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New Westminster councillor wants May Day modernized

A city councillor believes it's time to modernize one of the Royal City's longstanding traditions. Coun.

A city councillor believes it's time to modernize one of the Royal City's longstanding traditions.

Coun. Chuck Puchmayr served council with a notice of motion at Monday's meeting that the city enter into discussions about modernizing the Royal Lancers' dance at the annual May Queen dinner. The men who make up the Royal Lancers dance with the girls in the May Queen Suite at the May Day dinner and dance held on the evening after the festivities in Queen's Park.

"It's time to modernize it. I think that's a discussion we need to have," he said. "I am hearing overtures from people on the school district side as well."

While some people support the longstanding tradition, Puchmayr said he's hearing more and more criticisms about the dance.

"Two people approached me who said they would not let their kids participate in the May Queen Suite draw because of the dance," he said. "It's gotten to the point where, in my opinion, it has become controversial. It is a longstanding tradition, but so was Black Peter."

Puchmayr believes there could be a way of modernizing the event that maintains the tradition, but also doesn't deter people from participating. He knows of people who are so uncomfortable with the dance between the men and the girls that they won't attend the May Day dinner.

"It does raise an eyebrow," he said of the dance. "It makes some people uncomfortable."