Spaghetti Supper is More Than Just Politics

The annual Spaghetti Supper at Our Lady of Pompei is known for drawing politicians, but if you look hard enough, you’ll find another story. The Supper has become an Election Day staple in its 60 years of existence, and while "anyone who's anyone" in Syracuse politics attends, some residents of the North Side agreed that it's about more than just politics; it's about the community.

The North Side used to be a close-knit Italian neighborhood, said Pat Carelli, a lively 77 year-old alum of the school at Our Lady of Pompei and lifelong resident of the North Side. "I've been coming since the school and church have been here. We've changed throughout the years. Look at the neighborhood, the people."

Now that many of the third generation North Siders have moved away, so have the original traditions, said Carelli’s friend and one time neighbor Peggy Lee who now lives in the suburbs. The Supper is a chance for old friends to reconnect, she said, proudly pointing out past neighbors, classmates, and relatives at other tables in the packed and noisy cafeteria. While politicians attend hoping to win votes, chat with colleagues or simply to be seen, "It's more important as a tradition than it is political," Paris said.

The Supper shows the loyalty of the original North Side community, Carelli said reflectively. Some of the ethnic feel has been lost, but the Supper keeps its spirit alive for those who appreciate the community it used to be, Carelli said. "This is the last thing people can hang on to."

S-U College Democrats Celebrate Miner's Victory

November 4, 2009

For the Syracuse University College Democrats (right), Stephanie Miner’s Syracuse mayoral election victory is something to take pride in. The student organization spent the first two months of this semester actively campaigning for Miner, President Kyle Rapone said at Miner’s Election Night party at the University Sheraton.

“From the very get go, we canvassed for her, phone banked, did everything we can to put her over the top,” Rapone said. “Almost every single weekend we’d get a bunch of students and go door to door and remind people to vote and tell them if they don’t want to vote for Stephanie, why they should.”

Miner’s campaign manager, Dan McNally, noted how important their efforts were to the campaign.

“They took the initiative to reach out to the campaign, they formed their own political PAC, they organized themselves, they folded in seamlessly with our operation,” McNally said. “I can’t stress how much they have been helpful to us.”

After Miner’s victory speech at the Sheraton, the handful of College Democrats at the reception cheered and looked forward to working with her during her term as mayor.

“I’m ecstatic,” Rapone said. “All of our hard work, all of our volunteers’ hard work, paid off. I really think she’s going to bring Syracuse back to where it should be. Whenever she needs anything, we’ll be there.”

“I think she’s going to do an amazing job and I have total confidence in her,” College Democrats State Representative Emily Becker said. “I hope the College Democrats are able to work with her in the future.”

Off campus partying during Mayfest raises concerns for student safety

Students at Syracuse University were shocked to hear that the university tradition Mayfest will now be held on a day of regular classes. A day meant to celebrate of student achievement has become an off-campus drinking party for a lot of students. At the Spaghetti Supper at Our Lady of Pompei School, mayoral candidate Otis Jennings was asked his opinion on Mayfest.


“I’m all about young people but I’m all about safety at the same time,” Jennings said.


Jennings says it is critical that the university keep the event as long as changes are made to help improve student safety. He said Mayfest would be safer if it were located at Walnut Park where the alcohol consumption can be controlled.


Jennings says he would create a fair-type atmosphere in order to distract students from solely spending their time drinking. He suggested adding more activities for students to participate in, such as bounce houses and dunk tanks, to help change the community’s negative outlook on the event as well as providing other sources of entertainment for students.


Chief of SU's Department of Public Safety Tony Callisto disagrees. Castillo explained there was minimal involvement from students in the activities that were provided in last year’s Mayfest. He says the change of location and the additional activities will not draw students away from drinking.


“Anytime you get three thousand people together and there is alcohol involved there is danger. We [Department of Public Safety] prefer that a several long block party does not occur because no good can come from it,” Callisto said.

Miner Elected First Female Mayor of Syracuse

Syracuse voters elected Democrat Stephanie Miner as the 53rd Mayor of Syracuse Tuesday over Republican Steve Kimatian and Conservative Party candidate Otis Jennings. Miner, a member of the Syracuse Common Council, will be the first woman to serve as Mayor of Syracuse.

“Stephanie knows what is needed to run this city,” former Syracuse Common Councilor Mike Atkins, who served with Miner on the Common Council for two years, said. “She’s got eight years of experience in the Common Council, that’s a good prerequisite.”

The unofficial election night returns showed that Miner received 50 percent of the vote while Kimatian received 39 percent and Jennings received ten percent.

"We've elected not only the first woman mayor in Syracuse, but the first woman mayor in any major city in New York state," Onondaga County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Diane Dwire said to Democrats gathered at the Regency Ballroom at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel.

Miner thanked all women who, at one point in their lives, encouraged younger girls to go into politics.

“This is a historic, significant night for Syracuse,” Tom Young, former Syracuse Mayor, said during his introduction of the city’s first female Mayor-elect.

Miner praised her supporters for volunteering their time and promised the people of Syracuse pride in the new mayoral administration.

"I have learned first hand that anything worth doing, you can't do alone," Miner said during her acceptance speech. "We have a fantastic city filled with people who care deeply about it."

Kuehner Reaches Out With Online Campaign

Kevin Kuehner, an adjunct professor in the College of Arts & Sciences at Syracuse University, is hoping to win in Onondaga County’s 16^th district by reaching out to student voters through online electronic media.

"It's a total revolution," Kuehner said. “Everything is different."

After losing to long-time incumbent Democrat Sam Laguzza in 2005 and 2007, Kuehner, 35, decided he would try a different approach toward campaigning in the 16^th district, which includes most of Syracuse University and the University neighborhood.

"Every election dramatically affects your life," Kuehner said. "The younger generation should to a better job than the generations before them."

Kuehner launched a Facebook group, a Twitter page, and an interactive Web site aimed at registering students to vote and recruiting volunteers to help his campaign.

“It’s becoming more of a requirement to reach out through electronic means and to use social networking sites,” Kuehner said.

Onondaga County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Diane Dwire says although technology will have to play a bigger role in upcoming elections, part of the population still prefers to see candidates in the flesh.

“There is still an older generation that isn’t into computers,” Dwire said. “People still pay attention to print media and want to meet face-to-face.”

As veteran politicians worked the floor at the traditional Spaghetti Supper at Our Lady of Pompei School on election day, Kuehner sat among the crowd, updating his Facebook status from his BlackBerry to let his friends know that he would be at Varsity Pizza giving out a free slice to any student who voted.

“I try to explain to students that not being involved is one of the worst things you can do,” Kuehner said.

Stephanie Miner Elected Mayor of Syracuse

Stephanie Miner is the new mayor-elect of Syracuse. By 10:40 the unofficial results were in and had Miner receiving 50 percent of the vote. This makes Miner the first women mayor in Syracuse, and any other major city in New York.
Miner won easily, Republican candidate Steve Kimatian coming in second with just under 40 percent of the vote and Conservative candidate Otis Jennings getting just over ten percent of the vote.

In her acceptance speech she thanked the volunteers who put time and effort into her campaign. One of those volunteers was John John Williams III. Williams talked about how Miner was able to mobilize volunteers to go door to door, signing petitions and meeting voters. Williams spoke about Miner with a strong passion proclaiming, “she is the one.”

Williams says Miner will bring change to the Syracuse government comparing her to when Barack Obama became the new president. One could tell change was coming when Miner came out to the song, “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas.

Miner addressed her supporters at the Sheraton Hotel on University Ave.. When she came to the podium the crowd gave her a one minute standing ovation. Miner first thanked her husband Jack Mannion, whose eyes started tearing up. The she thanked her “tremendous army of supporters”. She also thanked all the mothers, aunts and grandmothers who helped pave the road for her.

“I will work hard every day so you can have a mayor and city hall to be proud of,” Miner said.

Spaghetti Supper

Election day means the annual spaghetti supper fundraiser at Cathedral Academy at Our Lady of Pompei on the northside of Syracuse. While serious business is taking place at the polls, the colorful balloons and loud Italian music reveal a much more relaxed atmosphere inside the school cafeteria.

The 60 year-old fundraiser for the school and church has become a social gathering. "This is a place to be seen," said attendee Pat Welch, while enjoying her spaghetti. Welch, wore a white fur hat befitting of any social event. Although she was sitting by herself, Welch seemed happy enjoying her meal.

Like everyone else Joseph Rudy, 94, was laughing and smiling. Rudy has been coming to the fundraiser since its inception. Like most in attendance Rudy was walking around saying hello to old friends and meeting new people.

Rudy began chatting up old friends, including State Supreme Court Justice Michael Hanuszczak. Rudy and Hanuszczak talked about how the fundraiser allowed friends to get together and catch up.

The fundraiser had children and old men like Rudy, bringing several generations together. Politicians managed to put aside their political ideologies and converse with one another.

The friendly feelings meant interaction between politicians and their constituents. While talking to mayoral candidate Otis Jennings, a couple of old ladies walked by. Jennings was quick to say hello and comment on their beauty.