Bill Chuan, a candidate for the Milpitas City Council and a proud member of the Asian American community, shared his journey and aspirations during an interview. “I have a deep passion for service. I served my country in the U.S. Army, and now I want to serve my city with even greater commitment,” he expressed.
Born in the United States to immigrant parents from Shanghai, China, Chuan has also lived in Taiwan and Hong Kong. From a young age, he demonstrated a strong enthusiasm for community service, engaging with children with special needs as a Boy Scout. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Army as an armored soldier, driving tanks, which further deepened his sense of responsibility and contribution to both his nation and society.
Chuan holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from California Polytechnic State University and has spent 25 years in the tech industry. His wife, Kelly Yip-Chuan, serves as the vice chair of the Milpitas Unified School District Board, and together they are raising three daughters.
Since moving to Milpitas in 2008, Chuan has been actively involved in community affairs, dedicating numerous volunteer hours, including serving on the campus committee at Burnett Elementary School while his daughters attended. He has also participated in the Milpitas High School Naval Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program and the city’s zoning advisory committee. Over the past five years, he has served on the Milpitas Planning Commission, holding the positions of vice chair and chair. Currently, he is a member of the Santa Clara Valley Water Resources Independent Monitoring Committee and the community emergency response team.
This is Chuan’s first run for city council, but he believes his extensive involvement has given him a solid understanding of city affairs, preparing him for this role.
Public safety is Chuan’s top priority, as he aims to maintain emergency response times within three minutes for the city. He is also committed to enhancing public works projects to improve and upgrade aging infrastructure, addressing traffic congestion in busy areas, and tackling issues like street flooding and potholes. Additionally, he plans to seek collaborative solutions for homelessness, working alongside city staff and external resources to find creative and practical approaches.
Chuan emphasizes the importance of maintaining a family-centric culture in Milpitas by advocating for affordable housing options for the city’s workforce, particularly for police officers, firefighters, teachers, and families in need.
“I will always listen to the residents and consider their opinions,” he stated. “I care about our community, especially our young people and seniors. I am dedicated to serving our residents. We need better transparency and financial accountability to show that our residents are prioritized and that decisions are not driven by political motives.”
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