The race for the District 2 post on the Forsyth County commission has opened with two candidates.

Incumbent Brian Tam and challenger Dennis Brown have announced plans to seek the seat in the Republican primary on July 31.

Tam said he decided to seek a third term to continue his work in the community.

“I look forward to working with my constituents to provide infrastructure and amenities for my district,” he said.
District 2 covers much of south Forsyth.

Brown, who retired after 30 years with the U.S. Army, Army Reserve and the Georgia National Guard, said his management experience would be a benefit to the county.

“I’m running because I want to serve our community and the citizens of Forsyth County and make it a better place to live and work,” Brown said.

The District 2 office is one of three on the commission up for election this year.

In District 4, which includes most of north Forsyth, incumbent Patrick Bell is facing two challengers, Cindy Jones Mills and Bill Mulrooney.

John Derucki has announced he will run in District 5, which spans much of eastern Forsyth. Incumbent Jim Boff has not said yet whether he plans to run again.

All the announced candidates are Republicans.

If re-elected to another four-year term in District 2, Tam said he would like to see the Taubman project brought to fruition.

Taubman plans to develop a regional mall, office space, hotels and residential units on 164 acres between Union Hill and McFarland roads.

Tam also wants to continue the sidewalk effort in south Forsyth and offer amenities while keeping taxes low.

In his two terms, some of the projects he has taken pride in assisting with include bringing in The Avenue Forsyth outdoor shopping mall and a Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta location.

Providing recreation opportunities, including new rec centers and hundreds of acres of greenspace, as well as creating the Peachtree Parkway overlay are among other highlights.

He said the relationships he’s developed with other elected officials and the time spent addressing homeowner concerns have made him a good representative.

For his part, Brown hopes to address several issues if elected. They include smart, controlled growth, efficiency in government, transportation and quality of life.

Brown said he thinks the commission could do a better job of working together toward common goals.

He also said the county could increase its efficiency in containing costs and being good stewards of taxpayer money.

Tam is a former member of the board of directors of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, a graduate of Leadership Forsyth and the family business received the Partners in Education gold level award from Forsyth County Schools.

He operates Tam’s Backstage Restaurant in Cumming with his wife, Kelly.

Residents of Forsyth County for more than 17 years, the couple have three children and attend Browns Bridge Community Church.

Brown is a member of the Forsyth County Republican Party and the Forsyth County Tea Party. He’s also a graduate of Leadership Forsyth and Republican Leadership for Georgia.

During his final year in the Army, Brown served as chief of staff at Camp Alamo, a forward operating base in Afghanistan, where he commanded 300 soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen.

He has held the military’s highest top secret clearance since 1988.

He and his wife, Susan, live in Lakeside Farms subdivision in south Forsyth. They are members of First Redeemer Church.