July 23, 2025 • 38 mins
Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft is trailing behind incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu in the city’s race for City Hall this Fall. A recent poll of likely Boston voters showed Kraft trailing Wu by at least 30 points. Can Kraft turn his campaign around and catch up to Wu? Josh Kraft joined Dan to talk about his campaign.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
It's night Side with Dan Ray on WVS Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
All right, welcome back everyone.
Speaker 3 (00:08):
I just wanted to take a one minute before we
get to our guest, Boston merriw candidate Josh Kraft, remind
all of you there's a new way to be a
part of the night Side broadcast by utilizing our talkback
feature on the iHeartRadio app. Make sure you download the
app and have the free iHeartRadio app on while listening
to Nightside Live on WBZ News Radio, you can tap
(00:29):
the red microphone talkback button in the right hand corner
the top right corner to send us your personalized audio message.
Keep it clean and we'll play it back on Nightside.
It's that simple. Once again, hit that rid microphone button
on the top right hand corner of the app while
listening to night Side, and you can send us your
audio message. You can be a compliment or a criticism,
just keep it clean. Now we are delighted to welcome
(00:52):
back to Nightside the mayoral candidate here in Boston.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
He is Josh.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
I think everyone knows something about Josh Craft at this point,
someone who is a member of the Patriots football family,
the ownership family, but has stepped away from any role
with the Patriots and has worked for many years with
boys and girls clubs here in the Greater Boston area.
(01:23):
Josh Craft, welcome back to Night's Side.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Dan, Thanks for having me as always, I really appreciate
the opportunity, and I'm grateful any chance I get to
get on there with you.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Well, you're always welcome, I'm sure you know that, and
give folks an opportunity tonight to talk with you directly
at some point ask questions. We ask people always to
be polite. You had a big poll come out this
week and there were some things in the poll that
could be discouraging, some things in the poll that were interesting.
(02:01):
What was your reaction. I mean, you've started at zero
early this year and there's a group of voters in
Boston who apparently like what you're saying.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
You need more. What's the plan to find more?
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Well, look, Dan, we're going to continue to do what
we've done from day one, and that's get into the neighborhoods,
get around all the neighborhoods and listen to people, talk
to residents, understand their concerns. So so many people are
disappointed with this mayor in the direction the city's going,
(02:42):
you know, from the lack of housing that working people
can afford, to schools, how taxpayer dollars are being misspent,
to the human tragedy that we look at every day
of mass and cast the city. The basic city services, streets,
the sidewalks are terrible. And the residents of Boston deserves
(03:06):
so much more from their mayor and the local the
municipal government, as do the small businesses, and they're not
getting it now. And we've heard these same things in
every neighborhood, regardless of socioeconomics, race, ethnicity, religion. It's the
(03:27):
same things we hear everywhere.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
So the question is, how do you in the next
few weeks between now and the September ninth preliminary election,
how do you nail that gap?
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Well, look, Dan, I really we feel support, and all
these communities we go to, we feel a lot of support.
And over the next what is it forty five days
or so, I'm more than confident that as we get
our message out as Red and then learn more about me,
(04:01):
my background, what I've done in the communities through my
thirty five years, and what I think my idea is
in my vision for the city and the residents of
the city. I'm confident those numbers will change. And in
the end, look, if I paid attention to polls, I
(04:23):
never would have got in the race. And to me,
the only numbers that matter are votes, and I'm confident
that when it matters, we'll get the votes.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
So if someone comes up to you and says, namely,
the three top reasons why that voter should cast his
or her vote for you as opposed to the incumbent mayor,
I realize it's more than three or three reasons, but
what are the three ones? You know that it's sort
(04:55):
of an elevator pitch that you would talk to somebody
when you have their ear and their attention for thirty
seconds forty five seconds.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
All right, Dan, Well, big picture, I'll give you the
three tangibles, but big picture, overall, we're going to be
accessible and accountable to the residents, and we're going to
listen to them and restore common sense to city hall.
And through that, and we're going to be transparent, and
through that, we're going to make housing more affordable and attainable,
(05:27):
especially for working families that want to live here, raise
their kids here, and they're getting squeezed out of the city,
our working people, and that's the lifeblood of our neighborhoods,
the lifeblood of our communities. We need to get them
into houses and housing situation that they can afford so
they can stay and thrive here. So housing for working
(05:49):
people number two we're going to make. We are gonna do.
We are going to pause the installation of all new
bike lanes, and we're going to do what was not
done when the bike lanes were first put in. We're
going to do detailed traffic studies. We're going to study
the impact of bike lanes on business small businesses, and
(06:11):
we're going to listen to community feedback and use it
to implement a plan that will place bike lanes in
the best places possible for everyone. And finally, we're going
to restore fiscal responsibility to city hall. You know, last spring,
when Mayor Wu was trying to get a home rule
(06:33):
petition to increase taxes on businesses, she was asked, well,
what are you going to do? You going to find
savings in the city budget. She said, there's not a
penny to be cut. This is a city budget that
had grown more than twenty percent in her first three years,
which was roughly just under a billion dollars and the
(06:54):
budget was four point six billion dollars. When she says
there's not a penny to be cut, it's not only unbelievable,
it's incredibly disrespectful to so many Boston residents that make
hard fiscal choices every single day in their lives. So
workforce housing, more thoughtful bike lane placement, and fiscal responsibility
(07:19):
and discipline, fiscal management at city Hall.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
And I know there are other issues, certainly the White
Stating Mission we want to talk about. Yeah, there's a
whole lot of issues. Tax rates on commercial buildings which
still haven't come back from the problems of COVID time.
So we get to all of those in too phone
calls as well. Josh Kraft, candidate from mayor here in Boston.
(07:44):
A poll came out this week by very well respected
Dave Paleologus Suffolk University, a poll in the Boston Globe.
But there were some indications in there that this could
turn into a closer race, indeed, maybe a close race
by time the final election comes down in November. I
think most people probably are not tuned in at this point.
(08:08):
Josh Kraft it's the middle of summer. People are thinking
about vacations, thinking about getting back to school.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
They haven't focused on this yet.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
And I understand that you have some TV spots which
I want to talk about, which you are going to
come out in which people who have dealt with you
and benefited from knowing you over time, particularly young people,
will have an opportunity to support your campaign. So we
got a lot to talk about. I have some other
specific questions. We'll keep rolling, but you folks are more
(08:36):
than welcome to join the conversation and talk with Josh Graft,
who would like to be the mayor of Boston.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
He has a remarkable career.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
He could have gone in a lot of different directions
in his career, but he has chosen to help young people,
and I think that is that's as admirable a career
as anyone could take take on as the head of
boys and girls clubs in and around the greater Boston area.
Back with Josh Kraft on Nightside. Right after these quick messages.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
You're on night Side with Dan Ray on w Boston's
news radio.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
So our lines are filled up. The only lines that
are open the six, one, seven, nine, ten, thirty, Josh.
One of the advantages that may who seems to have
is she's very critical of the Trump administration. Now again,
the Trump administration has has has declared, you know, for
(09:40):
all intents and purposes, war on Boston. I haven't heard
you talk much about the Trump administration, and I haven't
heard you. I know that your dad is pretty good
friends as we are told, with the president with the president.
Is that hurting your campaign? And if so, what can
you do about it?
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Well, it's obvious that the mayor tries to link me
to Donald Trump, but it's really not me at all.
You know, Listen, Dan, I'm a Democrat. I voted for
Kamala Harris. I made donations to Kamala Harris. I paid
(10:22):
for buses to knock on doors in Pennsylvania. Let me
be clear, I do not think Donald Trump has the ethics,
the values, the temperament, or the character to be the
president of the United States. I mean, his Big Beautiful
Bill really should be called the Big Ugly Bill. You know,
(10:42):
it's crushing our most vulnerable, pulling health care from them,
pulling food benefits from some of our most vulnerable people,
and then he doubles down on the mass deportation plans
of our immigrant community. And look, violent criminals should be deported,
but working people who are doing the right thing and
(11:03):
trying to live the American dream for this generation and
next should not be penalized. So I've never been a
fan of Donald Trump. I know, look at I love
my dad. We agree on many things. We have disagreed
on Donald Trump since twenty sixteen. I've never voted for him.
I've never sent him a penny of my money, and
(11:25):
I never will. And that's h and I never will.
And that's just how I felt from day one. I
am a dad. I think he's I think it's horrible
for our country to have someone like him in office.
And you see it every day. There's you know, look
(11:47):
at the tariffs he's putting on, the pressure that's putting
on folks, raising prices all across the country. And I've
never been a fan of Donald Trump. I've never voted forum,
I never will, and I've never wrote him a check.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Ye again, I would certainly agree with you when you know,
deport those who shouldn't be here, not a problem, particularly
those who are a threat to our society. There was
an incident of New York over the weekend where at
least one illegal shot a an ice officer. I think
(12:25):
it was a run of the mill robbery. It wasn't
that the the ice officer was identified, but those people
we got to. You got to find him and get
him out. They don't belong here. But I think to
start off with some people who do not fit that
category is a an unforced error and a and a
tactical mistake.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
I want to ask you one other question, which.
Speaker 3 (12:51):
I don't know if you've even thought of this, but
obviously you as a challenger, should you fortunate enough to
be elected, I assume the answer to this question is yes,
you would serve the full term for what you were elected,
you know, God willing, unless something horrible happened, You're there
for the duration.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Correct.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
But Dan, oh yeah, Look, Dan, if I'm lucky enough
to earn the support of the Boston voters and become
the next mayor in November, I'll not only serve the
full term, but I'll serve for as long as voters
want me to say.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
You know, I.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
This is what I want to do. This is I
call it. You know. I spent my life doing community
work and being the mayor of the city is the
ultimate community work job, bringing together everybody for the greater good.
And that's what I that's what excites me, That's what
I'm passionate about. And you know, funny be interesting to
(13:56):
see how Mayor Wu would answer that, because it definitely
feels like this mayoral position for her is just a
stepping stone for further who knows what I look at
Tom and be interesting if someone would ask her that question, Well.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
If I can get it to come on the show,
I will ask her that question, I guarantee you because
I always like to ask that question because it's a
pretty simple question. You know, I think the great mayors
like Marty Walsh and Tom Minino, in Ray Flynn and
for that mentor Kevin White. Kevin White served four terms.
He was you know, he did run for governor and
in lost in nineteen seventy and and that was it.
(14:36):
He dabbled with the idea of becoming John Anderson vice
presidential candidate in nineteen seventy two. But Ray Flynn, you
do what he wants. He wanted to be mayor. Clearly,
Tom Andnino desperately wanted to be mayor. Longest serving mayor
Marty Walsh wanted to be mayor. I think an opportunity
came along for him which was just too good.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
To pass up.
Speaker 4 (14:58):
Yeah, once in a lifetime.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Once in a lifetime opportunity. I think.
Speaker 4 (15:05):
I think if you do, Dan, if I could be
if I don't mean to interrupt you, but just one
last comment on that. If if I could ever be
included in the same sentence as White, Flynn, Menino, and Walsh,
I'd be a happy guy.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
Oh here, Well, we've been very lucky with some with
some great mayors.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
And and I think, you know, Marty Walsh followed in
the footsteps of Tom Anino and did a great job
as well. And there was no better mayor, uh and
and no one you know who really loved this city.
And I think people read that, Josh, I think that
they they they can say, Okay, I might not know
the mayor personally, but but Tom Andino, for all of
(15:48):
his his his quirk sometimes and he could hold a grudge,
and he had, you know, he had some people who
he didn't like. Most people realize this guy really left
Boston and this is the job he want it and
and this is the job that was most most important
to him, and I think I think that's a quality
that pipe that people see intrinsically, they feel it intrinsically,
(16:11):
and uh, I just think that's that's an that's an
important point. Let me do this, drush. Let's let's get
to some phone calls here. We'll get one before the break,
and then we'll continue for the balance. Uh and hopefully
people will ask about issues. Let me go first off
to Victor joins Us. Victor is from Boston. Victory, you
are first up this hour on Night Side with Josh Kraft.
(16:31):
Go write ahead, Victor, what is your question or comment?
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Again?
Speaker 3 (16:34):
I ask everyone to be polite. You're gonna ask a
tough question, but you can do it politely. Go ahead, Victor.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
How you doing?
Speaker 6 (16:41):
Dan?
Speaker 4 (16:42):
How you doing?
Speaker 5 (16:42):
Mister mister craft? Pleasure to talk to you.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Could I ask you? Victor?
Speaker 3 (16:48):
I think you're on a cell phone right, you're on
a speakerphone.
Speaker 5 (16:53):
No, I have to speaker all Okay.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Well, just take that mouthpiece and put it right near
your mouth because you sound a little bit off and
we want to hear what you have to say. Just
move it right towards your mouth.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
Okay, let me can you hear me better?
Speaker 7 (17:06):
Now?
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Not really, but but just try to move.
Speaker 5 (17:09):
The mouth piece to Okay, I'll try to that's better.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I don't know what you did there, Victor, but that's better.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
But mister craft, plug, you're talking to you. I I
won't go into details.
Speaker 7 (17:26):
I had a very bad experience some years ago with
a candidate and I didn't say nothing about it at
the time.
Speaker 5 (17:37):
But be that as it may. I'm a I'm a
few years over sixty, and I'm wondering what's your plans
for the seniors in the Boston area. I know you
wanna there's a lot on your plate, but can you
tell me something specifically that you have plans for seniors?
(17:59):
Are healthcare and housing?
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Okay, good question, Victor. Josh, thank you, Victor. I think
that's a big question.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
Whatever you could do to wrap it up quickly so
we get to the news of the bottom of the hour.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Go ahead, Josh, yeah, yeah, no, And thank you Victor,
and call me Josh next time. You don't have to
call me mister craft. Well, first of all, I know
that the cost of living for everybody, affordability, especially around
housing is a real issue, and we have a lot
of seniors who've been in houses for many, many years,
(18:33):
and the taxes keep going up, and I think it's crucial,
and we will figure out grow the abatement pool and
add more revenue to the pool that supports seniors paying
residential taxes. In addition, with we talked about Donald Trump
(18:55):
and his crazy, big beautiful bill and the impact on
some of our most vulnerable, our seniors in healthcare, and uh,
we're going to work hard with our local hospitals, our
federal delegation in the state to make sure that there
is not an interruption in healthcare for any of our
(19:16):
seniors because it's crucial.
Speaker 5 (19:21):
I understand that I asked that not only because I'm
nearing returnment age in some years. I'm just concerned because
I've known seniors who are not happy, and some of
them are real scared. So I wanted to get a
big picture of a bigger picture, or somewhat.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
Of a p Okay. Well, Victor, I think you get
a pretty good answer.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
I got you in before the newscast, but the newscast awaits,
and no, the newscast can be stopped for anybody.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
So I thank you for calling.
Speaker 3 (19:53):
I thank you if your question was a good one,
And I think a lot of people probably heard the
answer to market you make a plane? Mark you with
next on Nightside with Josh Kraft, what's your commented question?
Speaker 8 (20:06):
Hey, I just want to know what's going on with
White Stadium. I feel like my taxes keep going up,
and it's what two hundred million dollars now should not
be spent on something for the kids right here?
Speaker 4 (20:19):
Josh, oh wow?
Speaker 6 (20:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (20:21):
Well, look, I've been pretty clear about my standing on
White Stadium. I mean, we're right. The last number I
saw was one hundred and seventy two million dollars. Mayor
Wou said that was a worst case scenario, But so
then what is the real scenario? And I couldn't agree
(20:45):
more one hundred and seventy two million dollars for a
project that's going to primarily benefit a private entity, a
professional soccer team. The stadium definitely needed to be fixed,
needed to be upgraded, but up and Lowell They redid
College Stadium for eight million dollars. In addition, you know,
(21:09):
White Stadium has been a seventy five years a football stadium.
Football teams won't be able to play games there till November.
What's that one game in one hundred and seventy two
million dollars. You could have done something for eight million dollars.
And who's who's left hole paying the bill? The taxpayers.
(21:31):
It's not going to benefit BPS kids, the generations of
neighbors that have used that park. Generations of neighbors now
will be restricted at certain times from accessing from accessing
a park they've used for years. In addition, I think
it's one hundred and forty eight trees taken down, century
(21:51):
old trees taken down from an administration that teuts their
commitment to green and environmental causes. I mean, everything about
it is hypocritical, and there's zero transparency on the cost
except when residents get their tax bills, then there won't
be transparency.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
All right, Mark, great questions, Thank you very much for calling.
I have a great night.
Speaker 3 (22:16):
Pretty comprehensive answer as well. Let me go next to
Joe in Belmont. Joe, you are not a Boston resident,
but go right ahead.
Speaker 6 (22:23):
I'd like to ask Josh two questions. First, are you
pro life or pro choice? And seconds, do you think
pro life issues are still important to Christians?
Speaker 3 (22:37):
That's really not a City of Boston type question, but
I'll get give it an opportunity to take a shot
at it.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
Joe, right ahead.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
Look, Josh, I'm strongly pro choice, and look, I also
believe we live in a country where everyone has the
right to speak their mind. And it's your pro choice,
pro life, it is what it is. You should have
the ability to express yourself. But I am strongly pro choice.
Speaker 6 (23:07):
Thank you for your honesty, all.
Speaker 3 (23:09):
I appreciate it. Joe, Thank you much, a direct question.
It's an issue that's very important to Joe. Let's go
next too. John is in Dorchester. John, you were next
on Nightside.
Speaker 9 (23:18):
Welcome, Hey Dad, Hey Josh. I'm a city Hall last
week to ask about my tax assessment, which was a
ginormous thumb and city Hall is an absolute ghost town.
There wasn't even a receptionist there. You know, Will Josh
Craft make sure that he and his staff are accessible
at city Hall because what happened to me last week
(23:39):
was negligent and disrespectful and I can't imagine how other
Bostonians feel about that.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
So, John, you went in and there was no one
that that was available. What time of day did you
go in?
Speaker 9 (23:50):
I went in it was it must have been I
think it was Thursday at around three pm.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Hopefully the weekend hadn't started. Josh, go right ahead.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
Well look, John, thanks for the question. Our administration is
going to be about five things common sense, accountability, accessibility,
transparency and competence, competent fiscal and operational management. But our
number one are the number one group of people that
(24:21):
we need to be responsive to and accountable to and
accessible to are the residents. So I can guarantee you
that when people come to City Hall Friday at four
forty five or Monday at nine am, there will always
be people in the building under our administration to help you,
(24:42):
because we are responsible to every single resident in the
city and we need to be there for them because
that's what our job is.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
All right, good question, John.
Speaker 3 (24:55):
I think I think the sort of nuts and bolt
questions that you asked might be the most important question
so far.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
Thanks John.
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Not that the others haven't been good, but that's it.
That's that's something people don't forget. You go in, You
go all the way in the city Hall and there's
no one there at three thirty in the afternoon and Thursday,
where is everybody.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Let's keep rolling here. We're going to get one more
in before the break Bill is in East Boston.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Bill, you were next on nice Side with Boston Mayo
candidate Josh Kraft.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Go right ahead, Bill, Oh hi, thanks Dan, Josh. Thanks
for taking my call. I appreciate it. A little bit
of a weird call to make. But someone's been putting
your signs on my house, and you know it happened.
They put it on my fence and I took it down.
(25:42):
They then used blue tape and glue and glued it
to the front of my house. Nothing against you. I
you know, I don't like or have I We've never
been in that house for eighty years, the whole family.
I've had political signs on the house. And you know,
no one even has a courtesy to you know, knock
(26:03):
on the knock on the door, ring the bell, ask permission.
I would have explained that, Well.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
I'll tell you what, let's do. Let's do this. Bill,
Why did you leave your address? I'm gonna have Josh
in a second. Well, but before when we finished, why
don't you leave your address with Josh And I'm sure
he can get in touch with his court.
Speaker 10 (26:21):
That's great.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, Bell, my yeah, Bill, my my
sincere apologies. I don't like to do business that way.
I will make sure it doesn't happen again. And I'm
sorry you had to deal with it, and please accept.
Speaker 8 (26:39):
This.
Speaker 4 (26:39):
This isn't a negativity against you. It's just you know,
I just I'm glad I was able to get through
and talk to you, and I feel better. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
Well you hang in there.
Speaker 3 (26:50):
Give them Rob your address and when we finish up,
Rob will give that to Josh, and I'm sure that
he will and he can.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
I'll give him my number two. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Thanks, Okay, I tell you what.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
Yeah, who knows, maybe you'll turn into a voter. Maybe
you want to sign You never know, Josh.
Speaker 4 (27:04):
That's yeah, no, no problem, but that shouldn't happen. And
I apologize and I'm embarrassed by it.
Speaker 3 (27:11):
Acts Yeah, you know, it's it's sort of the the opposite.
Most of the time you hear someone get their sign
ripped down. So yeah, but yeah, it happens. You get
enthusiastic supporters and maybe they make a make a judgment,
make a mistake six one seven, two, five four ten
thirty one line there and a couple at six one
seven ninety. My guess is Josh Kraft Ken a fam mayor.
(27:32):
By the way, what we will give this a couple
of times, Josh, But what is your website? How can
how can people get in touch with your campaign if
they are so inclined?
Speaker 11 (27:40):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (27:41):
Great, thanks An Joshfroboston dot com. Please go on there.
You can see our policies on housing, schools, mass and cash,
LGBTQ plus right and so on. We have a number
of pol transfer to We have a number of policies up.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Okay, we'll take a quick break, final commercial messages. We'll
be back for a final segment with Josh Kraft. If
you'd like to get in. I got a I got
a little room six one seven, two, four, ten thirty
or six one seven ninety. Coming right back on Nightside
with Boston candidate for Mayor, Josh Graft.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
Night Side with Dan Ray on w BZ, Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Back to the phones. I promise everyone will get in.
Who is here now? Eileen is next, Earleen and Boston
You're next on night Side.
Speaker 12 (28:31):
I lean go right ahead, Hi, Josh, Hi Dan. I
am I'm a lifelong Boston resident and I still live here,
born and raised proudly, and I just want to say, Josh,
I'm very excited about your candidacy, and I'm reading a
lot about you and I'm definitely leaning toward voting to you.
But can you just talk a little bit about what
(28:55):
what is your plan I'm not clear on this, what
is your plan for working families? And how are we
going to jump start some of the stalled housing that's
lingering in the city right now?
Speaker 4 (29:08):
All right, well, thank you, Eileen. You know, housing, workforce
housing is really the number one issue in the city
of Boston is affordability driven by the cost of housing,
especially for working families. And I know right now there's
twenty six thousand units of permitted housing ready to be
(29:29):
built but cannot get built because it's too expensive. So
our first day in office, we're going to jumpstart those
programs by making it less expensive for builders to build them,
and we're going to get those twenty six thousand units moving.
And with those units come, not only is it creating
more housing because the way the lower the cost of
(29:52):
housing is build more of it. It also comes with
one hundred and twenty five million dollars of tax revenue.
We're going to take portion of that and create a
first time home buyer program that includes working families because
right now, working families make too much money to qualify
for first time home buyer programs, but not enough to
(30:13):
buy homes. So we're going to include increase the eligibility
UH require so that more people can participate in this
first time home buyer program. So we're going to build
more housing because the best availability equals affordability, and we're
going to create a first time home buyer program that
(30:33):
includes working families.
Speaker 3 (30:37):
There there go, Eleen hope that Helps's super helpful.
Speaker 12 (30:41):
Thank you, Josh, Thank you.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
Dan, Thanks Ellen, appreciate Thank you o.
Speaker 4 (30:44):
Eileen, thanks for the call.
Speaker 3 (30:45):
Thank you very much. Let's go next to Kevin in Dorchester. Kevin,
you're next on nights Side with Josh Craft.
Speaker 5 (30:52):
Hi, thank you Dan.
Speaker 11 (30:54):
Hi, mister Kraft. You know, I hear a lot of
talk about affordable housing and stuff, but you know, I'm
a small business owner in the city, and I don't
hear much talk about what's going to happen for the
small businesses and how we're going to help them expand
and bring in new businesses to the city. I just
don't hear a lot of.
Speaker 4 (31:12):
Talk about that, And I wonder if you had a
plan about that yeah, thanks Kevin. So I'll start with
businesses then move to small businesses. We all know that
the city of Boston, over the next five years, we
are going to lose one point seven billion dollars in
commercial tax revenue, money that supports our city. So when
(31:37):
our administration gets into office, we are going to be
open for business. We are going to incentivize businesses to
move here to Boston because we need businesses here, A,
because we want to create career paths for as many
of our young people as possible. We want to re
(31:58):
energize our downtown, which is really hurting right now, and
of course create tax revenue to make up for the
one point seven billion we're losing. So we will be
open to attract businesses from across the country. I'll go
to trade shows everywhere to get them here to Boston.
When it comes to small businesses, a couple of things
(32:19):
we will do. We will create a one stop shopping
program to make it more efficient for small businesses to
get the permits and the certifications and licenses they need
to open up or to continue keeping their doors open.
Right now, it's too hard they got the licensing process.
(32:40):
Permitting is spread across different departments, and it's just too
hard for small businesses. They don't have the cash, or
the time or the capital to spend months and months
getting all the permits they need. So we're going to
create a one stop shopping program for small businesusinesses. In addition,
(33:01):
we're going to create a small Business Advisory Group from
businesses from with representation from every neighborhood in the city,
and it'll be a way for businesses to small businesses
to figure out what they need to be more efficient
and impactful, and also create training opportunities that can make
(33:23):
businesses more impactful across our city because in the end,
the small business we're a city of neighborhoods and small
businesses out of a heartbeat of each and every one
of those neighborhoods, and if our small businesses thrive, our
city thrives.
Speaker 3 (33:36):
All right, Kevin, great question. Want to get one more
in here. Let me go to Larissa, who is from Newton.
Speaker 2 (33:42):
Larissa, you were next on Nice Out with Joshkraft.
Speaker 10 (33:45):
Hi, Josh, thanks for taking my call. I was actually
wondering what you're going to do about the exam schools
and how you're going to make it so that the
exam schools do what they have to do again what
they were meant to do, which is educate the most
gifted children and not have any sort of politics involved
in it, but just the good education that we're used to.
Speaker 2 (34:08):
Great question.
Speaker 3 (34:09):
As a graduate of one of those exam schools, it
really troubles it troubles me as well.
Speaker 4 (34:14):
Go ahead, Josh, Thanks Florissa. Two answers to that. The
first is, we have to look at the entrance policy
for the exam schools, and I don't think or we
don't think my administration will. We'll look hard at it
and make sure that zip codes do not outweigh meritocracy
(34:40):
when it comes to entrance to the schools. That's very important.
We need to look hard at that and get it
back the other way where meritocracy is as important or
more important than zip code. Secondly, we've talked about expanding
seats in exam schools or creating satellite exam satellites to
(35:03):
some of the exam schools as well.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
Great questions, great answers, Thanks Larissa. Just there's one issue
that we talked about last night that I'd like to
get a quick response to you.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
There was a little boy. Five year old. Boy's name
is Lenz Joseph Kindergarten.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
Stude got off a bus in Hyde Park April twenty eighth,
within a matter of moments was killed. It's been three months.
There's no indication of anything as to what has or
has not happened, No indictments. There seems to be a
blackout from city Hall, seems to be a blackout from
the DA's office, seems to be a blackout from the
Boston Police Department. It bothers the hell out of me
(35:40):
that his family does not know what went on here.
Speaker 4 (35:44):
Your thought on that, well, Banks, Dan, You know, really
it's just another example of the lack of transparency from
this administration. And you know, it's funny. We were talking
about Donald Trump earlier and Mayor Woo loves to connect
me to Donald Trump just because we already went through it.
(36:08):
I have nothing to do with the guy, you know,
it's my dad's connection, but she loves and what it
really is is just a distraction from the issues that
she does not want to talk about, which really calling
to question her record as mayor. And this, this awful,
(36:28):
tragic incident, is but one example. We talked about White Stadium.
There's a complete lack of transparency with that, with how
the RFP was created, so that there was only the
people that were awarded the RFP were the ones that
created the RFP. As I said, one hundred and seventy
(36:50):
two million dollars is what I have seen, and we
were told that's worst case scenarios than what is the
real scenario. Swimming. There's no transparency on White UH. With
that White stadium, we had half the swimming pools are
almost half the swimming pools in the city have not
been open this summer. We have no idea why, but
(37:13):
I know a majority of them are in black and
brown commute in our neighborhoods and and there just has
been a real lack of transparency. I mean, we've we
find out cabin and officials UH are arrested from the
mayor senior team. We find out through the newspaper, through
(37:34):
alternative websites.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
And Josh, I got to hold you there because because
we're flat out of time for this this particular hour.
But I hope we can do it again soon and
I hope that we can get some answers on the
on the Lenz Joseph Case as to.
Speaker 4 (37:47):
What happened, I agree, a tragedy.
Speaker 3 (37:52):
Your website is Josh for Boston dot dot com. Pretty easy,
Josh for Boston dot Com.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
Look forward to talking to him again.
Speaker 3 (38:01):
It's a long way to September ninth, and it's a
longer way to November. So hope you, hope you. Wish
you continued success and continued luck. I think you're running
a very admirable campaign, and I hope people listen to
what you have to say tonight.
Speaker 2 (38:16):
Josh Graft, thanks so much.
Speaker 3 (38:18):
Dan, You're welcome, Welcome back when we're going to wade
into another controversy, the firing of two executives, two executives
from Market Basket. We had them on the show about
ten days ago, and we'll be back tonight with them again.
We'll be back on Night's side right after this
It's night Side with Dan Ray on WVS Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
All right, welcome back everyone.
Speaker 3 (00:08):
I just wanted to take a one minute before we
get to our guest, Boston merriw candidate Josh Kraft, remind
all of you there's a new way to be a
part of the night Side broadcast by utilizing our talkback
feature on the iHeartRadio app. Make sure you download the
app and have the free iHeartRadio app on while listening
to Nightside Live on WBZ News Radio, you can tap
(00:29):
the red microphone talkback button in the right hand corner
the top right corner to send us your personalized audio message.
Keep it clean and we'll play it back on Nightside.
It's that simple. Once again, hit that rid microphone button
on the top right hand corner of the app while
listening to night Side, and you can send us your
audio message. You can be a compliment or a criticism,
just keep it clean. Now we are delighted to welcome
(00:52):
back to Nightside the mayoral candidate here in Boston.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
He is Josh.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
I think everyone knows something about Josh Craft at this point,
someone who is a member of the Patriots football family,
the ownership family, but has stepped away from any role
with the Patriots and has worked for many years with
boys and girls clubs here in the Greater Boston area.
(01:23):
Josh Craft, welcome back to Night's Side.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Dan, Thanks for having me as always, I really appreciate
the opportunity, and I'm grateful any chance I get to
get on there with you.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Well, you're always welcome, I'm sure you know that, and
give folks an opportunity tonight to talk with you directly
at some point ask questions. We ask people always to
be polite. You had a big poll come out this
week and there were some things in the poll that
could be discouraging, some things in the poll that were interesting.
(02:01):
What was your reaction. I mean, you've started at zero
early this year and there's a group of voters in
Boston who apparently like what you're saying.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
You need more. What's the plan to find more?
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Well, look, Dan, we're going to continue to do what
we've done from day one, and that's get into the neighborhoods,
get around all the neighborhoods and listen to people, talk
to residents, understand their concerns. So so many people are
disappointed with this mayor in the direction the city's going,
(02:42):
you know, from the lack of housing that working people
can afford, to schools, how taxpayer dollars are being misspent,
to the human tragedy that we look at every day
of mass and cast the city. The basic city services, streets,
the sidewalks are terrible. And the residents of Boston deserves
(03:06):
so much more from their mayor and the local the
municipal government, as do the small businesses, and they're not
getting it now. And we've heard these same things in
every neighborhood, regardless of socioeconomics, race, ethnicity, religion. It's the
(03:27):
same things we hear everywhere.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
So the question is, how do you in the next
few weeks between now and the September ninth preliminary election,
how do you nail that gap?
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Well, look, Dan, I really we feel support, and all
these communities we go to, we feel a lot of support.
And over the next what is it forty five days
or so, I'm more than confident that as we get
our message out as Red and then learn more about me,
(04:01):
my background, what I've done in the communities through my
thirty five years, and what I think my idea is
in my vision for the city and the residents of
the city. I'm confident those numbers will change. And in
the end, look, if I paid attention to polls, I
(04:23):
never would have got in the race. And to me,
the only numbers that matter are votes, and I'm confident
that when it matters, we'll get the votes.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
So if someone comes up to you and says, namely,
the three top reasons why that voter should cast his
or her vote for you as opposed to the incumbent mayor,
I realize it's more than three or three reasons, but
what are the three ones? You know that it's sort
(04:55):
of an elevator pitch that you would talk to somebody
when you have their ear and their attention for thirty
seconds forty five seconds.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
All right, Dan, Well, big picture, I'll give you the
three tangibles, but big picture, overall, we're going to be
accessible and accountable to the residents, and we're going to
listen to them and restore common sense to city hall.
And through that, and we're going to be transparent, and
through that, we're going to make housing more affordable and attainable,
(05:27):
especially for working families that want to live here, raise
their kids here, and they're getting squeezed out of the city,
our working people, and that's the lifeblood of our neighborhoods,
the lifeblood of our communities. We need to get them
into houses and housing situation that they can afford so
they can stay and thrive here. So housing for working
(05:49):
people number two we're going to make. We are gonna do.
We are going to pause the installation of all new
bike lanes, and we're going to do what was not
done when the bike lanes were first put in. We're
going to do detailed traffic studies. We're going to study
the impact of bike lanes on business small businesses, and
(06:11):
we're going to listen to community feedback and use it
to implement a plan that will place bike lanes in
the best places possible for everyone. And finally, we're going
to restore fiscal responsibility to city hall. You know, last spring,
when Mayor Wu was trying to get a home rule
(06:33):
petition to increase taxes on businesses, she was asked, well,
what are you going to do? You going to find
savings in the city budget. She said, there's not a
penny to be cut. This is a city budget that
had grown more than twenty percent in her first three years,
which was roughly just under a billion dollars and the
(06:54):
budget was four point six billion dollars. When she says
there's not a penny to be cut, it's not only unbelievable,
it's incredibly disrespectful to so many Boston residents that make
hard fiscal choices every single day in their lives. So
workforce housing, more thoughtful bike lane placement, and fiscal responsibility
(07:19):
and discipline, fiscal management at city Hall.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
And I know there are other issues, certainly the White
Stating Mission we want to talk about. Yeah, there's a
whole lot of issues. Tax rates on commercial buildings which
still haven't come back from the problems of COVID time.
So we get to all of those in too phone
calls as well. Josh Kraft, candidate from mayor here in Boston.
(07:44):
A poll came out this week by very well respected
Dave Paleologus Suffolk University, a poll in the Boston Globe.
But there were some indications in there that this could
turn into a closer race, indeed, maybe a close race
by time the final election comes down in November. I
think most people probably are not tuned in at this point.
(08:08):
Josh Kraft it's the middle of summer. People are thinking
about vacations, thinking about getting back to school.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
They haven't focused on this yet.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
And I understand that you have some TV spots which
I want to talk about, which you are going to
come out in which people who have dealt with you
and benefited from knowing you over time, particularly young people,
will have an opportunity to support your campaign. So we
got a lot to talk about. I have some other
specific questions. We'll keep rolling, but you folks are more
(08:36):
than welcome to join the conversation and talk with Josh Graft,
who would like to be the mayor of Boston.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
He has a remarkable career.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
He could have gone in a lot of different directions
in his career, but he has chosen to help young people,
and I think that is that's as admirable a career
as anyone could take take on as the head of
boys and girls clubs in and around the greater Boston area.
Back with Josh Kraft on Nightside. Right after these quick messages.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
You're on night Side with Dan Ray on w Boston's
news radio.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
So our lines are filled up. The only lines that
are open the six, one, seven, nine, ten, thirty, Josh.
One of the advantages that may who seems to have
is she's very critical of the Trump administration. Now again,
the Trump administration has has has declared, you know, for
(09:40):
all intents and purposes, war on Boston. I haven't heard
you talk much about the Trump administration, and I haven't
heard you. I know that your dad is pretty good
friends as we are told, with the president with the president.
Is that hurting your campaign? And if so, what can
you do about it?
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Well, it's obvious that the mayor tries to link me
to Donald Trump, but it's really not me at all.
You know, Listen, Dan, I'm a Democrat. I voted for
Kamala Harris. I made donations to Kamala Harris. I paid
(10:22):
for buses to knock on doors in Pennsylvania. Let me
be clear, I do not think Donald Trump has the ethics,
the values, the temperament, or the character to be the
president of the United States. I mean, his Big Beautiful
Bill really should be called the Big Ugly Bill. You know,
(10:42):
it's crushing our most vulnerable, pulling health care from them,
pulling food benefits from some of our most vulnerable people,
and then he doubles down on the mass deportation plans
of our immigrant community. And look, violent criminals should be deported,
but working people who are doing the right thing and
(11:03):
trying to live the American dream for this generation and
next should not be penalized. So I've never been a
fan of Donald Trump. I know, look at I love
my dad. We agree on many things. We have disagreed
on Donald Trump since twenty sixteen. I've never voted for him.
I've never sent him a penny of my money, and
(11:25):
I never will. And that's h and I never will.
And that's just how I felt from day one. I
am a dad. I think he's I think it's horrible
for our country to have someone like him in office.
And you see it every day. There's you know, look
(11:47):
at the tariffs he's putting on, the pressure that's putting
on folks, raising prices all across the country. And I've
never been a fan of Donald Trump. I've never voted forum,
I never will, and I've never wrote him a check.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Ye again, I would certainly agree with you when you know,
deport those who shouldn't be here, not a problem, particularly
those who are a threat to our society. There was
an incident of New York over the weekend where at
least one illegal shot a an ice officer. I think
(12:25):
it was a run of the mill robbery. It wasn't
that the the ice officer was identified, but those people
we got to. You got to find him and get
him out. They don't belong here. But I think to
start off with some people who do not fit that
category is a an unforced error and a and a
tactical mistake.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
I want to ask you one other question, which.
Speaker 3 (12:51):
I don't know if you've even thought of this, but
obviously you as a challenger, should you fortunate enough to
be elected, I assume the answer to this question is yes,
you would serve the full term for what you were elected,
you know, God willing, unless something horrible happened, You're there
for the duration.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Correct.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
But Dan, oh yeah, Look, Dan, if I'm lucky enough
to earn the support of the Boston voters and become
the next mayor in November, I'll not only serve the
full term, but I'll serve for as long as voters
want me to say.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
You know, I.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
This is what I want to do. This is I
call it. You know. I spent my life doing community
work and being the mayor of the city is the
ultimate community work job, bringing together everybody for the greater good.
And that's what I that's what excites me, That's what
I'm passionate about. And you know, funny be interesting to
(13:56):
see how Mayor Wu would answer that, because it definitely
feels like this mayoral position for her is just a
stepping stone for further who knows what I look at
Tom and be interesting if someone would ask her that question, Well.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
If I can get it to come on the show,
I will ask her that question, I guarantee you because
I always like to ask that question because it's a
pretty simple question. You know, I think the great mayors
like Marty Walsh and Tom Minino, in Ray Flynn and
for that mentor Kevin White. Kevin White served four terms.
He was you know, he did run for governor and
in lost in nineteen seventy and and that was it.
(14:36):
He dabbled with the idea of becoming John Anderson vice
presidential candidate in nineteen seventy two. But Ray Flynn, you
do what he wants. He wanted to be mayor. Clearly,
Tom Andnino desperately wanted to be mayor. Longest serving mayor
Marty Walsh wanted to be mayor. I think an opportunity
came along for him which was just too good.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
To pass up.
Speaker 4 (14:58):
Yeah, once in a lifetime.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Once in a lifetime opportunity. I think.
Speaker 4 (15:05):
I think if you do, Dan, if I could be
if I don't mean to interrupt you, but just one
last comment on that. If if I could ever be
included in the same sentence as White, Flynn, Menino, and Walsh,
I'd be a happy guy.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
Oh here, Well, we've been very lucky with some with
some great mayors.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
And and I think, you know, Marty Walsh followed in
the footsteps of Tom Anino and did a great job
as well. And there was no better mayor, uh and
and no one you know who really loved this city.
And I think people read that, Josh, I think that
they they they can say, Okay, I might not know
the mayor personally, but but Tom Andino, for all of
(15:48):
his his his quirk sometimes and he could hold a grudge,
and he had, you know, he had some people who
he didn't like. Most people realize this guy really left
Boston and this is the job he want it and
and this is the job that was most most important
to him, and I think I think that's a quality
that pipe that people see intrinsically, they feel it intrinsically,
(16:11):
and uh, I just think that's that's an that's an
important point. Let me do this, drush. Let's let's get
to some phone calls here. We'll get one before the break,
and then we'll continue for the balance. Uh and hopefully
people will ask about issues. Let me go first off
to Victor joins Us. Victor is from Boston. Victory, you
are first up this hour on Night Side with Josh Kraft.
(16:31):
Go write ahead, Victor, what is your question or comment?
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Again?
Speaker 3 (16:34):
I ask everyone to be polite. You're gonna ask a
tough question, but you can do it politely. Go ahead, Victor.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
How you doing?
Speaker 6 (16:41):
Dan?
Speaker 4 (16:42):
How you doing?
Speaker 5 (16:42):
Mister mister craft? Pleasure to talk to you.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Could I ask you? Victor?
Speaker 3 (16:48):
I think you're on a cell phone right, you're on
a speakerphone.
Speaker 5 (16:53):
No, I have to speaker all Okay.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Well, just take that mouthpiece and put it right near
your mouth because you sound a little bit off and
we want to hear what you have to say. Just
move it right towards your mouth.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
Okay, let me can you hear me better?
Speaker 7 (17:06):
Now?
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Not really, but but just try to move.
Speaker 5 (17:09):
The mouth piece to Okay, I'll try to that's better.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I don't know what you did there, Victor, but that's better.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
But mister craft, plug, you're talking to you. I I
won't go into details.
Speaker 7 (17:26):
I had a very bad experience some years ago with
a candidate and I didn't say nothing about it at
the time.
Speaker 5 (17:37):
But be that as it may. I'm a I'm a
few years over sixty, and I'm wondering what's your plans
for the seniors in the Boston area. I know you
wanna there's a lot on your plate, but can you
tell me something specifically that you have plans for seniors?
(17:59):
Are healthcare and housing?
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Okay, good question, Victor. Josh, thank you, Victor. I think
that's a big question.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
Whatever you could do to wrap it up quickly so
we get to the news of the bottom of the hour.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Go ahead, Josh, yeah, yeah, no, And thank you Victor,
and call me Josh next time. You don't have to
call me mister craft. Well, first of all, I know
that the cost of living for everybody, affordability, especially around
housing is a real issue, and we have a lot
of seniors who've been in houses for many, many years,
(18:33):
and the taxes keep going up, and I think it's crucial,
and we will figure out grow the abatement pool and
add more revenue to the pool that supports seniors paying
residential taxes. In addition, with we talked about Donald Trump
(18:55):
and his crazy, big beautiful bill and the impact on
some of our most vulnerable, our seniors in healthcare, and uh,
we're going to work hard with our local hospitals, our
federal delegation in the state to make sure that there
is not an interruption in healthcare for any of our
(19:16):
seniors because it's crucial.
Speaker 5 (19:21):
I understand that I asked that not only because I'm
nearing returnment age in some years. I'm just concerned because
I've known seniors who are not happy, and some of
them are real scared. So I wanted to get a
big picture of a bigger picture, or somewhat.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
Of a p Okay. Well, Victor, I think you get
a pretty good answer.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
I got you in before the newscast, but the newscast awaits,
and no, the newscast can be stopped for anybody.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
So I thank you for calling.
Speaker 3 (19:53):
I thank you if your question was a good one,
And I think a lot of people probably heard the
answer to market you make a plane? Mark you with
next on Nightside with Josh Kraft, what's your commented question?
Speaker 8 (20:06):
Hey, I just want to know what's going on with
White Stadium. I feel like my taxes keep going up,
and it's what two hundred million dollars now should not
be spent on something for the kids right here?
Speaker 4 (20:19):
Josh, oh wow?
Speaker 6 (20:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (20:21):
Well, look, I've been pretty clear about my standing on
White Stadium. I mean, we're right. The last number I
saw was one hundred and seventy two million dollars. Mayor
Wou said that was a worst case scenario, But so
then what is the real scenario? And I couldn't agree
(20:45):
more one hundred and seventy two million dollars for a
project that's going to primarily benefit a private entity, a
professional soccer team. The stadium definitely needed to be fixed,
needed to be upgraded, but up and Lowell They redid
College Stadium for eight million dollars. In addition, you know,
(21:09):
White Stadium has been a seventy five years a football stadium.
Football teams won't be able to play games there till November.
What's that one game in one hundred and seventy two
million dollars. You could have done something for eight million dollars.
And who's who's left hole paying the bill? The taxpayers.
(21:31):
It's not going to benefit BPS kids, the generations of
neighbors that have used that park. Generations of neighbors now
will be restricted at certain times from accessing from accessing
a park they've used for years. In addition, I think
it's one hundred and forty eight trees taken down, century
(21:51):
old trees taken down from an administration that teuts their
commitment to green and environmental causes. I mean, everything about
it is hypocritical, and there's zero transparency on the cost
except when residents get their tax bills, then there won't
be transparency.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
All right, Mark, great questions, Thank you very much for calling.
I have a great night.
Speaker 3 (22:16):
Pretty comprehensive answer as well. Let me go next to
Joe in Belmont. Joe, you are not a Boston resident,
but go right ahead.
Speaker 6 (22:23):
I'd like to ask Josh two questions. First, are you
pro life or pro choice? And seconds, do you think
pro life issues are still important to Christians?
Speaker 3 (22:37):
That's really not a City of Boston type question, but
I'll get give it an opportunity to take a shot
at it.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
Joe, right ahead.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
Look, Josh, I'm strongly pro choice, and look, I also
believe we live in a country where everyone has the
right to speak their mind. And it's your pro choice,
pro life, it is what it is. You should have
the ability to express yourself. But I am strongly pro choice.
Speaker 6 (23:07):
Thank you for your honesty, all.
Speaker 3 (23:09):
I appreciate it. Joe, Thank you much, a direct question.
It's an issue that's very important to Joe. Let's go
next too. John is in Dorchester. John, you were next
on Nightside.
Speaker 9 (23:18):
Welcome, Hey Dad, Hey Josh. I'm a city Hall last
week to ask about my tax assessment, which was a
ginormous thumb and city Hall is an absolute ghost town.
There wasn't even a receptionist there. You know, Will Josh
Craft make sure that he and his staff are accessible
at city Hall because what happened to me last week
(23:39):
was negligent and disrespectful and I can't imagine how other
Bostonians feel about that.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
So, John, you went in and there was no one
that that was available. What time of day did you
go in?
Speaker 9 (23:50):
I went in it was it must have been I
think it was Thursday at around three pm.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Hopefully the weekend hadn't started. Josh, go right ahead.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
Well look, John, thanks for the question. Our administration is
going to be about five things common sense, accountability, accessibility,
transparency and competence, competent fiscal and operational management. But our
number one are the number one group of people that
(24:21):
we need to be responsive to and accountable to and
accessible to are the residents. So I can guarantee you
that when people come to City Hall Friday at four
forty five or Monday at nine am, there will always
be people in the building under our administration to help you,
(24:42):
because we are responsible to every single resident in the
city and we need to be there for them because
that's what our job is.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
All right, good question, John.
Speaker 3 (24:55):
I think I think the sort of nuts and bolt
questions that you asked might be the most important question
so far.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
Thanks John.
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Not that the others haven't been good, but that's it.
That's that's something people don't forget. You go in, You
go all the way in the city Hall and there's
no one there at three thirty in the afternoon and Thursday,
where is everybody.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Let's keep rolling here. We're going to get one more
in before the break Bill is in East Boston.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Bill, you were next on nice Side with Boston Mayo
candidate Josh Kraft.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Go right ahead, Bill, Oh hi, thanks Dan, Josh. Thanks
for taking my call. I appreciate it. A little bit
of a weird call to make. But someone's been putting
your signs on my house, and you know it happened.
They put it on my fence and I took it down.
(25:42):
They then used blue tape and glue and glued it
to the front of my house. Nothing against you. I
you know, I don't like or have I We've never
been in that house for eighty years, the whole family.
I've had political signs on the house. And you know,
no one even has a courtesy to you know, knock
(26:03):
on the knock on the door, ring the bell, ask permission.
I would have explained that, Well.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
I'll tell you what, let's do. Let's do this. Bill,
Why did you leave your address? I'm gonna have Josh
in a second. Well, but before when we finished, why
don't you leave your address with Josh And I'm sure
he can get in touch with his court.
Speaker 10 (26:21):
That's great.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, Bell, my yeah, Bill, my my
sincere apologies. I don't like to do business that way.
I will make sure it doesn't happen again. And I'm
sorry you had to deal with it, and please accept.
Speaker 8 (26:39):
This.
Speaker 4 (26:39):
This isn't a negativity against you. It's just you know,
I just I'm glad I was able to get through
and talk to you, and I feel better. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
Well you hang in there.
Speaker 3 (26:50):
Give them Rob your address and when we finish up,
Rob will give that to Josh, and I'm sure that
he will and he can.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
I'll give him my number two. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Thanks, Okay, I tell you what.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
Yeah, who knows, maybe you'll turn into a voter. Maybe
you want to sign You never know, Josh.
Speaker 4 (27:04):
That's yeah, no, no problem, but that shouldn't happen. And
I apologize and I'm embarrassed by it.
Speaker 3 (27:11):
Acts Yeah, you know, it's it's sort of the the opposite.
Most of the time you hear someone get their sign
ripped down. So yeah, but yeah, it happens. You get
enthusiastic supporters and maybe they make a make a judgment,
make a mistake six one seven, two, five four ten
thirty one line there and a couple at six one
seven ninety. My guess is Josh Kraft Ken a fam mayor.
(27:32):
By the way, what we will give this a couple
of times, Josh, But what is your website? How can
how can people get in touch with your campaign if
they are so inclined?
Speaker 11 (27:40):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (27:41):
Great, thanks An Joshfroboston dot com. Please go on there.
You can see our policies on housing, schools, mass and cash,
LGBTQ plus right and so on. We have a number
of pol transfer to We have a number of policies up.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Okay, we'll take a quick break, final commercial messages. We'll
be back for a final segment with Josh Kraft. If
you'd like to get in. I got a I got
a little room six one seven, two, four, ten thirty
or six one seven ninety. Coming right back on Nightside
with Boston candidate for Mayor, Josh Graft.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
Night Side with Dan Ray on w BZ, Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Back to the phones. I promise everyone will get in.
Who is here now? Eileen is next, Earleen and Boston
You're next on night Side.
Speaker 12 (28:31):
I lean go right ahead, Hi, Josh, Hi Dan. I
am I'm a lifelong Boston resident and I still live here,
born and raised proudly, and I just want to say, Josh,
I'm very excited about your candidacy, and I'm reading a
lot about you and I'm definitely leaning toward voting to you.
But can you just talk a little bit about what
(28:55):
what is your plan I'm not clear on this, what
is your plan for working families? And how are we
going to jump start some of the stalled housing that's
lingering in the city right now?
Speaker 4 (29:08):
All right, well, thank you, Eileen. You know, housing, workforce
housing is really the number one issue in the city
of Boston is affordability driven by the cost of housing,
especially for working families. And I know right now there's
twenty six thousand units of permitted housing ready to be
(29:29):
built but cannot get built because it's too expensive. So
our first day in office, we're going to jumpstart those
programs by making it less expensive for builders to build them,
and we're going to get those twenty six thousand units moving.
And with those units come, not only is it creating
more housing because the way the lower the cost of
(29:52):
housing is build more of it. It also comes with
one hundred and twenty five million dollars of tax revenue.
We're going to take portion of that and create a
first time home buyer program that includes working families because
right now, working families make too much money to qualify
for first time home buyer programs, but not enough to
(30:13):
buy homes. So we're going to include increase the eligibility
UH require so that more people can participate in this
first time home buyer program. So we're going to build
more housing because the best availability equals affordability, and we're
going to create a first time home buyer program that
(30:33):
includes working families.
Speaker 3 (30:37):
There there go, Eleen hope that Helps's super helpful.
Speaker 12 (30:41):
Thank you, Josh, Thank you.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
Dan, Thanks Ellen, appreciate Thank you o.
Speaker 4 (30:44):
Eileen, thanks for the call.
Speaker 3 (30:45):
Thank you very much. Let's go next to Kevin in Dorchester. Kevin,
you're next on nights Side with Josh Craft.
Speaker 5 (30:52):
Hi, thank you Dan.
Speaker 11 (30:54):
Hi, mister Kraft. You know, I hear a lot of
talk about affordable housing and stuff, but you know, I'm
a small business owner in the city, and I don't
hear much talk about what's going to happen for the
small businesses and how we're going to help them expand
and bring in new businesses to the city. I just
don't hear a lot of.
Speaker 4 (31:12):
Talk about that, And I wonder if you had a
plan about that yeah, thanks Kevin. So I'll start with
businesses then move to small businesses. We all know that
the city of Boston, over the next five years, we
are going to lose one point seven billion dollars in
commercial tax revenue, money that supports our city. So when
(31:37):
our administration gets into office, we are going to be
open for business. We are going to incentivize businesses to
move here to Boston because we need businesses here, A,
because we want to create career paths for as many
of our young people as possible. We want to re
(31:58):
energize our downtown, which is really hurting right now, and
of course create tax revenue to make up for the
one point seven billion we're losing. So we will be
open to attract businesses from across the country. I'll go
to trade shows everywhere to get them here to Boston.
When it comes to small businesses, a couple of things
(32:19):
we will do. We will create a one stop shopping
program to make it more efficient for small businesses to
get the permits and the certifications and licenses they need
to open up or to continue keeping their doors open.
Right now, it's too hard they got the licensing process.
(32:40):
Permitting is spread across different departments, and it's just too
hard for small businesses. They don't have the cash, or
the time or the capital to spend months and months
getting all the permits they need. So we're going to
create a one stop shopping program for small businesusinesses. In addition,
(33:01):
we're going to create a small Business Advisory Group from
businesses from with representation from every neighborhood in the city,
and it'll be a way for businesses to small businesses
to figure out what they need to be more efficient
and impactful, and also create training opportunities that can make
(33:23):
businesses more impactful across our city because in the end,
the small business we're a city of neighborhoods and small
businesses out of a heartbeat of each and every one
of those neighborhoods, and if our small businesses thrive, our
city thrives.
Speaker 3 (33:36):
All right, Kevin, great question. Want to get one more
in here. Let me go to Larissa, who is from Newton.
Speaker 2 (33:42):
Larissa, you were next on Nice Out with Joshkraft.
Speaker 10 (33:45):
Hi, Josh, thanks for taking my call. I was actually
wondering what you're going to do about the exam schools
and how you're going to make it so that the
exam schools do what they have to do again what
they were meant to do, which is educate the most
gifted children and not have any sort of politics involved
in it, but just the good education that we're used to.
Speaker 2 (34:08):
Great question.
Speaker 3 (34:09):
As a graduate of one of those exam schools, it
really troubles it troubles me as well.
Speaker 4 (34:14):
Go ahead, Josh, Thanks Florissa. Two answers to that. The
first is, we have to look at the entrance policy
for the exam schools, and I don't think or we
don't think my administration will. We'll look hard at it
and make sure that zip codes do not outweigh meritocracy
(34:40):
when it comes to entrance to the schools. That's very important.
We need to look hard at that and get it
back the other way where meritocracy is as important or
more important than zip code. Secondly, we've talked about expanding
seats in exam schools or creating satellite exam satellites to
(35:03):
some of the exam schools as well.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
Great questions, great answers, Thanks Larissa. Just there's one issue
that we talked about last night that I'd like to
get a quick response to you.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
There was a little boy. Five year old. Boy's name
is Lenz Joseph Kindergarten.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
Stude got off a bus in Hyde Park April twenty eighth,
within a matter of moments was killed. It's been three months.
There's no indication of anything as to what has or
has not happened, No indictments. There seems to be a
blackout from city Hall, seems to be a blackout from
the DA's office, seems to be a blackout from the
Boston Police Department. It bothers the hell out of me
(35:40):
that his family does not know what went on here.
Speaker 4 (35:44):
Your thought on that, well, Banks, Dan, You know, really
it's just another example of the lack of transparency from
this administration. And you know, it's funny. We were talking
about Donald Trump earlier and Mayor Woo loves to connect
me to Donald Trump just because we already went through it.
(36:08):
I have nothing to do with the guy, you know,
it's my dad's connection, but she loves and what it
really is is just a distraction from the issues that
she does not want to talk about, which really calling
to question her record as mayor. And this, this awful,
(36:28):
tragic incident, is but one example. We talked about White Stadium.
There's a complete lack of transparency with that, with how
the RFP was created, so that there was only the
people that were awarded the RFP were the ones that
created the RFP. As I said, one hundred and seventy
(36:50):
two million dollars is what I have seen, and we
were told that's worst case scenarios than what is the
real scenario. Swimming. There's no transparency on White UH. With
that White stadium, we had half the swimming pools are
almost half the swimming pools in the city have not
been open this summer. We have no idea why, but
(37:13):
I know a majority of them are in black and
brown commute in our neighborhoods and and there just has
been a real lack of transparency. I mean, we've we
find out cabin and officials UH are arrested from the
mayor senior team. We find out through the newspaper, through
(37:34):
alternative websites.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
And Josh, I got to hold you there because because
we're flat out of time for this this particular hour.
But I hope we can do it again soon and
I hope that we can get some answers on the
on the Lenz Joseph Case as to.
Speaker 4 (37:47):
What happened, I agree, a tragedy.
Speaker 3 (37:52):
Your website is Josh for Boston dot dot com. Pretty easy,
Josh for Boston dot Com.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
Look forward to talking to him again.
Speaker 3 (38:01):
It's a long way to September ninth, and it's a
longer way to November. So hope you, hope you. Wish
you continued success and continued luck. I think you're running
a very admirable campaign, and I hope people listen to
what you have to say tonight.
Speaker 2 (38:16):
Josh Graft, thanks so much.
Speaker 3 (38:18):
Dan, You're welcome, Welcome back when we're going to wade
into another controversy, the firing of two executives, two executives
from Market Basket. We had them on the show about
ten days ago, and we'll be back tonight with them again.
We'll be back on Night's side right after this
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