Republic of Georgia Delegates Visit Forsyth

Delegates from the Republic of Georgia were in Forsyth County earlier this week as part of the Library of Congress Open World Program to share experiences in politics, government and economic development.

Dennis Brown, Republican candidate for the District 2 seat on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, hosted the group, which included a news reporter, auditor, election project coordinator from the Georgian Young Lawyers Association, the director of a watchdog organization and counsel from the Georgian Chamber of Control.

Brown welcomed the delegates from the "other" Georgia to his campaign headquarters on Peachtree Parkway. He was selected to host the group because of his membership in the  Georgia to Georgia Foundation, and to provide insight into his political campaign, a news release stated.

"They asked me to do it … and I said of course," Brown said. "They’re just really great people and they want so hard to have a democratic republic, and they really want to succeed."

During his 30-year military career, Brown visited the Republic of Georgia on several occasions and developed a great appreciation for the people and hoped one day he could return their hospitality.

The Republic became independent of Soviet rule in 1989 and began to make the transition to a democratic-republic.

"Your heart goes out to them," said Brown.

Tuesday's meeting was both social, political and educational beginning, as many do in the Republic, with several rounds of toasts.

As part of her toast, Nina Khatiskatsi, program director of Transparency International, remarked on the incredible hospitality of the people she has met while in the U.S. She also said her organization is working to increase government accountability and to weed out corruption.

"Elections are one of our priorities," Khatiskatsi said. "We monitor this period as well and try to monitor all political finances."

Brown provided tips he is learning while campaigning for county commission.

"In the local elections, us politicians look at what the people are thinking, what’s on their minds, what’s important," he said.

District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent and Forsyth County Tea Party member Ralph Stepp were also on hand to share their insights into local government. Levent talked about his successful campaign last year.

Khatiskatsi, who asked many questions about campaign fundraising and how the donations process works at the local level in the U.S., said she learned a great deal during the visit.

"The more experience you have, it’s easier to see how reasonable some things are," she said. "It’s not enough to know only what’s happening in your country, but in general, what the approaches and principles should be."

Editor's Note: Cumming Patch is not affiliated with nor endorses any candidate running for public office.