Sandy Springs mayor race heats up a year early

A race is on for Sandy Springs mayor, more than a year in advance of scheduled elections.

Bob Brown, 64, owner of Red Baron’s Antiques, an antiques auction and retail business, said Wednesday he plans to run for the post. Brown plans to retire this year, and sell his business, which he said will give him the time needed for the job. The city needs more business owners among its elected leaders, said Brown.

“I have the time to give back and the expertise,” he said. “I have no hidden agendas.”

Mayor Eva Galambos, meanwhile, plans to seek re-election.

Galambos, 80, a longtime advocate for city incorporation, was elected as the city’s first mayor in November 2005 with 89 percent of the vote. She said this week she isn’t ready to step aside.

“I’ve done a good job,” she said. “We’ve had a very unified government. I don’t think that would happen under him.”

The election for mayor and all six city council seats is in November 2009. Candidates will file qualifying paperwork in August 2009.