Press Release - Four Markham Community Achievers Honoured for Outstanding Citizenship

Markham, ON– Four citizens who have made outstanding contributions to the community and brought recognition to Markham will be presented with the Town’s Achievement and Civic Recognition Award (ACRA).

“Through their success, these Markham residents have brought honour and strength to our community. Their diverse endeavours and talents add to Markham’s quality of life,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. The four 2007 ACRA award winners are:

Vilvan Gunasingham (category: Environmental Achievement) – Mr. Gunasingham, who holds the highest number of engineering awards in environmental controls in the history of Ford Electronics, Markham Plant, is recognized for his commitment to environmental protection. He has received a number of awards including the prestigious Henry Ford Award, which was for his work to eliminate environmentally unfriendly CFCs.

Terry Meads (category: Sports and Recreation) – Mr. Meads is recognized for the several thousand hours he devoted to the creation and operation of two volunteer-run outdoor skating rinks at the Markham Museum during the 2006-2007 winter season.

Brian Roman (category: Business/Corporate Achievement) – Mr. Roman gave up a fulltime career to pursue his dream of becoming a professional performer. Building on his entrepreneurial skills, in the past several years, he has arranged and performed one-man sold-out shows at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall; in New York; Dallas, Texas; Florida and throughout Ontario.

Jared Sharen (category: Community Service) –- Mr. Sharen has been involved with the Markham Museum over the past five years. Through his leadership within the Deloitte and Touche Markham office, he has encouraged others to participate in community events, while organizing and contributing his services to the Museum at the annual wine tasting evening and on-site painting and gardening.

“We are proud of this year’s ACRA recipients,” says Gordon Landon, Regional Councillor and chair of this year’s award ceremony. “They inspire us all to do the best for our community.”-30-

The Achievement and Civic Recognition Award (ACRA) was initiated in 1985, by Markham Council for the purpose of determining and recognizing individuals, associations, businesses or corporations who have made an outstanding contribution to the community and brought recognition to the Town of Markham.

Members of the 2007 ACRA Committee:

Regional Councillor Gordon Landon
Regional Councillor Tony Wong
Imran Ali
Sheynoor Karsan
Hemant Misir
David Taylor
Ken Wade