Air Date: November 6 2023 on 91.3FM WVKR-
When the heart of Poughkeepsie beats, it echoes through the life of Chris Grant, a figure whose story we unravel in an interview not to be missed. Experiencing Chris's journey from a student to an entrepreneur and city council member reveals a whole lot of ambition. He discusses his vision for a better school district and as a father himself, he provides insights into nurturing children in today's world. Chris's day-to-day as a council member unfolds before us, painting a picture of dedication to community ties and progress.
Amid the backdrop of an upcoming mayoral election, we also sit down with then-mayoral candidate Yvonne Flowers. She does not hold back on hot-button issues like gentrification and affordable housing, articulating her plans for a sustainable quality of life in Poughkeepsie. Exploring the role of local politics in shaping a city's future, our discussion touches on lighter moments of civic duty to the substantial impact of leadership and accountability. With November 7th drawing closer, learn why Flowers passionately believes she's the change agent Poughkeepsie needs. This episode isn't just about celebrating milestones—it's an eye-opening look at the forces driving one city's hopeful march toward a brighter tomorrow.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Erin Boogie (00:01):
The segment of In the Field Radio is brought to
you by the Village GlobalNetwork, airing on Culture Shock
Radio, versaio, rockbox FM andWaptor Music FM.
Lady D (00:12):
It's In the Field Radio y'all.
Everything's real in the fieldOn 91.3 FM WVKR.
Erin Boogie (00:22):
Welcome back to In the Field Radio.
I'm Erin Boogie.
I'm here with Miss Lady D.
Lady D (00:26):
What's going on?
Erin Boogie (00:27):
And we have birthday boy Chris Grant in the
building.
Chris Grant (00:30):
Hi everybody.
Erin Boogie (00:31):
In the virtual building.
Chris Grant (00:33):
In the virtual building.
Lady D (00:35):
I like it.
Erin Boogie (00:36):
Oh, why don't you introduce yourself to our
listeners and tell them a littlebit about who Chris Grant is?
Chris Grant (00:41):
So hi everybody, my name is Christopher Grant.
You could also call me ChrisGrant.
Obviously I'm a City ofPoughkeepsie council member for
the sixth ward.
I've been a council membersince January.
Born and raised in the City ofPoughkeepsie, I graduated
Poughkeepsie High School 2005and I went on to college.
I graduated from Buffalo StateCollege and after I got my
(01:04):
bachelor's I came back to theCity of Poughkeepsie.
I've held jobs in finance.
I worked in corrections for afew years until I kind of
decided to do my ownentrepreneur thing.
I started a couple ofnonprofits in the City of
Poughkeepsie.
I've been doing a lot ofcommunity work and that's what
kind of pushed me to go intocity government Entrepreneur.
(01:26):
I had a restaurant for a coupleof years.
It was called the Breakfast Spa.
I was on Main Street.
I'm actually thinking aboutbringing it back.
And yeah, I have a smallbusiness that I run.
It's a marketing business.
I help small businesses withbusiness development and just
help them get into more tractionand stuff like that.
So that's me.
Oh, and I also run the City ofPoughkeepsie Youth Baseball
(01:47):
League.
Lady D (01:48):
Oh my goodness, casually , all these things.
What was growing up inPoughkeepsie like for you?
Chris Grant (01:56):
I think you know how do I explain it.
I guess everybody's experiencegrowing up in Poughkeepsie is
going to be different.
I wouldn't say I had a badexperience in Poughkeepsie.
Obviously we live in a citywhere we have a hood and street
stuff occur, but I was neverreally involved in any of that
(02:17):
stuff so it never really hithome for me because I wasn't in
that group of people.
So I'd say growing up inPoughkeepsie was cool.
I don't think I had a badchildhood.
I don't think that obviouslyfamilies go through things, but
I would say growing up inPoughkeepsie was cool for me.
Lady D (02:35):
So you're a dad.
Chris Grant (02:36):
Yeah, I'm a dad.
Lady D (02:39):
What things concern you the most about your child
growing up?
Chris Grant (02:46):
It's outside influences.
I think that you could do somuch to teach your kids the
right way to live and the rightthings to do, but outside
influences are always going tohave an impact too.
So I think my biggest concernfor him is just sticking with
the values and things that I'mteaching him and just him living
through it and sticking withthat throughout his whole life.
(03:08):
So I think I mean, obviously,education is always a concern
for me.
I want the Poughkeepsie schooldistrict to be the best district
in the state.
I would rather that I grew upin a city Poughkeepsie.
I'm a graduate of the city ofPoughkeepsie and I'd love for my
son to be a graduate of thecity of Poughkeepsie as well.
Erin Boogie (03:28):
Is he in the city of Poughkeepsie school district
now?
Chris Grant (03:31):
He goes to a private school.
Yeah, he goes to a privateschool.
Lady D (03:35):
You know what's interesting?
I think me and Aaron weretalking.
I was like I went to Arlington.
Arlington is a public school.
Poughkeepsie is a public school.
One of them looks like acollege campus.
Chris Grant (03:50):
Resources Arlington has a lot of resources than we
do.
Lady D (03:53):
Yeah.
Erin Boogie (03:54):
I feel like the general consensus in the city of
Poughkeepsie is that the cityof Poughkeepsie school district
struggles right the graduationrate.
Chris Grant (04:02):
I know they've been improving over the past few
years since Dr Roster has beenhere as a superintendent, but
you know, obviously there'salways room for improvement
everywhere.
No matter how great you are,you could always get better.
Erin Boogie (04:13):
So what would you like to see?
Improving the school district?
What would make you want to putyour son in public school?
Chris Grant (04:20):
I'd like to see a push for more hiring and
training of people that are fromthe area A lot of my friends
that I graduated high schoolwith in 2005,.
A lot of them don't live in thecity of Poughkeepsie anymore
and a lot of them are educators,a lot of them are professionals
(04:41):
.
So I'd like to see a systemwhere people want to come back
to Poughkeepsie and teach inPoughkeepsie or be doctors in
Poughkeepsie or you know.
I want it to be like homegrown.
I think that a lot of times wehave a lot of educators who
aren't bad educators, butthey're not familiar with the
(05:01):
demographic that they have toteach, you know, and that's
difficult a lot, you know, andnot everybody can navigate
through that.
So I'd like to see morehomegrown professionals in the
area or in the school districtparticularly.
Lady D (05:14):
What's a typical day like for you as a county
legislator?
Council member Not unlessyou're a county legislator.
Chris Grant (05:23):
Not yet I mean a lot of it is answering phone
calls and responding to emailsand making connections with
different organizations in thecity of Poughkeepsie and even
people in different regions,trying to see what people in
other municipalities are doing,to try and kind of take, you
(05:44):
know, see what they're doing andsee how it works for them and
kind of taking a piece of it andrevamping it for the city of
Poughkeepsie because I thinkit's always important to look
outside and see what otherpeople are doing and then try to
, you know, bring a rendition ofwhatever they're doing into
city of Poughkeepsie.
So it's, it could be anything.
Sometimes I'm responding toneighbors.
They call me to come and lookat the things that they're
(06:07):
complaining, other issues thatthey have.
I could be in a business in asixth ward or I could be at
somebody's house in a sixth ward.
You know it's a lot.
My phone, my phone rings nonstop.
Sometimes I get calls at 4, 30in the morning and you know, and
I think what's a good thing is,um, what I'm hearing a lot from
constituents around my ward andeven other other wards is that
(06:30):
people they like that I respond.
You know they like that.
I'm very responsive.
I might not be able to get toyou right away, but I usually
always respond, so I thinkpeople really like that and and
they enjoy that.
I'm gonna hear, I'm here tolisten and I'm willing to work
with them and, to you know, helpthem find a solution to
whatever problems that they have.
Erin Boogie (06:49):
Can you let our listeners know, because you keep
saying the sixth ward, so forour listeners, can you um
describe what that territoryencompasses for you?
Chris Grant (06:56):
Well, I would say the sixth ward is probably one
of the most unique wards in acity because it has everything.
It has our business district,it has the hood, it has some of
the south side where some of themore prominent and wealthier
people live.
So I think the sixth ward is atrue reflection of the city of
(07:17):
Poughkeepsie, as in totality youknow.
So, um, if I can give you anidea where it runs from, I don't
know how familiar you are withPoughkeepsie, but um, so I have
Academy Street from Montgomerydown to the end of um Catherine
Street and then all the way up.
(07:38):
So then I go all the way upMain Street and then up the
arterial up to like Around wherethe underwear factory is.
I boarder the fifth ward overon that side and then I go all
on this side.
I'm all the way up HookerAvenue up until Cherry Street
and then everything in themiddle.
So Yo.
I got a school in my ward, I gota couple churches in my ward, a
(07:59):
lot of businesses in my ward.
Lady D (08:01):
so my goodness it's a lot.
Chris Grant (08:05):
It's a lot.
Erin Boogie (08:05):
Is that being a council member a good entryway
into politics?
Chris Grant (08:10):
I Think it is.
You know, I think I thinksometimes the politics side of
it can get a little bit carriedaway, especially at this level.
I think that this is probablyone of the the lowest levels of
politics.
You know, local government,city government, and I think
sometimes People get caught upin the whole idea of what
politics is supposed to be like.
(08:31):
And me more, I'm more so about,like I told Devereux earlier
this week, that I'm more soabout how I can help the city of
the kids at a higher capacity.
You know, I don't really care.
I was some, I'm in it now, butI don't really care for the
Politics side of it.
I mean, if I, you know I'mgonna play the game the way it
has to be played.
But you know I I'm more, I'mmore concerned with with helping
(08:55):
the city of the kids, see, andhow I could team up and partner
with other people, otherpoliticians, that that you know,
that had that shared the samevalues, and we just want to want
to make change.
I want to make positive change.
So you know, all the politicsstuff, it is what it is.
You know it's gonna be therebecause this is this is the
field that I'm in now but, likeI said, my focus is more so on
(09:16):
how I can improve the city ofthe kids.
Erin Boogie (09:18):
What are some initiatives that you're working
on?
Chris Grant (09:21):
Um, well, a big thing for me is youth.
You know, and, and I know that,like I said, I run the youth
baseball league.
I've been a part of severalyouth initiatives in the city of
Poughkeepsie.
I think that, and the way I seeit is, if we invest into the
children the right way, thenthat'll change the whole
(09:45):
landscape of Poughkeepsie.
You know, I mean you got tostart at the kids and you got to
start and instill the properjust like I do with my son, it's
sort of proper values and theninvest in them, show them as
many opportunities as you can,you know, just show them that
there's there's life outside ofit, and I think that's how you
change the narrative of the cityof Poughkeepsie.
So I'm real big on investedinto the youth.
Lady D (10:08):
I Love that.
I love that so many people are.
You know they have nonprofits,they're doing stuff for the kids
and everything else.
What about the adults?
Is there, you know, I mean.
That's out here while you knowadults need.
Chris Grant (10:27):
Adults need services too, and I even I was
even in conversations withsomebody about Creating like a
parent support group, you know,like just for just for parents
who we got, parents who workdouble shifts, who are unable to
be home with their kids in theafternoon, and I would like to
see a program created where wehave obviously trustworthy
(10:51):
adults that can kind of besupport, to be of some sort of
support to the parents.
You know, so um, so kids arejust not running wild, and
Because kids need structure, youknow, and that's what it is.
So I want to see more parentssupport groups.
I want to see more um programsfor the elderly.
Lady D (11:11):
Yeah, I guess there are clubs or organizations uh,
either professional orrecreational that you would
recommend To say like I'm 32.
I don't have any kids, you knowwhat I mean.
Chris Grant (11:22):
There's a bunch of, there's a bunch of adults out
there that just they just partyyou know, I mean that's I wish,
I wish I knew, because I kind oflike I'm not, I'm an easy to
please person.
So it's like you know I couldfind something to do Easy, you
know, and something that I enjoydoing easy.
Lady D (11:41):
So I just feel like that's the biggest thing about
people leaving the area.
I feel like you hit like thisceiling you know, I mean like I
started, you know, growing, andthen I was like I gotta get out
of here, there's nothing.
Chris Grant (11:55):
You know, and it's, and it's.
It's funny you say that becauseI always say to people and this
is no, I don't, I mean this asno disrespect, but, um, I wish
that our community sawPoughkeepsie as the white
community saw Poughkeepsie.
We see Poughkeepsie two and twototally different ways, you
know, and I wish we saw it theway they saw it, because there's
(12:18):
a lot of there, there is a lotof opportunity here, you know,
which is why you see all thisdevelopment happening, which is
why you see people moving andmigrating here.
There's stuff here, but I thinkit's presented to our community
in a different way.
So we don't think there's stuffhere, you know.
We don't think.
You think that we always have tolook outside the box when I
think there's a lot that you canget done in Poughkeepsie, for
(12:38):
me, um, I can't be in one placefor too long, so I like to
travel and that's how, like,living in a small town like this
is variable that I'm able toget away sometimes and I could
come back.
So I just wish that, um, we sawPoughkeepsie the same way, like
I wish our community see theopportunities that are here.
(12:59):
But a lot of things are bydesign too, and I, and I say
that a lot too, and I'm notafraid to say that.
You know, a lot of things areby design.
That's just the world.
Lady D (13:09):
So what's the funniest part of your job?
Chris Grant (13:12):
The funniest part of my job People who have so
many problems, or or they wantto tell you how to how to work
or how to do your job, or howthey think you should do your
(13:33):
job, but they never offer up anysolutions.
You know, and I'm always likelisten, what, what do you think
we should do?
I'm like help me, I'm new.
You know, I've only been acounselor for eight months, so
it's like I always tell peoplelike I'm okay, I don't have a
problem with being heldaccountable.
You know, I'm still learning,so I don't have a problem with
(13:54):
being held accountable.
So I'm like all right, Iunderstand we have these issues.
Why don't we try to brainstormtogether on how we could fix
these issues?
You know, don't just tell meall the issues without having
possible solutions.
You know you're looking.
I mean, obviously I'm theperson that holds the seat, sort
of looking for me to make thedecision, but I'm always open to
(14:15):
input.
You know, I want to workcollaboratively with people.
I don't want to just be theperson making the decisions and
then you go.
You all have to deal with it.
You know, I want I always wantinput, which is why I had
several public hearings about Umdifferent things going on
public sessions, about differentthings going on in the sixth
ward.
Because I want people's input,because I don't just want to
make a decision because I thinkit's best for everybody.
(14:37):
I don't know what's the bestfor everybody because I'm not
everybody.
You know what were some of thepublic hearings about um well,
uh, one in particular.
There's a park in in my wardcalled Bartlett Park and, um,
you know, I just from living inPoughkeepsie.
I've seen a lot At times thatthings just happen in
Poughkeepsie and a lot of peopleThink they're happening by
(15:00):
surprise.
But they're never happening bysurprise.
There's always a plan, there'salways conversations about it,
and I just want people to beaware and be able to have their
input.
So you know they're going torenovate that park.
It's right around the cornerfor me.
So I wanted people to haveinput of what type of thing that
they wanted to see in the park.
I didn't just want thedevelopers to come in and say,
hey, we think this will workhere.
(15:21):
I wanted the people to come inand say what they wanted to see
there.
Lady D (15:25):
What's going on?
Chris Grant (15:26):
It's your boy motif alumni and you're now listening
to infield radio with Lady Dand Aaron Boogie on 91.3 WVKR
King.
Lady D (15:36):
All right.
So, in addition to Speakingwith Councilman Christopher
Grant, we got to talk to mayoralcandidate and fifth ward
councilwoman Yvonne flowers.
Yes, we got real political upin here.
Okay, we can be serious.
We can be serious sometimes.
(15:56):
So I went online and I askedthe people on my page you know
what y'all want me to ask heryou, she running from there what
y'all want me to ask her, whatdo y'all want to see change in
pre-kipsey, what do you want?
And People said I mean the samething.
I was concerned withgentrification, more investments
(16:19):
in the youth and resources forpeople who are struggling to pay
rent due to gentrification.
Again, ymca, youth groups.
Stop the luxury developments orgive us more money.
Clean up the kipsey, stopkicking people out.
Mental health resources for thekids.
(16:39):
You know everybody had the sameconcerns.
I even.
When I left the kipsey lastyear it was because rent was
going up and the conditions werenot good in the apartments
cough cough core lease and Ididn't even have to ask her
really about this.
She came out the gate talkingabout the quality of life and
(17:06):
prices of living in pre-kipseyand how that correlates to the
living conditions, and what shesaid was that in order to combat
that.
One of the things really is tomake sure that these places are
up to code.
How are you charging people allof this money for rent and it's
(17:27):
supposed to be affordablehousing and then there's rats
and rodent, roaches and all typeof stuff going on and they're
not fixing it.
Nothing works.
It's dangerous.
So she definitely talked aboutenforcing codes and quality of
living, and she spoke aboutMaking sure that affordable
(17:47):
housing is included indiscussions about development.
When y'all want to develop youknow, luxury condos and and
build more living spaces, thereneeds to be a affordable housing
.
In that conversation, what Ithink was also really important
that she brought up, which Ibrought up to Councilman Grant,
(18:09):
is what about the adults?
She spoke about Programmingthat took children from, you
know, being kids up throughtheir teenagers.
But what about after that?
You know they need to getemployment.
There needs to be Training forthe rest of their lives.
Don't just forget about themonce they turn 18, and I really
(18:30):
love that.
She said that.
That that really touched me, tobe honest.
So, with that being said, I'mgonna play a clip.
I'm gonna let Yvonne flowerstell you herself this is for
everybody that was asking thesequestions on that post.
What do we do about the kids?
What do we would do about theliving situations?
You want to know the answer.
Here's the answer, right here.
(18:54):
Okay so who should we vote forNovember 7?
Yvonne Flowers (18:58):
We should vote for Yvonne Flowers to be mayor
to say to be Kimsey, and no oneelse Yvonne Flowers to be mayor
to say to be Kimsey.
That's what we should be votingfor, without a doubt, and early
voting is all the way up untilNovember 5th.
So we're encouraging people tocome out in early voting because
(19:19):
you know it's from what Iunderstand, the forecast is
supposed to be cold and rainy onNovember 7th.
So sometimes I, sometimes wedon't like to come out, you know
, when it's raining.
So I think it's if you don'twant to go out in that kind of
weather, and then it's good ifpeople come out early to vote.
So they can vote now, right, yesearly voting yeah, it started
(19:42):
on October 28th.
So now it's yeah, it's October28th, up until November 5th, and
so there's different locationsyou can vote at.
If you go on the Duchess CountyBoard of Election website,
it'll give you all the location,and if you're in the city of
Ekebsie, there's two locationson Borman Road the library on
(20:03):
Borman Road and also Mid HudsonLibrary that's on Market Street.
Lady D (20:07):
What is the funniest part of your job?
Like what just tickles you.
Yvonne Flowers (20:12):
The funniest part of my job I don't know what
tickles me, I guess is the kidsworking with the kids.
You know we do a basketballprogram with the kids and even
during the summer I've seen alot of kids kind of step up and
want to do some programming andsome youth programs and it's
(20:33):
just just seeing the excitementin their face.
And then sometimes they'll comeup to me and I'm a city council
member, but they'll look at meand like I'm almost like the
president, like oh, oh, you know, I'm like no honey.
I said I'm a city councilmember, you know.
And then when you get to talkwith them and realize that they
can do this also, you know theyseem amused.
(20:54):
Like really, I thought you hadto go to college for like 15
years, as one boy said it.
I'm like no honey, you just gotto graduate from my high school
and be registered to vote yeahand have a passion to make a
difference and you can do thisjob, yeah so it was cute.
Yeah, it was really cute.
So that's the thing I kind oflaugh at sometimes.
Lady D (21:17):
Is there anything else you want the people to know?
Yvonne Flowers (21:21):
Just want to know that.
You know it's very importantthat we go out to vote In the
city of Bikipsi.
Unfortunately, we have lowvoter turnout.
I mean, that's happenedthroughout the years and we seem
like we have to fight harder toget people to come out.
And I tell people, if you comeout to vote, that also elevates
the voice in the city of Bikipsiby coming out in numbers.
(21:42):
So no matter who you decide tovote for but of course I'm going
to tell you to vote for YvonneFlowers but really want everyone
to come out to vote for thiselection so we can show everyone
on the state, the federal andcounty level that Bikipsi has a
voice, a strong voice in thecity of Bikipsi, you know,
because that also helps us whenit comes to moving forward and
(22:02):
getting the resources that weneed.
They're going to pay attentionto the Bikipsi and I'm going to
make sure they pay attention asmayor.
But it would be nice to makesure that I have a nice group of
people, a large group, in thecity of Bikipsi.
That's also, you know, sayingyou need to watch us because
we're here and we're going tomake you accountable.
Lady D (22:21):
I love it.
Thank you so much for takingthe time out to sit with us.
Yvonne Flowers (22:26):
You're welcome.
You're so welcome, but thankyou for reaching out and asking
me to join and doing it by Zoom.
That works out well.
Lady D (22:36):
Welcome back to In the Field Radio.
You know what I'm about to do.
Make sure you follow In theField Radio.
Write to me, tell me what youthink.
Do song requests?
You know what I'm saying?
Talk to me, do shout outs.
If you write to me in the DMs,I'm going to read it and I'm
going to do what you tell me todo.
Boss me around.
I like that stuff.
(22:57):
Add In the Field Radio oneverything.
All right, I'm about to get outof here.
Big thank you and I love you toanybody that's rocking with us.
All our loyal listeners Loveyou guys.
Thanks for chilling with thosechicks on Mondays In the Field
Radio 91.3 FM, wvkr Prokipsy.
(23:19):
Have a good night.
The segment of In the Field Radio is brought to
you by the Village GlobalNetwork, airing on Culture Shock
Radio, versaio, rockbox FM andWaptor Music FM.
Lady D (00:12):
It's In the Field Radio y'all.
Everything's real in the fieldOn 91.3 FM WVKR.
Erin Boogie (00:22):
Welcome back to In the Field Radio.
I'm Erin Boogie.
I'm here with Miss Lady D.
Lady D (00:26):
What's going on?
Erin Boogie (00:27):
And we have birthday boy Chris Grant in the
building.
Chris Grant (00:30):
Hi everybody.
Erin Boogie (00:31):
In the virtual building.
Chris Grant (00:33):
In the virtual building.
Lady D (00:35):
I like it.
Erin Boogie (00:36):
Oh, why don't you introduce yourself to our
listeners and tell them a littlebit about who Chris Grant is?
Chris Grant (00:41):
So hi everybody, my name is Christopher Grant.
You could also call me ChrisGrant.
Obviously I'm a City ofPoughkeepsie council member for
the sixth ward.
I've been a council membersince January.
Born and raised in the City ofPoughkeepsie, I graduated
Poughkeepsie High School 2005and I went on to college.
I graduated from Buffalo StateCollege and after I got my
(01:04):
bachelor's I came back to theCity of Poughkeepsie.
I've held jobs in finance.
I worked in corrections for afew years until I kind of
decided to do my ownentrepreneur thing.
I started a couple ofnonprofits in the City of
Poughkeepsie.
I've been doing a lot ofcommunity work and that's what
kind of pushed me to go intocity government Entrepreneur.
(01:26):
I had a restaurant for a coupleof years.
It was called the Breakfast Spa.
I was on Main Street.
I'm actually thinking aboutbringing it back.
And yeah, I have a smallbusiness that I run.
It's a marketing business.
I help small businesses withbusiness development and just
help them get into more tractionand stuff like that.
So that's me.
Oh, and I also run the City ofPoughkeepsie Youth Baseball
(01:47):
League.
Lady D (01:48):
Oh my goodness, casually , all these things.
What was growing up inPoughkeepsie like for you?
Chris Grant (01:56):
I think you know how do I explain it.
I guess everybody's experiencegrowing up in Poughkeepsie is
going to be different.
I wouldn't say I had a badexperience in Poughkeepsie.
Obviously we live in a citywhere we have a hood and street
stuff occur, but I was neverreally involved in any of that
(02:17):
stuff so it never really hithome for me because I wasn't in
that group of people.
So I'd say growing up inPoughkeepsie was cool.
I don't think I had a badchildhood.
I don't think that obviouslyfamilies go through things, but
I would say growing up inPoughkeepsie was cool for me.
Lady D (02:35):
So you're a dad.
Chris Grant (02:36):
Yeah, I'm a dad.
Lady D (02:39):
What things concern you the most about your child
growing up?
Chris Grant (02:46):
It's outside influences.
I think that you could do somuch to teach your kids the
right way to live and the rightthings to do, but outside
influences are always going tohave an impact too.
So I think my biggest concernfor him is just sticking with
the values and things that I'mteaching him and just him living
through it and sticking withthat throughout his whole life.
(03:08):
So I think I mean, obviously,education is always a concern
for me.
I want the Poughkeepsie schooldistrict to be the best district
in the state.
I would rather that I grew upin a city Poughkeepsie.
I'm a graduate of the city ofPoughkeepsie and I'd love for my
son to be a graduate of thecity of Poughkeepsie as well.
Erin Boogie (03:28):
Is he in the city of Poughkeepsie school district
now?
Chris Grant (03:31):
He goes to a private school.
Yeah, he goes to a privateschool.
Lady D (03:35):
You know what's interesting?
I think me and Aaron weretalking.
I was like I went to Arlington.
Arlington is a public school.
Poughkeepsie is a public school.
One of them looks like acollege campus.
Chris Grant (03:50):
Resources Arlington has a lot of resources than we
do.
Lady D (03:53):
Yeah.
Erin Boogie (03:54):
I feel like the general consensus in the city of
Poughkeepsie is that the cityof Poughkeepsie school district
struggles right the graduationrate.
Chris Grant (04:02):
I know they've been improving over the past few
years since Dr Roster has beenhere as a superintendent, but
you know, obviously there'salways room for improvement
everywhere.
No matter how great you are,you could always get better.
Erin Boogie (04:13):
So what would you like to see?
Improving the school district?
What would make you want to putyour son in public school?
Chris Grant (04:20):
I'd like to see a push for more hiring and
training of people that are fromthe area A lot of my friends
that I graduated high schoolwith in 2005,.
A lot of them don't live in thecity of Poughkeepsie anymore
and a lot of them are educators,a lot of them are professionals
(04:41):
.
So I'd like to see a systemwhere people want to come back
to Poughkeepsie and teach inPoughkeepsie or be doctors in
Poughkeepsie or you know.
I want it to be like homegrown.
I think that a lot of times wehave a lot of educators who
aren't bad educators, butthey're not familiar with the
(05:01):
demographic that they have toteach, you know, and that's
difficult a lot, you know, andnot everybody can navigate
through that.
So I'd like to see morehomegrown professionals in the
area or in the school districtparticularly.
Lady D (05:14):
What's a typical day like for you as a county
legislator?
Council member Not unlessyou're a county legislator.
Chris Grant (05:23):
Not yet I mean a lot of it is answering phone
calls and responding to emailsand making connections with
different organizations in thecity of Poughkeepsie and even
people in different regions,trying to see what people in
other municipalities are doing,to try and kind of take, you
(05:44):
know, see what they're doing andsee how it works for them and
kind of taking a piece of it andrevamping it for the city of
Poughkeepsie because I thinkit's always important to look
outside and see what otherpeople are doing and then try to
, you know, bring a rendition ofwhatever they're doing into
city of Poughkeepsie.
So it's, it could be anything.
Sometimes I'm responding toneighbors.
They call me to come and lookat the things that they're
(06:07):
complaining, other issues thatthey have.
I could be in a business in asixth ward or I could be at
somebody's house in a sixth ward.
You know it's a lot.
My phone, my phone rings nonstop.
Sometimes I get calls at 4, 30in the morning and you know, and
I think what's a good thing is,um, what I'm hearing a lot from
constituents around my ward andeven other other wards is that
(06:30):
people they like that I respond.
You know they like that.
I'm very responsive.
I might not be able to get toyou right away, but I usually
always respond, so I thinkpeople really like that and and
they enjoy that.
I'm gonna hear, I'm here tolisten and I'm willing to work
with them and, to you know, helpthem find a solution to
whatever problems that they have.
Erin Boogie (06:49):
Can you let our listeners know, because you keep
saying the sixth ward, so forour listeners, can you um
describe what that territoryencompasses for you?
Chris Grant (06:56):
Well, I would say the sixth ward is probably one
of the most unique wards in acity because it has everything.
It has our business district,it has the hood, it has some of
the south side where some of themore prominent and wealthier
people live.
So I think the sixth ward is atrue reflection of the city of
(07:17):
Poughkeepsie, as in totality youknow.
So, um, if I can give you anidea where it runs from, I don't
know how familiar you are withPoughkeepsie, but um, so I have
Academy Street from Montgomerydown to the end of um Catherine
Street and then all the way up.
(07:38):
So then I go all the way upMain Street and then up the
arterial up to like Around wherethe underwear factory is.
I boarder the fifth ward overon that side and then I go all
on this side.
I'm all the way up HookerAvenue up until Cherry Street
and then everything in themiddle.
So Yo.
I got a school in my ward, I gota couple churches in my ward, a
(07:59):
lot of businesses in my ward.
Lady D (08:01):
so my goodness it's a lot.
Chris Grant (08:05):
It's a lot.
Erin Boogie (08:05):
Is that being a council member a good entryway
into politics?
Chris Grant (08:10):
I Think it is.
You know, I think I thinksometimes the politics side of
it can get a little bit carriedaway, especially at this level.
I think that this is probablyone of the the lowest levels of
politics.
You know, local government,city government, and I think
sometimes People get caught upin the whole idea of what
politics is supposed to be like.
(08:31):
And me more, I'm more so about,like I told Devereux earlier
this week, that I'm more soabout how I can help the city of
the kids at a higher capacity.
You know, I don't really care.
I was some, I'm in it now, butI don't really care for the
Politics side of it.
I mean, if I, you know I'mgonna play the game the way it
has to be played.
But you know I I'm more, I'mmore concerned with with helping
(08:55):
the city of the kids, see, andhow I could team up and partner
with other people, otherpoliticians, that that you know,
that had that shared the samevalues, and we just want to want
to make change.
I want to make positive change.
So you know, all the politicsstuff, it is what it is.
You know it's gonna be therebecause this is this is the
field that I'm in now but, likeI said, my focus is more so on
(09:16):
how I can improve the city ofthe kids.
Erin Boogie (09:18):
What are some initiatives that you're working
on?
Chris Grant (09:21):
Um, well, a big thing for me is youth.
You know, and, and I know that,like I said, I run the youth
baseball league.
I've been a part of severalyouth initiatives in the city of
Poughkeepsie.
I think that, and the way I seeit is, if we invest into the
children the right way, thenthat'll change the whole
(09:45):
landscape of Poughkeepsie.
You know, I mean you got tostart at the kids and you got to
start and instill the properjust like I do with my son, it's
sort of proper values and theninvest in them, show them as
many opportunities as you can,you know, just show them that
there's there's life outside ofit, and I think that's how you
change the narrative of the cityof Poughkeepsie.
So I'm real big on investedinto the youth.
Lady D (10:08):
I Love that.
I love that so many people are.
You know they have nonprofits,they're doing stuff for the kids
and everything else.
What about the adults?
Is there, you know, I mean.
That's out here while you knowadults need.
Chris Grant (10:27):
Adults need services too, and I even I was
even in conversations withsomebody about Creating like a
parent support group, you know,like just for just for parents
who we got, parents who workdouble shifts, who are unable to
be home with their kids in theafternoon, and I would like to
see a program created where wehave obviously trustworthy
(10:51):
adults that can kind of besupport, to be of some sort of
support to the parents.
You know, so um, so kids arejust not running wild, and
Because kids need structure, youknow, and that's what it is.
So I want to see more parentssupport groups.
I want to see more um programsfor the elderly.
Lady D (11:11):
Yeah, I guess there are clubs or organizations uh,
either professional orrecreational that you would
recommend To say like I'm 32.
I don't have any kids, you knowwhat I mean.
Chris Grant (11:22):
There's a bunch of, there's a bunch of adults out
there that just they just partyyou know, I mean that's I wish,
I wish I knew, because I kind oflike I'm not, I'm an easy to
please person.
So it's like you know I couldfind something to do Easy, you
know, and something that I enjoydoing easy.
Lady D (11:41):
So I just feel like that's the biggest thing about
people leaving the area.
I feel like you hit like thisceiling you know, I mean like I
started, you know, growing, andthen I was like I gotta get out
of here, there's nothing.
Chris Grant (11:55):
You know, and it's, and it's.
It's funny you say that becauseI always say to people and this
is no, I don't, I mean this asno disrespect, but, um, I wish
that our community sawPoughkeepsie as the white
community saw Poughkeepsie.
We see Poughkeepsie two and twototally different ways, you
know, and I wish we saw it theway they saw it, because there's
(12:18):
a lot of there, there is a lotof opportunity here, you know,
which is why you see all thisdevelopment happening, which is
why you see people moving andmigrating here.
There's stuff here, but I thinkit's presented to our community
in a different way.
So we don't think there's stuffhere, you know.
We don't think.
You think that we always have tolook outside the box when I
think there's a lot that you canget done in Poughkeepsie, for
(12:38):
me, um, I can't be in one placefor too long, so I like to
travel and that's how, like,living in a small town like this
is variable that I'm able toget away sometimes and I could
come back.
So I just wish that, um, we sawPoughkeepsie the same way, like
I wish our community see theopportunities that are here.
(12:59):
But a lot of things are bydesign too, and I, and I say
that a lot too, and I'm notafraid to say that.
You know, a lot of things areby design.
That's just the world.
Lady D (13:09):
So what's the funniest part of your job?
Chris Grant (13:12):
The funniest part of my job People who have so
many problems, or or they wantto tell you how to how to work
or how to do your job, or howthey think you should do your
(13:33):
job, but they never offer up anysolutions.
You know, and I'm always likelisten, what, what do you think
we should do?
I'm like help me, I'm new.
You know, I've only been acounselor for eight months, so
it's like I always tell peoplelike I'm okay, I don't have a
problem with being heldaccountable.
You know, I'm still learning,so I don't have a problem with
(13:54):
being held accountable.
So I'm like all right, Iunderstand we have these issues.
Why don't we try to brainstormtogether on how we could fix
these issues?
You know, don't just tell meall the issues without having
possible solutions.
You know you're looking.
I mean, obviously I'm theperson that holds the seat, sort
of looking for me to make thedecision, but I'm always open to
(14:15):
input.
You know, I want to workcollaboratively with people.
I don't want to just be theperson making the decisions and
then you go.
You all have to deal with it.
You know, I want I always wantinput, which is why I had
several public hearings about Umdifferent things going on
public sessions, about differentthings going on in the sixth
ward.
Because I want people's input,because I don't just want to
make a decision because I thinkit's best for everybody.
(14:37):
I don't know what's the bestfor everybody because I'm not
everybody.
You know what were some of thepublic hearings about um well,
uh, one in particular.
There's a park in in my wardcalled Bartlett Park and, um,
you know, I just from living inPoughkeepsie.
I've seen a lot At times thatthings just happen in
Poughkeepsie and a lot of peopleThink they're happening by
(15:00):
surprise.
But they're never happening bysurprise.
There's always a plan, there'salways conversations about it,
and I just want people to beaware and be able to have their
input.
So you know they're going torenovate that park.
It's right around the cornerfor me.
So I wanted people to haveinput of what type of thing that
they wanted to see in the park.
I didn't just want thedevelopers to come in and say,
hey, we think this will workhere.
(15:21):
I wanted the people to come inand say what they wanted to see
there.
Lady D (15:25):
What's going on?
Chris Grant (15:26):
It's your boy motif alumni and you're now listening
to infield radio with Lady Dand Aaron Boogie on 91.3 WVKR
King.
Lady D (15:36):
All right.
So, in addition to Speakingwith Councilman Christopher
Grant, we got to talk to mayoralcandidate and fifth ward
councilwoman Yvonne flowers.
Yes, we got real political upin here.
Okay, we can be serious.
We can be serious sometimes.
(15:56):
So I went online and I askedthe people on my page you know
what y'all want me to ask heryou, she running from there what
y'all want me to ask her, whatdo y'all want to see change in
pre-kipsey, what do you want?
And People said I mean the samething.
I was concerned withgentrification, more investments
(16:19):
in the youth and resources forpeople who are struggling to pay
rent due to gentrification.
Again, ymca, youth groups.
Stop the luxury developments orgive us more money.
Clean up the kipsey, stopkicking people out.
Mental health resources for thekids.
(16:39):
You know everybody had the sameconcerns.
I even.
When I left the kipsey lastyear it was because rent was
going up and the conditions werenot good in the apartments
cough cough core lease and Ididn't even have to ask her
really about this.
She came out the gate talkingabout the quality of life and
(17:06):
prices of living in pre-kipseyand how that correlates to the
living conditions, and what shesaid was that in order to combat
that.
One of the things really is tomake sure that these places are
up to code.
How are you charging people allof this money for rent and it's
(17:27):
supposed to be affordablehousing and then there's rats
and rodent, roaches and all typeof stuff going on and they're
not fixing it.
Nothing works.
It's dangerous.
So she definitely talked aboutenforcing codes and quality of
living, and she spoke aboutMaking sure that affordable
(17:47):
housing is included indiscussions about development.
When y'all want to develop youknow, luxury condos and and
build more living spaces, thereneeds to be a affordable housing
.
In that conversation, what Ithink was also really important
that she brought up, which Ibrought up to Councilman Grant,
(18:09):
is what about the adults?
She spoke about Programmingthat took children from, you
know, being kids up throughtheir teenagers.
But what about after that?
You know they need to getemployment.
There needs to be Training forthe rest of their lives.
Don't just forget about themonce they turn 18, and I really
(18:30):
love that.
She said that.
That that really touched me, tobe honest.
So, with that being said, I'mgonna play a clip.
I'm gonna let Yvonne flowerstell you herself this is for
everybody that was asking thesequestions on that post.
What do we do about the kids?
What do we would do about theliving situations?
You want to know the answer.
Here's the answer, right here.
(18:54):
Okay so who should we vote forNovember 7?
Yvonne Flowers (18:58):
We should vote for Yvonne Flowers to be mayor
to say to be Kimsey, and no oneelse Yvonne Flowers to be mayor
to say to be Kimsey.
That's what we should be votingfor, without a doubt, and early
voting is all the way up untilNovember 5th.
So we're encouraging people tocome out in early voting because
(19:19):
you know it's from what Iunderstand, the forecast is
supposed to be cold and rainy onNovember 7th.
So sometimes I, sometimes wedon't like to come out, you know
, when it's raining.
So I think it's if you don'twant to go out in that kind of
weather, and then it's good ifpeople come out early to vote.
So they can vote now, right, yesearly voting yeah, it started
(19:42):
on October 28th.
So now it's yeah, it's October28th, up until November 5th, and
so there's different locationsyou can vote at.
If you go on the Duchess CountyBoard of Election website,
it'll give you all the location,and if you're in the city of
Ekebsie, there's two locationson Borman Road the library on
(20:03):
Borman Road and also Mid HudsonLibrary that's on Market Street.
Lady D (20:07):
What is the funniest part of your job?
Like what just tickles you.
Yvonne Flowers (20:12):
The funniest part of my job I don't know what
tickles me, I guess is the kidsworking with the kids.
You know we do a basketballprogram with the kids and even
during the summer I've seen alot of kids kind of step up and
want to do some programming andsome youth programs and it's
(20:33):
just just seeing the excitementin their face.
And then sometimes they'll comeup to me and I'm a city council
member, but they'll look at meand like I'm almost like the
president, like oh, oh, you know, I'm like no honey.
I said I'm a city councilmember, you know.
And then when you get to talkwith them and realize that they
can do this also, you know theyseem amused.
(20:54):
Like really, I thought you hadto go to college for like 15
years, as one boy said it.
I'm like no honey, you just gotto graduate from my high school
and be registered to vote yeahand have a passion to make a
difference and you can do thisjob, yeah so it was cute.
Yeah, it was really cute.
So that's the thing I kind oflaugh at sometimes.
Lady D (21:17):
Is there anything else you want the people to know?
Yvonne Flowers (21:21):
Just want to know that.
You know it's very importantthat we go out to vote In the
city of Bikipsi.
Unfortunately, we have lowvoter turnout.
I mean, that's happenedthroughout the years and we seem
like we have to fight harder toget people to come out.
And I tell people, if you comeout to vote, that also elevates
the voice in the city of Bikipsiby coming out in numbers.
(21:42):
So no matter who you decide tovote for but of course I'm going
to tell you to vote for YvonneFlowers but really want everyone
to come out to vote for thiselection so we can show everyone
on the state, the federal andcounty level that Bikipsi has a
voice, a strong voice in thecity of Bikipsi, you know,
because that also helps us whenit comes to moving forward and
(22:02):
getting the resources that weneed.
They're going to pay attentionto the Bikipsi and I'm going to
make sure they pay attention asmayor.
But it would be nice to makesure that I have a nice group of
people, a large group, in thecity of Bikipsi.
That's also, you know, sayingyou need to watch us because
we're here and we're going tomake you accountable.
Lady D (22:21):
I love it.
Thank you so much for takingthe time out to sit with us.
Yvonne Flowers (22:26):
You're welcome.
You're so welcome, but thankyou for reaching out and asking
me to join and doing it by Zoom.
That works out well.
Lady D (22:36):
Welcome back to In the Field Radio.
You know what I'm about to do.
Make sure you follow In theField Radio.
Write to me, tell me what youthink.
Do song requests?
You know what I'm saying?
Talk to me, do shout outs.
If you write to me in the DMs,I'm going to read it and I'm
going to do what you tell me todo.
Boss me around.
I like that stuff.
(22:57):
Add In the Field Radio oneverything.
All right, I'm about to get outof here.
Big thank you and I love you toanybody that's rocking with us.
All our loyal listeners Loveyou guys.
Thanks for chilling with thosechicks on Mondays In the Field
Radio 91.3 FM, wvkr Prokipsy.
(23:19):
Have a good night.
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