, petty, and indifferent. Our struggles are shared. Our triumphs can be, too.

Martin Nibali
President, OCA

Elyse Morin and her husband Albert met as volunteers in Rockport, Texas while serving in AmeriCorps. Along with their daughter, they moved to the community in 2023. Elyse is a social worker at Oak Crest Village where volunteering is encouraged. As an event manager, she was drawn to chairing the Adult Movie Night in September. Elyse looks forward to engaging with the community and making Movie Night a successful annual event.

Anthony and Marci Medina and family moved to the community in 2022. In 2023 they greatly enjoyed attending the Annual Tree Lighting event. Anthony is a professional community organizer in East Baltimore, so organizing is his forte! When approached about chairing the 2024 Tree Lighting event- he easily agreed. Anthony looks forward to chairing the event again in 2025. A huge success!

Alex moved to Overlea in 2021. Alex attends the National Night Out events, helps with the Bus Turnaround and is a regular volunteer at the Overlea Farmers Market- the best kind- he comes early for set up! Alex is a Chemist at DAP and a very talented professional photographer. Alex wanted to do more in the community and has agreed to become editor of the community newsletter. He will produce the quarterly newsletter and oversee other volunteers working on the publication and distribution. Are you nterested in exploring volunteer opportunities with the Overlea Community Association? Contact Doris Poling, Vice President at dfpoling18@yahoo.com

If you’re interested in volunteering, please check out this page.

Updates by Councilman Mike Ertel.

The leadership of the Overlea Community Association met with Councilman Ertel two times in 2024, requesting the following:

• 7201 Belair Road. Help with this burnt-out building. The OCA has asked for help from Baltimore County Government with little or no action. This eyesore embarrassment has been allowed to stand and foul our community for four years.
• Road paving on the east side of Belair Road, inside the Kenwood Avenue loop. After the gas line project was completed by BGE, most roads were spot paved. The OCA asked State Highways to finish the paving in 2023, with no action. The OCA has asked Councilman Ertel to advocate for this and paving on the west side of Belair Road, as well as gutter, curb and sidewalk replacement, and much needed sidewalk ramps in the Cherry Heights Community.
• Legislation request. The OCA requested Councilman Ertel to introduce a bill that would limit live music in a Commercial Revitalization District (CRD)-which Belair Road in Baltimore County in Overlea has. Specifically asking for no outside music allowed after 9pm, permitting requirements to include providing off street parking and Community Association notification 30 days in advance.
• 6900 Belair Road. If the new business opens by March 13th, the liquor Board will allow transfer of the liquor license. The zoning change for this building happened last year restricting use that does not allow for a tavern. The liquor license transfer supersedes the zoning change under certain requirements. The OCA requested legislation to limit the number of times these licenses can be transferred after a zoning change.

Walking is low impact, requires minimal equipment, can be done at any time of day and can be performed at your own pace. Walking is considered to be a weight-bearing exercise.

Some of the benefits include:

• increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness
• reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
• improves hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain, and diabetes
• stronger bones and improved balance, increased muscle strength and endurance and reduced body fat.

Calling all parents, educators and caregivers , Overlea ArtsFest invites your young artists to contribute their artwork to our next exhibition! We are hosting a Youth Art Show for kids and teens at the start of the summer, generously sponsored by our friends at Rosedale Federal Savings & Loan. Details with Rec & Parks are still being worked out, but we hope to hold the Youth Art Show at the picturesque Holt Park & Center for the Arts on June 7th and 8th, for a whole weekend of family fun and community engagement.

Artists can be aged 6 thru 17, but all skill levels and mediums are welcome! There is no fee to enter the show and no formal submission process. Art can be dropped off at Holt Park during the week before the show. Prizes will be given to winners in each category. More info is available at https://overleaartsfest.org/youth-art-show/. Let your child’s imagination soar with an array of unique art & craft activities while you enjoy a beautiful day together at the park, complete with snacks from Pappas Seafood Co.! Learn how you can help support Overlea’s young and emerging artists at this event and beyond by visiting OverleaArtsFest.org.

Dozens of residents joined DPWT staff last month at the Overlea-Fullerton Senior Center to learn more about the design plans for the proposed West- East Pedestrian and Bicycle Trail.

The approximately 3-mile West-East Trail would help connect Overlea and Parkville communities. The planned trail will run from Hiss Avenue and Harford Road through Lillian Holt Drive. It will connect communities on Harford and Belair Roads, allow entry to Double Rock Park from the east entrance of the communities, (on Belair Road) and connect them to the proposed North East Trail and on to White Marsh. The project will add road markings and signage to create the trail thereby increasing safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. The OCA has voted to support this project.