Mayor Debate

" You we will currency challenged me as we went into the break and he did where about seven seconds left so nobody could give a fair response but is -- How would you -- the mail what's improved noticeably during Istanbul I was asked in a more generic question -- is there any manner in your lifetime or any period of time during which you can look and say the leadership in the city. Made substantial changes to the quality of life even over the course of your whole life living in the city. Awhile okay now see I'm told I can't remember I don't have a conscious memory but the John columns. Was instrumental in the remaking of the landscape in the development -- Boston from a really -- kind of -- provincial. A provincial city on the coast to a world class city but mayor white. Accelerated whatever John Collins had put in the foundation -- been led by mayor -- mayor Collins. Kevin Weiss another tolerate that -- they're all agree that no not at all have great on -- the rates are you know writes I I think 88 you know it's tied to. As to achieve great things as a CEO you can achieve good things in meaningful things. The mania has done that's the crime issue and Belfast to the so much improved. 220 years ago when done and I were young couple raise and our kids. The crime issue was a very real concern for lots and lots of people black and -- wasn't unique are restricted to one neighborhood it was a serious issue. The parks department is much much improved."

" Alright alright -- did not -- a campaign -- Oh absolutely hello -- now why -- you guys and help us lifelong Boston. Kids in the schools and he knows what's going on let's start to my clarity demonic Mike -- you guys you guys you're great thanks for joining us."

" Well I think that -- try to the beginning -- Betty iPod and running water up high speed it. Changes that -- all those agents happened and then millionaires up -- I couldn't help but think dead -- and you know initiation we don't even have voicemail at City Hall."

" While if they may have to return calls I mean you wouldn't wanna have to do that would. This is really --"

" Killed polish military Charlie refuses to install policemen also. Talk about so much stock in the past."

" While Mike let's talk about let's yeah. And it carries -- inform you otherwise access. Leo. Mike let's -- about schools you -- that an issue when you campaign primary on Tuesday of course. What's the message that you find is getting through to the voters of Massachusetts about ideas of Boston about schools what would you do if you became the --"

" Jolie -- bad -- and in this race and could called for lifting. The had to try to cap. As a way to embrace summer success stories around -- is that you wanna listen to good a 100% Egypt and Pacific rim but just to get that. Literally knocking it out of -- we should be embracing. Those great success -- concern about some public schools. Having children and assistant they recognize that it's time for school site budgeting to make sure that the precious tax dollars that. We set aside to actually make their way to -- to the classroom teaching and learning and -- every little bit more autonomy what does that mean and I look at a lot of which street and in all be correct bureaucratic red tree line follows sat -- oh powering high school leaders like principals and teachers to do what they do best."

" It what does that mean explain it to us."

" And terrorism official site budget young interns are about making sure that that teach an incredible have to courses and the tools and can make this industry. Go to having to check -- to court street first to get permission from the superintendent to get permission from the school committee so they landlords. And creating more autonomy in school."

" They have more budget discretion is every --"

" That's correct I would I'd prefer that it's bad -- the principal and teachers have more discretion over actual budget very much like pushing what Charter Schools. And do you really do want a total list on the Tampa Charter Schools. I wanna widget from some pro which approach that I am pro good shot to get a good -- Soviets that titans tonight faxed."

" You said you -- with the charter are you saying you wanna partially lift or get rid of it all -- says he has you know the Obama administration. Is looking for the state of Massachusetts to stop blocking Charter Schools."

" Yeah I wanna look at chatter altogether I wanna make sure that where allowing just in Massachusetts we boast of having some of the best. Charters in the country and so let's embrace that excess the national debt in district trackers. The last thing we need to do is to give him more schools. We have so many in the performing schools many of them chronically underperforming schools let's not mess with success must not try to reinvent built. Let's look at the successful -- that literally right now called boxed in their home. And let's allow them to grow to flourish let's provide more quality educational opportunities for residential rush city to an extremely -- left Boston. And search quality education they didn't. Get situation school what is the left side or it is not a good school in their neighborhood that I have to stop it's time for new leadership around the issue."

" Mike some of those families that have stay to stay because of economic limitations some because really they have broken dysfunctional families the parents are illiterate the parents. Do not provide the support of common every time we get a teacher who calls and they say. Look we're trying to do miracles but we can't do it without support of all how does a room might clarity mayoralty. Changed -- is it any thing you have in mind that would address. The broken family issue that makes educate urban education so challenger."

" Dread as mayor bought some you know if you have a second -- that cannot do simple arithmetic -- simply cannot -- simple. Certain structure I would wanna put the brakes on immediately and literally go to that child household. But -- had a household is let's see whether or not good record involvement. But if this domestic -- dental health substance abuse issues but to identify resources that our party outfit. And connected this child of this family. With those circuses and we execute arbitrary because of the child cannot read and do simple arithmetic -- the second grade going into the third grade. That is the next generation of of a drop boat that is the next generation of so that's going to be going away -- house of correction. It can't happen over the last sixteen years of the mini -- administration. 24000. Kids have dropped out of the bought some public schools 24000. Kids. That's an overflow crowd at TD banknorth got that's outrageous it's unacceptable and an -- little where those kids now. Many probably unemployed shoveled them probably capture -- it's -- probably parents of Boston public school kids themselves."

" Now you're you're absolutely right it's it's a crisis senate tragedy and now glad to hear the your promoting Charter Schools and you wanna lift the cap because. That is the one answer we found four improving public education substantial."

" Also taught not just a lifting the -- I also is male wanna hold -- accountable to make sure that they're casting the widest net. That they are reaching out to the community of color that they're reaching out to English language learners in that they are doing all leaching into deal -- special education needs. That's one of obnoxious that they can to cherry tech. -- initiative that's not the case I --"

" And why -- it -- piece it all if they can make better schools by cherry -- what's wrong with having some better schools because part of the problem I think with public education is that it's kind of an unsustainable model to mix so many -- kids in with so many different needs in the same classrooms."

" I would say that western collegiate as a model to look at on the graduated 100%. Of their student ideas -- 80% of those students -- first generation college -- That's a great success story and that's why we should be saying I'm -- need to be doing you know Michael fields quality opportunities. Anthony it's what about the politics of public versus charter versus private person throw -- what matters most to me. And -- children assistant. It's such outlets in the classroom but second that third fourth grader it should never be about politics should be about how we provide good. Quality educational opportunities because education is the greatest equalizer for society."

" City Council Michael flowers like Miley Cyrus so BI we got a bunch of candidates seem to get to windows Symbian is next let's say thanks to my clarity for joining us some interesting viewpoints the Iran China schools we should look into that Boston collegiate. You talk about kip I -- notes are right let's go take it or let's take a to a render an add some I had some light on now."

" Another City Council running for marry Sammy you know who's right who's served -- second term right. And you're running for mayor congratulations size the debate last site you did a good job you were tough. Throw some good body blows at the mayor in the other candidates like to see --"

" I actually like the combat that effectively than they."

" The combo finally got to get -- Hey if it could be physical combat sim it'd be even more delightful but -- John but Nike gave you good editorial today green plug. And you know different being escorted to -- Sam that people are paying attention in this mayoral race because there's so much else going on in the political environment."

" Our yes they are I do believe that yet the Senate races. Talking a lot -- there oh that's but as we make all of that and if I voters. Still people are paying attention and one thing we didn't we hear it like. You know it's time for change time for change and still mulling it over gonna be watching the debates. One thing that that I know that this would let a caller or what I would call with a cliche is that you know many -- sixteen years but it may be time to move on."

" Yeah CM when we had he -- studio you talked about how strong that shot -- from Boston is tough. It's a huge an incredible amount of power that's conch dreaded in the mayor's hands City Council less power obviously. You've talked about changing that. It's an it's an interesting idea but I'm I'm puzzled by. The desire to become -- may as at the same time you wanna kind of emasculated or make a -- Out of the office and I I guess that would reduce should've man I don't know what is the -- then do like played you played Italy wings and his office I wanna may have whose you know -- got old fast again. Pamela to a high tech game I think."

" Like the mayor says it get that job done -- if it's what this. This really good point that and I am really glad that as they were certain to talk about this and -- I've been talk with bloggers with you know regular people that the state welfare we turn yeah the strong message so that you're in the week there. A week mayor. Pushing at the bank. And convention. That if we don't move toward a more democratic form of city government we are not going to be able should be befitting. -- educational time basic city services for the fiscal management. We're not gonna whenever you have to do that without democratize. That government but the irony is there's only one person. Well there's little world that can actually do that. Let the legal and statutory political -- speed that it is the nature. You know good at what you need -- strong mayor in order to kind of restore chickened -- city government. -- let somebody that says that we have any major change in instructors city government was making doughnut. It would really be a hundred years."

" But Sam -- what most people look at sixteen years of Mayor Menino and say that that part of his success maybe they're grown tired of his dominance over every detail the city but part of his success is that he's been able to consolidate so much power make a lot happen."

" He's been able to consolidate power and lower expectations and I'm -- understanding what you give you know we had the lowest voter turnout. You know for -- your elections over the last sixteen years. You know compared to the rest about the history -- and other cities as well. When I flew over the annual get a date you know about city about the fact of what. Florida Boston but like most the most honest they agreed to have like political history they're at 65%. Turnout."

" Under -- and municipal elections what do we get here you know left as -- actually -- thirteen point 8% turnout."

" That's because this celebration starts oral."

" Right the inevitability of the incumbent mostly what's. From Boston history there has been one time you're familiar it's. You know -- president thank you but look there's been onetime what are sitting there -- actually voted out of office. Gene Michael early 1949 after she spent nine months in jail and that was only and so. But I doubt it because it -- the system hard and --"

" six -- about Boston as the world class city Todd and I acknowledge it I'm a lifelong Boston residents and alike and I really do think it's a a reasonably functional city there -- always series of movement can you point to another aside a similar sized city. With a different form of governance the you know I I really what it's on the success of a weak -- yeah yeah we're a week mayor can make it a functional. World class economic city."

" Analysts say week we -- given that advocating that the mayor be weak and well let's say is that that we get away from the ultra strong mayor form of government predators -- out of Seattle as an example. You know I think they don't get swept over the last ten years as we've been struggling to -- retain our libraries and and that's you know make sure the -- acquittal retreat don't. She has been building library. You know recession proof you know you know -- a recession proof station and a goal in the net net actually deep. They've they're building my brand -- in this state of the art community centers Circuit City. The city Philadelphia okay now put -- he has enormous economic in this instance. You know poverty rate much had flex struggling economically but just let mayor nutter. Actually goes out to to the people that talk to them about the decision that he estimates. And it works with the University of Pennsylvania he actually works without touching --"

" How -- that I think you run -- Hillary and it's a Menino strengths I mean he is in every see every person in the city Sampson Nolan and he's worked in my opinion at least Sam. Very very well with the colleges and universities I mean he's brought than me into some of the after school programs some of the Philanthropic and nonprofit stuff. Well I mean. I don't I I don't mean to advise you need campaign. But I think that's many nose wheel house his ability to bring in the external institutions that are -- about about a Greater Boston. And make them live and breathe on on all about behof."

" But ask you this well liked it a credit for that that there don't mean to say that he's you know his six year record abysmal he's got a lot of the things that he should be proud as. And I think if you're with -- retire and get help but celebrate that budget I think did you know what we need to get reported that -- president Bob round of our university. That next year. In 2000 but let's look at that great move and our schools and says I feel accountable for that. I feel personally and and my university -- just -- college presidents who says that I am part of this of a solution. You know to make sure that the 56000 -- and a possible -- schools -- I'm like cattle wolf that the education but the 250000. Caught universities students say inner city. And -- that dropout -- it will go down that EU president. And it peeled personally responsible for that and says that -- would that whatever strategic plan that we get laid out to get there. It is it's just not getting -- fear that I'm gonna develop the resource my university that it did get there and that. That's just one university there's so many partners and educational city affected each. Do the same level of accountability. Shall begin to look -- programs of which would -- will reverse the ultra that these children. Because guess what it'll be -- Big guilt trip into doing things like this. But -- a true partnership that means everybody feels that and by the way that's the only way that we're going to change you know urban education that this city any city. It's what everybody -- that shared responsibility and we had enormous as a resource in our city to do it. -- if we can't figure urban education and often with a welcome resource that we had acted -- institutions hospitals -- institution. -- for the rest of what any --"

" I like the idea it analyst says it could find Sammy you know we appreciate it good luck in the election does -- a trailer however an account of the first meetings are going to be passed the bomb. It's like Eliza it's going to be like everybody's gonna get together we're gonna have checks and balances -- love you me and -- him -- revamping c'mon there's there's a senate c'mon. You when somebody sees. The possibilities. What was that phrase that Bobby Kennedy has -- people see things as they are exactly why. I -- I dream of things that never were and ask why not say like this I dream of things. All right he got to get enjoy -- I. Thanks Sam's until -- agreement had taken a break cart series dream and our. Next mayor of Boston let's talk the next -- Kevin Kevin ray ray Lewis and developer in the city and his running for marries the one guy who is an outsider to all of this they --"

" Would be monetary support needed a little bit you wanna do is leave it there you'll -- Calvin now and I wanna get com. I'll -- you know."

" I know he knows of the two people in this studio who can't vote for him given it. As a lot -- as a businessman. Ones such as a businessman now Lott why you getting involved in -- like Ameritrade says especially against the all powerful. Tom --"

" We're there cause was barely hear him and don't look at the man behind the green curtain. But it's about things like that the you know I've worked with fifty with the -- years I've been a contract and a developer in the city. And I see the backroom deals -- favoritism that happens."

" Can you give us an example because none of us has seen it but we do see things like the videotape of Dianne Wilkerson allegedly taking money in on a bribe a development -- and suffering and her -- and near their -- two extremes one is perceiving Diane walker -- as the norm and the other would be that is clean legitimate business where the best guys who win with the best proposals. What is the reality."

" Well hey and I don't think it's all Dianne Wilkerson -- money and underwear things -- you know you gotta look at that whole case send. You know what happened has Dianne Wilkerson and calls up the mayor the mayor called -- And suddenly in the back room deal. Aid. Nightclub which doesn't -- have a leased to a promises yet. Get so wicker -- cents. I went to the mayor's office the press process percent of the mayor and a look into this movie doing anything about it in the press office said. The man has absolutely nothing to do with the licensing board whatsoever. Now if you guys believe that do you believe that Todd and Tom."

" Well they're appointed by the governor so there answer. We know they're appointed -- already is being the mayor had an eight foot away from gore and I I just wanna make sure we stay out from that you know the the the the basic structure of the audience. They wanted by the governor and not by the mayor the mayor has asked for the authority for many years to upon them but he's never have been given that authority so they're appointed by the governor but -- I would nod tonight of course had been some info on how would he have influence were to come from."

" You'll probably have influenced true. The way he's acted in neighborhoods the way he can shape. Civic opinion a civic associations reaction to proposal. Of a development and say hey I wanna get a bill and I wanna get a liquor license for this restaurant. If the may incense the means people out in let's say -- and -- to Rochester is that she's the community's really against this. The -- would probably find a way to make sure that opinion is transmitted somehow are on the translated for the -- license or go to -- and -- pretty grounded people themselves are Tom Nolan."

" some way or another. In other words and a backroom deal not an official letter went on the man music and will person didn't know what was going on why do you think she bothered calling them may have. She knows how this system works. And your listeners know how this system."

" You're saying this is the this is the underpinning of America has become too powerful that what that phrase means is he has the ability. With a few phone calls and the board did a big right -- in this a few weeks ago and basically said that you know the mayor decides well aware what the facade of the building is gonna be because leverage. Is so powerful. I -- you know we all have our assumptions and you're calling on our assumptions Campbell what I'm walkin'."

" Okay let's take a look at every -- my experience -- take a look at -- plays right on Washington street. That parcel of land worth 23 million dollars the mayor gave to the -- prefer the the BLA got into an agreement with a friend of the mayor's. The millennium partner people so they got -- Used that land for free for ten years but not for free they got to pay one million dollars for ten years. And they get -- take in. The parking lot rather narrow estimated at about three million dollars a year cap wise it's. So here's what's gone on the citizens of Boston has received a taxpayer to receive nothing. I -- going to be shocked to hear but the millennium -- so people if you go the opposite campaign in political finance online report. Have given Mayor -- 20000 dollars in campaign contributions. So is senate senator Bob and get zero -- get 20000 dollars in campaign contributions. And we don't have brought. And cops first streets that's what I call backroom deal -- going wrong in this yeah."

" You took the 20000 dollar donation out of that equation is there anything wrong with the rest of the deal with the -- use saying. That benefit that he's giving to the BRA into the company -- contracted with. In order to provide the revenue stream necessary to get the construction done that he wants done for the Senate."

" Now that that absolutely not what should've been done position to put up for sale sign on it and hold the bill bank. And then we would be getting that tax revenue right now we get no tax revenue because the BRA on the building."

" As for the dual message you want illustrate the -- on this on on this deal. -- it -- the million dollars goes to the BI array on this deal. That -- yeah but the and you would know this from your own work as a development that Kevin the BI array is really the entity the legal entity that looks at. Design and scale and it is. All those different things that you wanna have so you have. A great city skyline -- this makes a coordinated effort out of there coordinated thing right."

" And so what so what happened. Now I think it's a parking lot it -- the parking lot you wanna do they have done any -- my."

" product and Todd and I are looking at the totality of city's skyline and development in. The city have all new waterfront developing a lot seaport you have international place which I think is beautiful some people think is Gary -- I actually think it's beautiful they have the green way which is proud of the -- vision but financed mostly by the statement turnpike. All of these things the BRA is centrally involved and they need resources to function is in the million dollars a year a legitimate."

" I should start outside there was they won well over two years half a million dollars to exert its. Three million revenues right you right now. Big deal this year the developer get three million dollars -- be they get enough thing this system again not thank you Mayor -- campaign contribution."

" I was talking to Kevin -- a Boston developers running for mayor said Kevin do you use for -- point out some of the problems with America. How would you be an effective one."

" I think -- be an effective one as they talked about. At the debate last night is. Reaching out to the people that do have talent in this city for example of city -- account where you -- where the I counselor Tobin and not have to be like the mayor is now saying. Well look through my idea and the food my idea. I'm perfectly happy to say I don't have the answers to all the problems I wanna work with the citizens. A lot of work and they're elected officials to solve the problems of crime in the streets and solve the problems of the education. You know poor schools here at city."

" Let's talk about the school's top -- of our favorite topic and we had a we asked her I thought about it they are yeah we wanna we wanna be fair to you what would a may have McRae. Do is one of the first a second -- business about transforming. The a city Boston schools."

" Sure well the first thing I do is not cut the budget most of the budget cuts have come out of school department. I don't product of public schools myself. And I think that the public school education budget should be the -- and that we're gonna cut. The second thing I'm gonna do is work on taking on the third rail in Boston which has bought back. Right now we spend seven -- eighty million dollars a year on bussing kids from one failing school porno --"

" This is our relic of Lou the busing -- and."

" Exactly from back in the seventies and why is this still going on. Because nobody wants to take on the issues. Racism and inequality. You know through -- third rail issue you have a lot of parents. Who aren't that politically involved. And I don't think it's a winning issue for a candidate -- is there every politician."

" And every parent whose putting their kid on a bus to go across town upset that they're not able to walk to a local school."

" I blew it up front sang oh what I wanted -- everybody in neighborhoods schools. All across this city and -- that's going to be equity and trust. We have to trust City Hall to put good schools then every neighborhood. And then we have to make sure that those schools are equitable in every neighborhood and that there's a mechanism in place. To ensure that they continued to stay equitable. In the future."

" Kevin the mayor has made a big big point of his ability to maintain the city's credit rating on bond rating through thick and thin through good times and embed. I love the idea of functional attractive neighborhood schools but every neighborhood. But the reality of that is you can NF from the capital cost. It bankrupt the city we you don't have that capital ability of probably you we could and should stop -- But it's twenty years it's ten years FDR mayoralty terms -- robot we might begin to see the evidence of that."

" I disability com right now bought from in the top 10% mistake we spend almost 20000 dollars a year per student. -- in the bottom 10%. In terms of -- results. We have to look at what's going out of schools in the last ten years the city of often have lost. 7000. Students. We have fewer teachers and we did ten years ago. But we have more -- monitors we have more janitors. That screens to me as a businessman. As. Not looking at the proper. Allocation of resources from the city. We need to have more teachers we need to have more that you were talking about it earlier and something -- schools still it's what's called the wrapped around strategy. Using social. Social workers to deal with the poverty issues and health issues in nutrition issues. But the children so that when the children get into the classroom. There ready to learn. It's a big problem I'm not saying I'm gonna fix it overnight. But what I am saying has some wanna work on -- and to deal with building good schools everywhere we have to take that seventy million dollars or spending on -- thing. And put it into those schools we could build two state of the art high schools. Every four years with what we're spending on mount process right now."

" It is not so I Charter Schools -- senior against the Missouri."

" I am against Charter Schools I think Charter Schools for another analyst gratification society. I think it's very ironic that Mayor Menino and counselors unit clarity. -- talking about expanding the charter school cap. Well they helped send their kids to public schools -- about him personally they -- the public schools. It's their kids are and why don't we raise the cap on the schools took their kids are and you know and I've been the fundraisers at a match school for example I noticed people are committed to. Doing good educational work but the Charter Schools were brought in to find new educational methods that work. And bring those into the public schools we know what works longer school."

" Okay we also know we can't improve the schools with the unions over opposing any change well you're."

" you brought up the quote earlier. About Bobby Kennedy some people imagine. It's look at things from -- why I say why not. I say let's work with the teacher's union I don't hear you saying let's get couldn't get rid of the police union might -- black water to run our story."

" After we are their teachers union that'd be great. I -- you -- Kevin you mentioned China's leading to further strata vacation what your position on the Latin schools and the other exams schools is that mr. ratification that we should eliminate."

" Now when you guys are excited about this earlier I'm all war. Exams schools again I think it's part of an equitable process I wanna build a new science technology. I green exam scores in Maine now Obama physics major used to be a rocket scientist for the US air force. I'm looking forward to going in and teaching of physics class -- high school seniors."

" Kevin -- and Mary Finneran my mom was of physics and chemistry major and I. I worry yes she needed rocket science to figure out -- seven and we give -- generation's gonna. -- Italian and the craze are gonna hold either thank you for your time and I -- being a good luck with the election next we re very interesting very it was the Kevin clearly the sparkling wine business. Actually now extremely nervous but when is -- then -- 42 it's not the primary is next with the fifth Newsweek. Fifteen think you're on a -- we'll check it out I will check it out and I don't see why why. Is on the fifteenth there is -- you address revolves around you listen guys what are we take a break we'll come back next best thing. Our endorsements coming up look at that I do our -- George newsroom talking about. --"