By Staff Writer
In a recent public video update, Carroll County Commissioner Ed Rothstein (District 5) and Chief Administrator Roberta Windham sat down to discuss current priorities, challenges, and the continued commitment to community collaboration across the county.
The message, timed just after the Fourth of July holiday, opened with reflections on community, service, and the importance of staying focused on the everyday needs of residents. “I think about my role as your commissioner, and I try to stay focused on filling potholes—not politics,” Rothstein said, encouraging residents to reach out with concerns that matter most to them.
Windham, who Rothstein described as “the best chief administrator in Maryland,” echoed his message, highlighting both staffing needs and service coordination as top concerns. The county employs approximately 800 commissioner staff and supports 1,300 people on payroll, including departments like the Sheriff’s Office and the courts.
A central theme of the conversation was behavioral health and the county’s role in addressing mental health, addiction, housing instability, and aging population needs. Windham outlined how Carroll County partners with the state-run Health Department and local departments like Citizen Services to support residents facing complex challenges.
“Mental health is a huge issue,” Windham said. “Whether it’s helping someone find stable housing or supporting our seniors through isolation or depression, we’re involved on many levels.”
What makes Carroll County stand out, she added, is its strong inter-agency and nonprofit coordination. “People from across departments and organizations regularly come together,” Windham said, referring to groups like the Continuum of Care, which meets to find solutions to shared social issues.
“I always say I can be mentored by my elders, my children, and my peers” says Commissioner Rothstein. He introduced the concept of “braided services,” a term he borrowed from a recent meeting with the Health Department. Rather than being loosely connected like a patchwork quilt, he said, Carroll County’s services are tightly woven—interdependent and collaborative.
“We’re not just sharing ideas—we’re taking action together,” Rothstein said.
Both leaders closed with a message of gratitude for the community’s involvement and encouraged residents to continue engaging. They emphasized that the strength of Carroll County lies in its people and the relationships that bind public servants, nonprofits, and residents together. To listen to the full one-on-one podcast conversation, visit the Carroll County Government Youtube Channel.
