Posted by Trevor Roy.

In recent memory nothing has divided the city of Duluth more than the Duluth School District's Long Range Facilities plan.

Concern over an increase in taxes and the cost of building new schools has thrown fuel on the fire of this debate.

On Friday, West Duluth residents gathered at Denfeld to fire back.

Former Denfeld Principal Bill Westholm said "Numerous attempts over the years have been made to come up with a facilities plan, they've all failed for one reason or another and now finally we have a long range facilities plan that's supported by the board and the community."

One particularly contentious issue for west Duluth residents is the name of the new Western High School.

Friday's speakers were adamant that they wanted the name Denfeld to remain they also say two particular candidates don't get what the name means for students past and present.

Denfled Historian Joe Vukelich said "Art Johnston and Tom Kasper talked about changing the name of Denfeld High School and a part of the newspaper article said names were trite, I'm afraid he doesn't know west Duluth very well."

Lincoln Park Resident Gary Eckenberg said "Denfeld isn't just a building it's a spirit, it's a way of life."

Most of the supporters of the red plan urged their fellow west Duluth residents to vote for the incumbents.

West Duluth resident Kris Townsend said "I just want to urge the residents for those incumbents, Nielson and Condon to keep this red plan going, their challengers want to stop the red plan and we deserve good schools out here."

School board elections will be held November third, and the NorthlandsNewscenter will have up to the minute election results.