Candidate Questionnaire: Alexander Arab for Topsail Beach Council

1) What 3 changes, if any, would you like to see in the community you will be representing over the next four years?

a) Control spending and protect affordability. Our property tax rate has nearly doubled in six years, and that is unsustainable for many residents. I will work to curb unnecessary spending and use town reserves responsibly to help limit tax increases.

b) Improve communication. As a retired, full-time resident, I have the time and commitment to listen to neighbors and property owners. I will be accessible and responsive.

c) Preserve our small-town character. Most of us came to Topsail Beach because it is peaceful, historic, and naturally beautiful. I will work to maintain that charm and resist unnecessary growth and overdevelopment.

2) What strategy will you implement to respond to public concerns and criticisms?

I will publish my phone number and email, respond promptly to messages, and host informal gatherings where residents can share ideas directly. This will create open dialogue and reduce the misinformation that sometimes circulates.

3) How do you plan to measure and evaluate your success in office?

My success will be measured by how well I listen and respond. If residents feel heard, if our taxes are stable, and if Topsail keeps its unique character, then I will consider my service successful.

4) Can you give an example of how you have supported a community project in the past?

I’ve served on the Parks and Recreation Committee, where I proposed improvements to increase use of our pickleball courts. I also volunteer with the Historical Society of Topsail Island. Most recently, as co-chair of Bingo, I helped raise over $30,000 to support scholarships for local students and maintain the museum.

5) What personal or professional experience do you have that makes you qualified to serve your community?

I spent 20 years running my own business, which taught me the importance of managing budgets and making smart financial decisions. My professional background as an analyst sharpened my problem-solving skills, and I have also served in leadership roles with nonprofit organizations. These experiences have prepared me to serve Topsail Beach with both fiscal responsibility and community focus.