THE TET PARADE in Westminster continues to be a subject of controversy (File photo).

Since its inception, the Tet Parade in Westminster has been both a source of pride and rancor in the Vietnamese community of the region.

One year there was a controversy over whether groups representing gays were allowed to march in the parade, and – if so – where in the procession.

At another time factional infighting led to two separate parades – one in Westminster and one in Garden Grove.

Groups seeking to organize the parade some times struggled to provide the funds and organization to conduct the event, typically viewed by about 15,000 people.

Most recently, the City of Westminster organized the parade on Bolsa Avenue.

On Wednesday night, the city council meeting was lengthened to over three hours – in part – due to discussion and argument over Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen’s proposal to create a Tet Foundation for the purpose of funding the event.

After lengthy and sometimes heated discussion (along with a flurry of motions and substitute motions) the council voted 3-2 to ask city staff to bring back to the council information on the cost and other details about creating the foundation without deciding whether to go ahead with it at this time.

The next meeting of the council will be on Wednesday, May 14.