Dear Editor:
Re: Lancers dance could go the way of Black Peter, Royal City Record, July 12.
I'm appalled at Coun. Chuck Puchmayr's motion to council. To project thoughts that a man asking a young lady to dance in a public place to celebrate a special day is cause for some kind of "amber alert" is just over the top.
Maybe a little history lesson could be presented to council.
May Day has been a traditional day of festivities throughout the centuries in towns and villages of Europe. Earliest celebrations appear in per-Christian times.
Then in the Roman Catholic tradition, May is observed as Mary's month, Mary adorned with flowers. The British involved a military regiment, the Queen's Royal Lancers.
The tradition became part of the "Royal City."
I think, traditional or modern times, the Lancers should be shown with nothing but respect.
Although I grew up in Vancouver, my family was from New Westminster and my mother took me out of school to attend May Day. The evening at the Queen Park's Arena was so exciting, and I was honoured to dance with J. J. Johnston, "Mr. May Day." We do not need political interference to deprive folks of their right to partake or not.
Maureen Albanese
New Westminster
