Somewhat off topic, didn't you have a run of two years or so of dating former Miss West Duluth's?  I have a vague recollection of you making some joke about only dating former winners.

I am the mother of the Duluth East student! We live in West Duluth, Morgan Park to be exact. She goes to East because her sister graduated there five years ago. This is a very emotional time for all the girls. We as adults need to step up and ask ourselves if we are the real cause of the "east/west flames"? If there are questions about this, don't hesitate to ask me.

I would think with all the things going wrong in the town and across the nation people could find something a little more serious to bitch about other than what school a girl goes to.

Ummmm seems to me that the idea of the post was to stir up controversy. It looks like it worked.

Hi, I am the East student who was in the pageant tonight. I am at Duluth East because my sister went there and it offeres more of the classes I am interested in taking. This is not to say I am not passionate about the West Duluth community, which Morgan Park is a part of. So, I think, since I'm in the Denfeld school district and I love West Duluth I am very much entitled to run for the title of Miss West Duluth. But, very honestly, I think you need to get over it. I live in Morgan Park, I love West Duluth and I go to East, So what? Grow up, get a life and get over it!

Goodness. Some people commenting on this thread really need to lighten up.

As someone who frequently has my written communication misinterpreted, I'm getting a kick of this now-classic thread! I thought the initial post and comments by Paul were hilarious and not-so-serious but maybe because it's because I'm familiar with the style of PDD - which is seldom ever mean-spirited.

And Paul - don't let this hinder your great posts!

Eco Eco, that's MRS. Duluth. She's married. I merely basked in her stardom.

Looks like the possibility of vying for Ms. Congeniality has been dispatched forthwith.

I agree with Mrs. Carlson - do not delete!

This is one of the best PDD posts ever! It just keeps getting better!

So....please keep it up!

Oh, and congrats to Hailey (Miss Congeniality is a good thing, right?)

Here's Mrs. Duluth in 1988 when she worked at TWC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2N1rcLU2Yc&feature=PlayList&p=B617CC88DD484D58&index=19

Re: Open Letter to Kimberly Holland, Director, 2009 Miss West Duluth Pangent

Dear Ms. Holland:

I am writing to request that Miss Congeniality be removed from her position and forced to learn some manners by watching all versions of VH-1's hit TV series "Flavor of Love: Charm School"

I believe that Miss Congeniality is dereliction of the following requirements found on your website, http://www.spiritvalleydays.com/Application%20for%20MWD.pdf:

- Act with respect and integrity toward fellow candidates, pangent director and the West Duluth Community
- Be a role model to young girls who could be potential candidates in future pangents
- Speak positively about the Miss West Duluth Pangent and contestants
- Be mindful of the fact the Miss West Duluth Pangent is a small hometown pangent - demanding or "Diva" attitudes are not be acceptable and will be cause for dismissal
- Any actions of pangent winners jeopardizing the integrity of the Miss West Duluth Pangent, in addition to those mentioned above, could be cause for dismissal
- Parents should be mindful this is their daughter's experience in the Miss West Duluth Pageant and let them enjoy it to the fullest

Furthermore, I do not agree with her choice of favorite foods, rock bands, movies, and movie stars.

Plus she goes to the wrong school.  I mean, what if some girl from the East side decided to attend Denfeld and enter...oh wait, nevermind.  That would never happen.

Anyways, please consider my request at your earliest convenience.  And you can thank me for not mentioning Jon Benet in this letter.  

Sincerely,

I really think people need to realize we are all a part of DULUTH and this divide you have made is the problem. My spontaneous question was about the East/West rivalry and you know what this blog has made clear? The children are not the problem. It is the adults who think what school you go to and what neighborhood you live define who you are. Enough is enough. The students of East, Denfeld, Central, Hermantown, Proctor, Harbor City and so on can all get along just fine. Yet here you guys sit complaining about a sixteen year old girl who just wanted to represent her community in a positive way, All I wanted to do was show how great it is to live out here and to be a role model and the adults of DULUTH have decided that is not okay because I go to a different school. What if I were home schooled? Would you all get upset because I am not a Hunter? Or would you be content because I am not Greyhound? 
Is it that you don't like my school? Or do you not like me for going to my school? Please think about where the true dichotomy is being dirived from? The kids, or the Adults? Who here is setting a better example of being a united community? The kids, or the adults? Just something to think about.

I agree

Mrs. Carlson:

Please re-read my comment.  I specifically did NOT mention Jon Bennet Ramsey.  Shame on you for bringing this discussion to a new low.  Long Live WEST Duluth! (not east).  Inclusive of Norton Park.  That's by the zoo I think.  I like the prairie dogs there.

Umm, just reread my post.  I'm not very good at sarcasm, because I didn't see it there, but that's what I was going for :>

-BERV, give it up. You're mistaken to think you're helping at all. You're adding air to the flames of this rivalry. The rivalry which the children care nothing about and I agree, Long Live West Duluth. I love this great community of ours! It is beautiful and most of the people out here are magnificent. However, I am not saying East Duluth is a bad area. They have great people and many great aspects. Of course, it is obvious I love West Duluth since when the Red Plan took our hosue we decided to saty in West Duluth by moving to Morgan Park (Where we really do live Ramos, I'm not sure what you meant by your comment but we do live in Morgan Park) rather than moving to the East End so I would be closer to my school. 
I really think all of you need to stop and think. You're flipping out at sixteen year old for being in a pageant. I am within all the requirements of the pageant I just go to East.
Move on, and please stop attacking me!
Thank You.

Hailey, many of us are not attacking you personally.  I'm poking fun, for example, at the system of pageantry.  But you have to see it for what it is.  Think about it.

Wait a second, am I being spoofed? :>

I hope to see all interested parties at the next City Council meeting.  This must never be allowed to happen again!!! I will fight this all the way to the Supreme Court if I have to!  What if Diana Ross was on the Supreme Court? And she ordered a Supreme pizza there?

As much as we have asked to put this to rest, it seems it is not going to happen...once again, let me point out, Hailey is 16. Chester Dark, as much I would like to believe this is not an "attack" on Hailey personnally, if you have read this blog from the beginning you will see it is specifically about her. She, however, does not feel attacked. She wants to have her opinion heard on the "Duluth as a WHOLE city" heard. She dislikes the way it is segregated to East/West and the different areas. She is proud to live where she does and go to school where she does. I support her wholly on this issue.
As far as my opinion on it; how many of you were raised in one area and now live in another? How many live in one area and work in another? The questions can continue on, but I think the meaning is clear at this point. In this time of the economic challenges we all face, I think we need to look to our neighbors of all ends of town and give support to all. We do not need to let "team" rivalry stand in our way.
By the way, all of Hailey's friends, East and West, do not care where she goes to school or which team she roots for in the games.
I realize pageantry is a ridiculous thing to be argueing about here, it has turned into something more. I do want to point out, besides showing support for her community, the winner of the pageant also gets a college scholarship. These are not only beautiful girls, but they are very smart young ladies.