Arno Zegerman, candidate for Apex Town Council

Residents will vote for the mayor and two Town Council members in Apex this year.

Mayor Jacques Gilbert, elected in 2019, is running unopposed, while incumbents Terry Mahaffey and Arno Zegerman face opponents Tayon Williams Dancy, Dylan Hale and Gregory Lyon.

Early voting for the Nov. 7 election began on Oct. 19 and runs until Nov. 4.

For information about voting, Election Day, and precincts, residents can visit the state Board of Elections, ncsbe.gov, or the Wake County Board of Elections, wake.gov.

Name: Arno Zegerman

Age: 49

Residence: Apex

Occupation/Employer: Chief of Staff - Silicon Valley Bank, a Division of First Citizens Bank

Education: MSc Management Sciences (Strategic Management) - Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University (Netherlands)

Political or civic experience: Apex Town Council (appointed January 2023), President and board member of Dutch cultural organization “De Wieken” (2013-23), Board member of The Peak Church Bicycle Ministry (2018-23)

Campaign website: arnoforapex.com

Tell us why you’re running to serve Apex. Why should voters trust you in this position?

Apex has been on a good track for the past five to six years. Although residents rightfully express concern over the rate of growth, traffic conditions and loss of natural resources, it is important to recognize that policies set by the Council often take years to become ‘visible.’ For example, many development projects were approved before more stringent zoning conditions became effective and, therefore, do not need to meet these new standards. Policy changes consistent with resident feedback and concerns that have been implemented in recent years will become more apparent over time. I have chosen to serve the town to protect and continue this progress. More importantly, the town is facing significant challenges in the areas of affordable housing, transit, and engagement from minority populations. I believe I bring qualifications to the Town Council that will help address these challenges and ensure that Apex remains an attractive place to live, work, and play.

What is the town of Apex doing right to manage growth? What could be improved?

The growth of Apex is both a benefit and a concern. The benefit is that the town has a larger tax base and, therefore can afford more projects to serve residents, e.g., new parks, road improvements, new public safety stations, and staff. The downside of growth is stress on existing infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, electric) and loss of natural resources.

What Apex is doing well is throttling residential growth, applying more stringent zoning conditions to preserve natural resources, and promoting commercial development. Slowing growth will allow the town, along with state entities, to invest and catch up on infrastructure projects. Additionally, new zoning regulation drives growth in areas of town where that is more desirable and creates a better mix of home inventory. Additionally, the town is investing in public transit.

Housing affordability, traffic conditions, and maintaining the natural beauty of Apex are to be improved.

If elected, how would you approach an existing or new issue differently from your fellow council members?

Where I plan to make a difference is in the area of transit. To reduce car traffic we need to apply a multi-pronged approach. Having grown up in Europe, I have experience with road designs and public transit concepts that are scarcely applied in the USA. Recently I have worked with a Dutch engineering firm and NC Department of Transportation (DOT) to explore the “Turbo Roundabout” concept. We can increase the capacity of existing roads by replacing intersections with these roundabouts. DOT is now gathering data from implementations in Europe to assess feasibility and application in North Carolina, including Apex.

Additionally, I have views on road designs that create a more pedestrian- and bike-friendly environment, in particular separated (protected) bike lanes.

Lastly, to be effective in managing traffic, we need to get serious about public transit. A connected network of transit services will increase its usability and popularity.

How do you plan to make local government in Apex more inclusive and equitable for all residents in the town who feel their voices are underrepresented?

The growth of Apex has resulted in a more diverse population. The Council and town staff are implementing several key programs to ensure we can engage all residents.

I look forward to helping our DE&I Director implement engagement programs like resource groups for employees who identify with an underrepresented community or our language access plan that will help engage residents for whom English is not their first language.

Additionally, we recently onboarded a director for Community Development. This is an external-facing function that aims to engage with communities and neighborhoods more pro-actively.

Despite these efforts, not all residents feel their voice is heard. As a council member, I spend a lot of my time in the community interacting with residents. One community I am working to personally engage is the AAPI community. This community represents 15% of Apex’s population but has virtually no representation on boards, committees or Town Council.

Please list any endorsements you’ve received.

• Wiley Nickel - US House Representative
• Deborah Ross - US House Representative
• Gale Adcock - NC Senator
• Julie von Haefen - NC House Representative
• Maria Cervania - NC House Representative
• Ya Liu - NC House Representative
• Vickie Adamson - Wake County Commissioner
• Audra Killingsworth - Mayor Pro-Tempore, Town of Apex
• TJ Cawley - Mayor, Town of Morrisville
• Steve Rao - Councilmember, Town of Morrisville
• Bill Jensen - former Councilmember, Town of Apex
• Various individual endorsements, some of which are listed on my website.

If there is anything you would like to add, please do so here.

Apex is a growing town with growing needs. Serving on Town Council is an honor and a privilege. During my time on the Council I have engaged with many residents and business owners, including those outside of Apex’s town limits, to ensure their voices are heard and are considered in my decision-making. I bring to Council 25 years of business and nonprofit leadership experience, my own experiences as an immigrant, my international experience, and my regional view on solving big issues. These valuable qualifications set me apart from my colleagues and other candidates.

Since joining Apex Town Council I have been able to demonstrate what I stand for and voted consistent with those beliefs. I believe my ideas and concerns echo those of many Apex residents, and I humbly ask for your vote to continue the work that I started.

This story was originally published October 19, 2023 at 4:32 PM.

Kristen Johnson

The News & Observer

919-829-4532

Kristen Johnson is a local government reporter covering Durham for The News & Observer. She previously covered Cary and western Wake County. Prior to coming home to the Triangle, she reported for The Fayetteville Observer and spent time covering politics and culture in Washington, D.C. She is an alumna of UNC at Charlotte and American University.