County Promotes Windham to County Administrator
Westminster, Tuesday, March 3, 2015 – The Carroll County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce the promotion of Ms. Roberta Windham, as the Carroll County Administrator. Ms. Windham will assume this new role on Thursday, March 5th.
Ms. Windham earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1983 and earned her Juris Doctorate Degree from University of Baltimore in 1992.
She is a member of the Maryland Bar Association.
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to say that we are very pleased to promote Roberta to this new position,” said Commissioner Stephen Wantz. “I have known Roberta for many years and she has always been professional, hardworking and dedicated. She brings extensive knowledge of the workings of county government and will be able to ‘hit the ground running’ in this new role. Roberta’s extensive experience and expertise will be an asset to the county.”
Prior to assuming her responsibilities in the Commissioners’ Office 4 years ago, Ms. Windham managed her own legal practice which focused on Estates and Trusts Law.
She has lived in Eldersburg with her husband, Gary, and 2 daughters, Sarah and Katherine, since 1994.
Please help Carroll County Government welcome Ms. Roberta Windham to this new role.
Related: Chief of staff's budget prowess not total sum of legacy
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-steve-powell-0504-20140504,0,5082719.story
Powell joins distinguished club of former Carroll County
Chiefs of Staff Eagle Archives by Kevin Dayhoff May 5, 2014
The recent resignation of Steve Powell, chief of staff for
the Board of Commissioners for Carroll County, brought back memories of other
distinguished individuals in county history who have endured that arduous
position: Richard "Pat" Hill, Robert A. "Max" Bair and
George A. Grier, to name a few.
In full disclosure, this writer had the honor and privilege
to have worked with every county chief of staff — executive assistant — since
the position was created in 1959.
[…]
Whether you agreed or disagreed with them, those who have
held the position deserve a special place in our hearts and prayers for their
service and commitment to Carroll County; for it is a wonder they are able to
retire and not be committed: On any given day, the chief must keep the wheels
of government running smoothly.
[…]
[…]
Meanwhile, it is only fitting that Powell will be leaving to
take a job in a retirement home — as vice president of finance for Carroll
Lutheran Village. Join me in wishing him the best.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Powell joins Grier and Bair in a distinguished club of
former Carroll County chiefs of staff
Eagle Archives
By Kevin E. Dayhoff,
Sunday, May 4, 2014
The recent resignation of Steve Powell, the chief of staff
for the Carroll County board of commissioners, brought back many memories of
other distinguished individuals in Carroll County history who have endured that
arduous position; Richard “Pat” Hill, Robert A. "Max" Bair and George
A. Grier, to name a few.
In full disclosure this writer has had the honor and
privilege to have worked with every Carroll County chief of staff – or
‘executive assistant’ - since the position was first created in 1959.
Being the ‘chief’ is an extremely difficult job - something akin
to being pecked to death by a flock of friendly geese. And then, of course,
there are those times when the geese were not so friendly. Whether you agreed
or disagreed with the chief; everyone who has ever held that position deserves
a special place in our hearts and prayers for their service and commitment to
Carroll County.
That said, it is a wonder they retire and are not simply
‘committed.’ On any given day, the chief has to keep the wheels of government
running smoothly.
This is a ‘mission impossible.’ It means keeping everyone
happy including the commissioners, county department directors and bureau
chiefs, county employees, and other elected officials from the delegation to
Annapolis to any number of the eight county mayors and numerous council
members. Then there are citizens, state and municipal bureaucrats, local
nonprofits, churches and civic organizations.
Often my visits to the office of the chief of staff reminded
me of the lyrics to the 1970 David Bowie song, “All the Madmen,” from the album,
“The Man Who Sold the World.” “Day after day. They take some brain away. Then
turn my face around. To the far side of town. And tell me that it's real. Then
ask me how I feel…”
Consistently the individuals that have held the office have
exemplified all that is the best of those who aspire to selfless public
service.
Most recently the county commissioners announced the
retirement of Powell in a press release on April 24. According to the release,
“Powell has worked for the county for 28 years, most recently as Chief of
Staff. He began working for Carroll County Government in October 1985 as Budget
Officer. After 3 years in that role, he became the Director of Management and
Budget and served in that capacity until becoming Chief of Staff in January 2003.”
Powell followed in the footsteps of Hill, who had held the position for a
couple of years after Bair retired on October 1, 2001.
Bair had worked for the county 31 years. According to an
article in The Sun in September 2001 by Mary Gail Hare, Bair “started working
for the county as a planner in 1970…” Bair was first appointed to the office of
chief – executive assistant - in late 1983.
At that time, according to an article in The Sun on December
25, 1994 by Kerry O’Rourke, Bair “was named to replace George A. Grier as the
commissioners' executive assistant. Mr. Grier had held the job for 25 years.”
In a county government reorganization in December 1994, Bair was given the
title of ‘chief of staff.’ Bair currently works as the Youth Program Coordinator
for the Business and Employment Resource Center.
The first ‘chief of staff’ was Grier, who first joined
county government in 1959, as the “first county administrator until his
retirement in 1983. He likewise was the county's first planning director, developing
the first county Master Plan and its zoning regulations. During this time, he
served seven boards of county commissioners,” according to his published
obituary after he passed away on Oct. 13, 2002.
Meanwhile, it is only fitting that Powell, according to an
article in The Sun by Keith Meisel, will be leaving to take a job in a
retirement home – as vice president of finance for Carroll Lutheran Village.
Join me in wishing him the best.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Other stories by Kevin E. Dayhoff:
It's beginning to look a lot like . . . pickle ornaments? [Eagle Archives}
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF
At the Carroll County Farm Museum holiday house tour and open house on Dec. 5, museum volunteer Michele Crew distributed glass pickles to the volunteers in attendance. I have a very vague recollection of hearing about a glass pickle Christmas tree ornament while growing-up in Carroll County.
![A love story that began on New Year's Eve, 1945 [Eagle Archives]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uX0gs2bVRSBOKBDz_ZglJvTBHCICnNIX6slllnL8B8NB2g3xP9hMH7vmz4Cwrz0XPzuwx4P51lAqrQdYB936OYBle43f_2hcRMgx7VhVxg_nEynnRFWfVHZC_3lbWGw5WMC1iCLnfZgO20o-XETSKa-eGvePLe9lcqdmI=s0-d "A love story that began on New Year's Eve, 1945 [Eagle Archives]")
A love story that began on New Year's Eve, 1945 [Eagle Archives]
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF
Much of the time, history can be the dry stuff of names and facts or memorized dates found in textbooks. Nothing can bring history alive more than our own memories or growing up listening to the recollections of our parents or grandparents.
![Westminster mayor remembered [Eagle Archives]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_syf9VItVm6nxDkCqXRKKcNU3zjvItBhHUF-Qev8aLxDaPnxVh5HWRQqUWFnH6Mw-phKE95pOB7MlKR3UoUjmiHM5UtPjom2a4MzPvT6Wqmh_uz8dfmAlW7EEmJCysYfJENPHSQPd9ntWL6Xk3LL65Zgs6TxCYWDV5gyX9B=s0-d "Westminster mayor remembered [Eagle Archives]")
Westminster mayor remembered [Eagle Archives]
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF
Many historians would agree with state Sen. Joe Getty, a local historian, who wrote, "Researching local business histories is difficult and challenging. Sources for such information are generally scarce and incomplete?"
![Consider chilled treat as weather begins to cool [Eagle Archives]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vqIzQu4zuyePfFdbnguXHhiAmYCOywgKTYHWtvUo_XArJV0MPxB3srP8T7UXXkEZ-2wmbGkWcBkCa_lFPn7xXhI5MChdKt95kn15At2Zih1pYGuagIvoWChbB9JWRHVm-Wzb97IxqkF_jWcsL_sP0IdH0LK4LgY57umA=s0-d "Consider chilled treat as weather begins to cool [Eagle Archives]")
Consider chilled treat as weather begins to cool [Eagle Archives]
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF
Much of the discussion about the 250th anniversary of the City of Westminster has emphasized the early establishment of the retail stores, restaurants and hotels in town that provided goods and services for the steady stream of settlers who were traveling west.
![Nov. 15 5k honors memory of Terry Burk and Sam Case [Eagle Archives]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tCee6iTFYRYemlYOIo6iIZ7LIa-xXsjmYdY2PCX0IRvFn20JF39jLSuUoD5In5lu0HBumt0dC7yaH1rVWz_jUl_vm6Y5zlXHsCfbL9dRuaiA0xBPJXBcbGjUIXinV8iXuyMN97DhGDov80ia3FGcPToGXkVq4sUeVOrQiH=s0-d "Nov. 15 5k honors memory of Terry Burk and Sam Case [Eagle Archives]")
Nov. 15 5k honors memory of Terry Burk and Sam Case [Eagle Archives]
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF
Since 2003, the event, which is sponsored by the Westminster Road Runners Club, has been held in honor of the memory of Terry Burk, who was struck by a car and killed on Aug. 10, 1995, while jogging with his friends, Dave Roush, Don Myers, and Dave Herlocker, on Route 97 at Kalten Road.
![Carroll County's connection to Greece [Eagle Archives]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tjb-xl37b2y3wVA2aE9qBseKzqKApHVeb4F3ON7vC5bVQ0SBwJwzytjDk3PmsdEGvJqR9GWsvCf7kS8eVh_HxmVHRRH6XVAS-SjEnsRAzOi9YsloNeWDdTopLVOBGq1XWoeYT_mT-Evn8DVORnNFLtCAPEvJ5tjKlOxa_4=s0-d "Carroll County's connection to Greece [Eagle Archives]")
Carroll County's connection to Greece [Eagle Archives]
KEVIN. E. DAYHOFF
Several weeks ago, Westminster was the focal point of a distinguished assembly of Greek families as folks from all over the country came to town to celebrate the life of Zoe Amprazis Sirinakis, 85, who died on Dec. 29.
Christmas Tree-lighting Steve Ruark / Carroll County Times Holiday
lights glow outside the Carroll County Office Building after a tree-lighting
ceremony. Dec. 12, 2016. (Yes, that is I in the red WFD coat. I was there with
Caroline, but sadly, I do not see her in the picture.) Another great job by the
Carroll County Board of Commissioners – just saying Merry Christmas
![Underlining surveyors' contribution to Carroll County's history [Eagle Archives]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v0nHLYw2roFKGcH-OEXxSwqzm0guPYXlI_lhbrmQc2nEr01OjtHOmnH-3Q8dbpQO_t1j3MgJ0uyFrZIK7LEiLM0mDL6jzXUlhHp7RDw8wkVlnDKqY3Qw5FhiKWIo8kzgo0wpvAUJfGzYGnXTtjOvCbZ9QnhjiSLcgzljQ=s0-d "Underlining surveyors' contribution to Carroll County's history [Eagle Archives]")
![New year begins with familiar faces missing from county leadership [Column]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tovA-LQsTGygvF0_xUbcZusDnP1N3uBxtiWY1kUWX7Ku_CgzEvWIHlBzSCaLTUEZcf7ajkyesTugO8QGj4bcUoU_CRe18pmSB_OsJ1GusCOlVOMYq32sy984nw_N4OognWIMCi1s0CjaYf0XEV6n4-VnM1pH-_pX5dFjxr=s0-d "New year begins with familiar faces missing from county leadership [Column]")
![Assassinated McKinley ought to be remembered [Eagle Archives]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_totkf9IS91roPFFdyJVcKYtV3NPOhNuAtxYF5yiRQwUkeK3jsIomJokIpll1aK3lMXC87FE6IqkJ_GJ7I0DInV1AWGAytcKjNMpH_f3erL52sktORHV9WTbQWSq4igfik4OK1cODoZ3dSHwmS8XwbfxnHVNWnlaF_2noJ9=s0-d "Assassinated McKinley ought to be remembered [Eagle Archives]")
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