SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) -Police and protesters greeted supporters of Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner at a campaign fundraiser Saturday night. Organizers for the "Mayor's Ball" expected close to 400 people at the event.
On the streets outside the fundraiser, about 50 people chanted and held signs calling for change, to get money out of politics. Inside the Landmark Theatre, the signs promised a variety of desserts and carving stations. For a one hour cocktail reception with the mayor, early guests paid $1,000. Later, Democratic Committee members could pay $125 to attend, according to a spokeswoman for the mayor.
For one penny, members of Occupy Syracuse invited people to join the "Occupy Ball".
"If Mayor Miner is re-elected, who is she going to listen to, the people who don't have anything to their name or the people who came here tonight and gave her $1000 to sip cocktails with her?" wondered Occupy Syracuse protester Ryan O'Hara.
As visitors walked in with formal attire, surrounded by police, they were called "Rats" by some. Others demanded to know their motive.
"What exactly are these people looking to buy with their $1,000 donation to Mayor Miner's campaign?" asked Johanna Berlin.
Protesters want publicly funded elections, where all candidates work with the same cash flow. One person said they want to make an example of Mayor Miner. David Roefaro, a former mayor in Utica who attended Miner's fundraiser, said he supports the idea of eliminating expensive elections. Still, Roefaro contends that it isn't fair to target one politician without reforms across the board.
"Unfortunately, that is the nature of the beast in the political world and you have to have money to actually run campaigns," said Roefaro. "You don't have a choice. You have to or you won't have a campaign."
It's all about the bottom, on both sides of this battle, and protesters worry the general public will pay the ultimate price.
"As soon as you bring money into the equation, you limit access. You can see us out here. We're not in there, being able to talk to the Mayor with champagne for $1,000," said Occupy Ball guest David Salerius.
A greeter at the ball said Mayor Stephanie Miner declined to comment Saturday night.
