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On Monday June 20th 2011 Alex Chiu was surprised with a special ceremony during Council, honouring him for his 25 years of service.  Alex was surrounded by friends and family, all of whom have supported him through the years. While not one to stand in the spot light Alex did speak and thanked his family and friends for everything they have done throughout the years.  He also made a special “Thank You” to his wife Alicia and his executive assistant Cynthia Taylor-Huff.

On Saturday May 14, 2011 the 1st Annual Markham International Sedan Chair Challenge took place at Markham Civic Centre. It was a celebration of Canadian multiculturalism and diversity with teams from many different ethnic backgrounds competing.

The event will include three components: a two-kilometre sedan chair race, followed by a four-kilometre parade, and a carnival at the Markham Civic Centre. Teams celebrated the event by decorating their sedan chairs, dressing up and having fun. Even though the days festivities was encountered a little down pour, the participants spirits could not be dampened and they competed gloriously.

Team Winners are as follows:

3km winner was: York Regional Police

1.6km Youth Winner: TCCSA Youth Volunteer Group

1.6km Open Winner: York Regional Police (Aux)

Best Decorated Chair: Shun Tak Farteral Association

Best Dressed Team: Star King

Most Entertaining Team: Toronto Police Auxiliary

The night was capped off with a wonderful performance by an ABBA tribute Band and an extraordinary fireworks display.

The annual of Alex Chiu Golf Tournament will take place on Thursday July 21.  Below is a photo light box with images from the previous year’s event.  The recipients received proceeds from the tournament. They were :

ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor) –  a Christian Charity registered with CRA and Industry Canada since 2001.

Great Wall Foundation -  is an Asian volunteer group formed to fundraise and support Markham Stouffville Hospital. The Group is actively raising awareness within the Chinese and other Asian communities in support of the Markham Stouffville Hospital Expansion Campaign.

Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians – is a non-profit organization committed to the promotion and preservation of the Filipino culture and heritage through dialogue, educational, social and cultural activities.

Power Unit Youth Organization - Power Unit Youth Organization strives to instill a sense of empowerment in youths and to encourage a habit of giving back. By organizing philanthropic projects, youths are given the opportunity to grow, to self-explore and to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

There was also a special performance by tribute artist Gino Monopoli, who entertained the players with his tribute to Elvis Presley.

A special “Thank You” must be given to Kylemore Communities, Condor Properties, Country Wide Homes, Mady Developments and Milliken Capital and Development Corporation who were the tournaments presenting sponsor. A final “Thank You” goes out to the wonderful staff at the Angus Glen Golf Course.

Councillor Alex Chiu (Town of Markham)

Length of Service/Provincial Award

• This May, Councillor Chiu received the Province of Ontario Long-Standing Service Award – 25 Years. Introduced by the Ontario government in 2004, the Long-Standing Service Awards recognize municipally-elected officials with at least 25 years of service. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rick Bartolucci said, “The Long-standing Service Award is a fitting tribute to Councillor Chiu’s dedication to public service, his strong contribution to his community, and to the Town of Markham.”

Personal History

• Councillor Chiu was born and raised in the Philippines. He studied mechanical engineering in Manila before immigrating to the U.S. He left the U.S. for Canada immigrating in 1973 with his wife Alicia.

First involvement in Community

• Councillor Chiu’s first election was to the board of his condominium corporation in 1975, followed by service on the Milliken Mills Community Association before winning his first seat on Council in 1985, in Markham’s newly-created Ward 8.
• Councillor Chiu worked to found the Milliken Mills Filipino Association and the Milliken Mills Chinese Association in 1981, followed by helping to create the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham and the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians in 1988.

Markham Council

• First elected to Markham Council in 1985, in October 2010 Councillor Chiu was elected to represent Markham’s Ward 8 for his ninth consecutive term.
• Throughout his years on Markham Council he has provided leadership and expertise on numerous committees. Councillor Chiu chairs Council’s Community Services Committee, and served on the Fire, Waste Management, Legal Service and Markham Beautification committees. An advocate of youth employment, he has supported programs which encourage young people to be involved in the community.
• Early in 2011, Councillor Chiu was elected to the Board of Directors of PowerStream, Ontario’s second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company.

Fundraising

• Councillor Chiu’s talent and efforts in fundraising have been prominent throughout the years, most recently co-chairing efforts to raise more than $300,000 for relief efforts following the natural disasters in the Philippines, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and through the Rising Sun campaign following the Japan earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.