Syracuse area politicians and community members met in a crowded school cafeteria this afternoon over steaming plates of spaghetti and meatballs. The Cathedral Academy at Pompei's annual spaghetti supper gave people the chance to get up close and personal with local candidates. "So much of a campaign, you're really on," said Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney. "This gives people the opportunity to just relax and be themselves."
The Election Day supper is expected to raise nearly $15,000 for the school said Father Paul Angelicchio, who has been the pastor of Our Lady of Pompei Church for five years.
While the event is a popular campaign stop for local politicians, Angelicchio says all politics are put aside for this community event. "There are no Democrats or Republicans here," Angelicchio said. "Politics are left at the door."
Despite nearly 2,500 visitors going in and out, the event still manages to create a family atmosphere filled with smiling faces and booming conversation. Bonnie Nash and husband Jim Nash, of Syracuse, say they have been coming to the spaghetti supper for as long as they can remember. "We came to support all of the candidates," Bonnie Nash said.
For County Executive Mahoney, the supper has been tradition since her first visit in 1977 when her father, Bernie Mahoney, ran for Common Council.
"I like this tradition," Mahoney said "whether you're a Republican, Democrat or Green Party member, at the end of a hard fought campaign everybody comes together… and you really remember why we're all in this business. It really is about the community."
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