♪ ABDALLAH: I'’M ABDALLAH FAYYAD, IN FOR ADAM REILLY.

TONIGHT ON "TALKING POLITICS,"” WITH ELECTION DAY JUST A MONTH AWAY, WE'’LL DIG INTO SOME OF THE KEY RACES TO WATCH IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR BOSTON CITY COUNCIL.

WE'’LL START WITH DISTRICT 5, AND THE CANDIDATES RUNNING TO REPLACE RICARDO ARROYO.

BUT FIRST, IT'’S BEEN A FRUSTRATING COUPLE OF WEEKS OF NATIONAL POLITICS.

THERE WAS YET ANOTHER BUDGET STALEMATE THAT BROUGHT US TO THE BRINK OF A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN -- A LAST-MINUTE TEMPORARY AGREEMENT, THAT ONLY HOLDS OFF THE CHAOS FOR ANOTHER MONTH.

AND THEN THE MIND-BOGGLING LEADERSHIP FIGHT, IN WHICH A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANS OUSTED THE REPUBLICAN SPEAKER FOR DEALING WITH DEMOCRATS TO AVERT THE SHUTDOWN.

THAT'’S NOT TO MENTION - ONE OF THE FIRST MOVES THE INTERIM SPEAKER MADE WITH HIS LIMITED NEW AUTHORITY - WAS TO KICK FORMER SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI OUT OF HER CAPITOL OFFICE.

THIS IS JUST THE LATEST IN A DECADES-LONG SAGA OF EXTREME DYSFUNCTION IN WASHINGTON.. AND IF IT ALL MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WANT TO LIE DOWN AND TAKE A NAP --YOU'’RE NOT ALONE.

A RECENT POLL BY THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOUND THAT NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF THE COUNTRY ALWAYS OR OFTEN FEEL EXHAUSTED WHEN THINKING ABOUT POLITICS.

AFTER THEY PRESENTED THE SURVEY, PEW RESEARCHERS TEAMED UP WITH THE EDWARD M KENNEDY INSTITUTE FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE Â"” TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO SALVAGE AMERICANS'’ FAITH IN GOVERNMENT.

I'’M JOINED NOW BY THE CEO OF THE INSTITUTE, ADAM HINDS AND LINDA TIME DORCENA FORRY, A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THEY'’RE BOTH FORMER MASSACHUSETTS STATE SENATORS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

SENATOR HEINZ, I WANTED TO START WITH YOU.

IF YOU COULD ZOOM OUT AND GIVE US THE BIG PICTURE.

HOW DID WE GET TO THIS MEAT WHERE AMERICANS HAVE SO MUCH DISTRUST IN GOVERNMENT?

>> I GUESS IT WAS NOT SURPRISING BUT VERY CONCERNING.

I THINK WE HAVE SEEN THAT AMERICANS ARE MORE POLARIZED AND THAT IS ONE WHERE WE NEED TO LIFT UP THE HOOD AND SAY, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

THE DATA STARTS IN 2007 WHERE YOU SEE THE NEGATIVE USE OF BOTH PARTIES.

THE NEGATIVE OUTCOMES WERE FAR EXCEEDING FAVORABLE VIEWS.

WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY IS THAT HAPPENING?

THE RESEARCH OFTEN HAS BEEN GOOD AT IDENTIFYING SOME OF THE DRIVERS OF GROUP BEHAVIOR.

I THINK WHAT IS SHIFTING IS RECOGNIZING HOW POLITICS USE THE DIVISIONS FOR THEIR OWN POLITICAL GAIN AND THAT IS A REAL RED FLAG.

ABDULLAH: LET ME ASK ABOUT THAT INFLECTION POINT IN 2007 WHEN YOU SAW THE DIVERSIONS IN THE PARTIES.

THEN YOU SAW A DEEPLY POPULAR PRESIDENT ON HIS WAY OUT AND A POPULAR AND ENERGETIC CAMPAIGN FOR CHANGE INAUGURATED IN 2000 NINE.

WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS ELECTED.

GIVEN THE HOPE THAT WAS THERE, WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT FIRST TERM THAT MADE IT THE INFLECTION POINT AND THEN IT DID NOT REVERSE COURSE?

>> THE WORD "HOPE" WAS USED IN THE FINDINGS AND 10% OF AMERICANS HAVE HOPE IN OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM AND 4% ARE EXCITED ABOUT POLITICS.

PRETTY DIRE.

THE TIMEFRAME SPEAKS TO SOME OF THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED DRIVERS TO DIVISION AMONG GROUPS.

ECONOMIC SHOCKS.

UNCERTAINTY.

RACIAL RESENTMENT.

GEOGRAPHICAL SORTING.

YOU SEE EACH OF THOSE ELEVATED IN THAT TIMEFRAME.

ABDULLAH: WHAT DO YOU THINK WAS THE DRIVER?

>> I WOULD SAY THE DRIVER WAS OBVIOUSLY THAT HOPE IS STILL HERE.

EVEN THOUGH THIS REPORT IS DIRE AND DISTURBING AND A LITTLE DEPRESSING.

BUT I DO THINK WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA COMING IN, GOES BACK TO THE LEADERSHIP AND THE PEOPLE WE HAVE IN THESE POSITIONS.

IF YOU REMEMBER AND RECALL, THERE WAS A NEGATIVE UNDERTONE IN TERMS OF -- AND YOU DON'’T WANT TO LIFT UP THE PARTIES BUT THERE WAS AN UNDERTOW THAT THIS GENTLEMAN IS NOT AMERICAN IF WE TAKE IT ALL THE WAY BACK.

I WAS STILL THE SENTIMENT HAPPENING WITHIN CONGRESS AND IN TERMS OF THE LEGISLATIVE WHERE FOLKS IN LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, AND NOT TO MAKE IT REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, BUT THAT WAS ONE OF THE FOCUSES.

WE WILL NOT LET THIS GENTLEMAN GET REELECTED.

IT WAS REALLY DRIVING THE DIVISION AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THAT DIVISION IN OUR COUNTRY.

BEING PART OF THE INSTITUTE AND HAVING PRESIDENT HEINZ AND THE AMAZING WORK BY FOCUSING ON CIVICS, WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE BASICS AND GETTING THE ELECTORATE EDUCATED AND PARTICIPATING AND ENGAGING IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

ABDULLAH: IT WAS OBAMA'’S SUCCESSOR THAT DROVE THAT LINE THAT HE WAS NOT EVEN BORN IN THE COUNTRY.

I WANT TO ASK YOU, ONE THING THE SURVEY SHOWED IS THAT THERE IS A SHARP DISCONNECT BETWEEN VOTER TURNOUT AND THE DISTRUST AND THE DISTRUST IN GOVERNMENT.

THE LAST THREE ELECTIONS HAD SOME OF THE HIGHEST TURNOUT COMPARED TO PREVIOUS ELECTIONS.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE DISCONNECT?

YOU WOULD THINK PEOPLE -- YOU WOULD THINK THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE A DISTRUST IN GOVERNMENT THAT THEY WOULD NOT TURN OUT.

>> THERE IS RECORD TURNOUT BUT WE KNOW THE EXPERIENCE AROUND SELF-GOVERNANCE HAS TO BE FOCUSED AROUND AND EDUCATED ELECTORATE THAT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS THE NEWS AND BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IS TAKING PLACE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND NOT JUST LOCALLY BUT ALSO FEDERALLY.

I THINK THIS REPORT, ONE OF THE PIECES THAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING AND IT DID NOT REALLY TOUCH ON THIS, THE PEW HAS DONE RESEARCH AROUND THE NEWS AND THE MEDIA BUT SINCE 2005 OVER 2200 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS HAVE SHUDDERED THEIR DOORS NATIONALLY AND THOSE THAT A BEEN CAPTURED BY CORPORATE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN STRIPPED OF THEIR BARE-BONES.

20% OF AMERICANS LIVE IN NEWS DESERTS AND THEY DON'’T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING LOCALLY WITH THE TEACHERS AND THE FIREFIGHTERS.

WE HAVE TO WORK ON GOING BACK TO BASICS AND EDUCATING THE MASSES.

I THINK THIS IS THE WORK THAT THE INSTITUTE HAS BEEN TRYING TO DO.

NOT JUST FOCUSING ON OLDER ADULTS BUT THE YOUNG PEOPLE AS WELL.

ABDULLAH: DO YOU THINK THE DISCONNECT MIGHT BE EXPLAINED BY PEOPLE BEING DRIVEN BY FEAR?

ARE THE VOTERS BEING DRIVEN BY FEAR AS OPPOSED TO HOPE IN THE INSTITUTIONS?

>> THE DISCONNECT -- THERE WAS A POLL THAT SHOWED IF YOU ARE OVER 50 YOU ARE MORE LIKELY DO THINK THAT YOUR VOTE MATTERS AND CAN IMPACT THE GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS.

IF YOU ARE UNDER 50, THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO BELIEVE THAT WHICH IS ANOTHER GENERATIONAL CONCERN.

I THINK THE BOTTOM LINE IS LEADERSHIP MATTERS.

AND SO, THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN YOU SEE POLARIZATION AS A POLITICAL STRATEGY, PEOPLE WHO LOOK TO POLITICAL LEADERS AS THE HEAD OF THEIR GROUP.

SO THEY DEFINE WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR.

THEY DEFINE HOW YOU ENGAGE WITH SOMEONE YOU DISAGREE WITH.

PART OF OUR WORK AT THE INSTITUTE IS TO BRING TO SITTING SENATORS FOR A NATIONAL AUDIENCE, WE DID THIS TWO WEEKS AGO WITH MARCO RUBIO AND CHRIS COONS, AND ALLOW THEM TO ESSENTIALLY SAY, LOOK, WE NEED TO LOCK ARMS AND UNDER THE DEMOCRATIC NORMS AND INSTITUTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY IF WE ARE GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS DIVISION.

ABDULLAH: I WANT TO STOP YOU BECAUSE WE HAVE A CLIP OF THAT COULD WE ROLL THAT?

>> WE HAVE SEEN IN OUR 13 YEARS IN THE SENATE TOGETHER HOW FREQUENTLY WE ARE VOTING, HOW FREQUENTLY WE HAVE REGULAR ORDER, HOW FREQUENTLY WE MEANINGFULLY LEGISLATE.

OUR SENATE FLOOR IS EMPTY AND SILENT MOST OF THE TIME.

>> WHEN THE LEVEL OF POLARIZATION PARALYZES YOU MAKING YOU INCAPABLE OF CONFRONTING SERIOUS CHALLENGES THAN YOU HAVE A BIG PROBLEM.

IT IS NOT THE NASTINESS THAT IS THE PROBLEM ULTIMATELY.

ABDULLAH: YOU WERE A LEGISLATOR.

HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM OF PEOPLE NOT WILLING TO COME TOGETHER AND REACH OUT ACROSS THE AISLE?

>> GREAT QUESTION, RIGHT?

WE WERE SENATORS TOGETHER.

AND WE DID WORK THAT WAY.

AND I THINK, AS YOU THINK OF BEING FROM BOSTON OR MASSACHUSETTS, WITH OUR ROOTS, WE THINK OF LEADERS LIKE THE INSTITUTE'’S NAMESAKE, SENATOR TED KENNEDY.

AND YOU REMEMBER HIS ABILITY OF THE BIPARTISANSHIP RELATIONSHIPS HE ENJOYED.

AND THAT WAS IMPORTANT IN HOW WE GOVERN.

IT IS HOW YOU BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO THE TABLE WITH DIFFERENT VIEWS AND RECOGNIZE THE ARCH OF COMPROMISE.

IT IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIP BUILDING.

THAT IS A MODEL THAT WE HAVE TO WORK TO GET BACK TO.

IT COMES TO HAVING CONVERSATIONS AND DIALOGUE.

AND REALLY CREATING A SPACE AND A PLACE WHERE THAT CAN HAPPEN.

AND BEING A TRUSTEE OF THE INSTITUTE AND WE WERE LAST NIGHT -- WE HAD THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT THE PEW RESEARCH AND LEADER DASCHLE, ALSO A TRUSTEE WAS ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS FORMED ON THE OTHER SITE.

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND HAVE SUPER MAJORITY AS DEMOCRATS AND YOU CAN COUNT REPUBLICANS ON 10 HANDS, YOU STILL CREATE CAMARADERIE RECOGNIZING WE NEED EACH OTHER AND UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES THAT IMPACT ONE PERSON OR COMMUNITY IMPACTS OTHERS AS WELL.

ABDULLAH: WE ARE OUT OF TIME BUT THAT IS A GREAT POINT.

THANK YOU TO YOU BOTH FOR JOINING ME AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

NEXT UP -- FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY, MULTIPLE INCUMBENTS WERE DEFEATED IN THE PRELIMINARY ELECTIONS FOR BOSTON CITY COUNCIL.

THAT INCLUDES RICARDO ARROYO, WHO LOST HIS 5TH DISTRICT SEAT, REPRESENTING ROSLINDALE, HYDE PARK AND PARTS OF MATTAPAN.

NEXT MONTH, ENRIQUE PEPEN WILL GO HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH JOSE RUIZ FOR THE JOB.

ENRIQUE IS THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES FOR BOSTON MAYOR MICHELLE WU.

THANKS FOR JOINING ME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

ABDULLAH: CAN YOU GIVE OUR VIEWERS OR TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF?

>> I AM A SON OF IMMIGRANTS THAT DECIDED TO COME TO BOSTON TO START A HOME HERE.

MY SENSE OF GRATITUDE TO THE CITY OF BOSTON.

I HAVE GROWN UP IN BOSTON PUBLIC HOUSING AND I LEARNED HOW TO READ AT THE LIBRARY.

I THOUGHT, I WANT TO GIVE BACK.

I AM RAISING MY OWN TWO KIDS WITH MY WIFE IN ROSIN.

I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK TO THE SAME FAMILIES THAT HAVE THE SAME STORY THAT MY PARENTS HAVE AND MAKE BOSTON A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE FOR THEM.

ABDULLAH: YOU DO HAVE A COMPELLING BACKGROUND.

MY COLLEAGUES -- THAT IS WHY THEY CHOSE TO ENDORSE YOU IN THE PRELIMINARY RACE.

BUT, I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT WE DISCUSSED WHEN YOU CAME TO THE GLOBE.

ON, FOR EXAMPLE, ON TRANSIT, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE CITY?

WHERE DO YOU THINK THE CITY NEEDS TO WORK WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION NEEDS?

>> IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT CONGESTION IS A HUGE ISSUE IN BOSTON BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IN THE DISTRICT WHERE I AM DOORKNOCKING, PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT STREET SAFETY AND SPEEDING VEHICLES.

I WANT TO SEE MORE IMPLEMENTATIONS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OF BRINGING IN SPEED HUMPS AND STOP SIGN SO WHEN PEDESTRIANS CROSS THE STREET AND AS A PARENT WHEN OUR KIDS ARE PLAYING ON THE SIDEWALKS WE DO NOT FEAR IT WILL BE HIT BY A SPEEDING VEHICLE WHICH HAS ALREADY HAPPENED UNFORTUNATELY ON WOOD AVENUE AND HYDE PARK.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT RESIDENTS FEEL LIKE THEY CAN GO OUTSIDE AND HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION BUT ALSO FEEL SAFE.

ABDULLAH: DO YOU SUPPORT FOR EXAMPLE MORE BUS LANES AND BICYCLE LANES FOR EXAMPLE IN ROXBURY?

>> I DO BECAUSE IT LEADS TO SAFE TRANSPORTATION.

AND NOT JUST FOR THE PEOPLE DRIVING THE VEHICLES BUT THOSE THAT HAVE TO RELY ON BUS SERVICE.

WE FORGET THAT ON AVERAGE A PERSON OF -- A BLACK OR BROWN PERSON SPENDS MORE THAN 64 HOURS EACH YEAR ON BUS DUE TO TRAFFIC.

BY IMPLEMENTING BUS LANES WE ARE GIVING THEM BACK HOURS OF THEIR LIFE THEY CAN USE.

ABDULLAH: HOW DO YOU BALANCE PEOPLES -- COMMUNITIES VOICES, A LOT OF PEOPLE COME OUT IN OPPOSITION TO BIKE LANES -- HOW DO YOU BALANCE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION WITH ACTUALLY GETTING THIS DONE IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME SO IT DOES NOT DRAG ON A FEW YEARS EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO PROP UP A SAFETY PROGRAM?

>> I AM LISTENING TO PERSPECTIVES ON ALL LEVELS OF THE SPECTRUM AND I KNOW I WILL BE ABLE TO PLEASE EVERYONE.

AS LONG AS WE ARE LEANING TOWARDS A CITY THAT WILL BE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE EVEN WHEN TALKING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION, THAT IS THE END GOAL.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT FEARING FOR OUR LIVES ABOUT LOSING OUR LIVES ON LOUISVILLE AVENUE IN MATTAPAN BUT ALSO WHEN YOU ARE WAITING FOR THE 34 BUS ON RUSSIAN -- ON WASHINGTON AVENUE, THAT YOU WILL GET TO WORK OR SCHOOL OR THE CLINIC ON TIME.

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP WE WOULD TAKE THE 93 BUS IN CHARLESTOWN TO GO ACROSS THE CITY TO THE HEALTH CENTER IN JAMAICA PLAIN.

IT IS HOW I LIVED.

I THINK THAT IS THE STORY OF MANY.

ABDULLAH: LET'’S TALK MORE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE CITY COUNCIL GRANTED -- ALLOWED FOR THE GRANTS FOR THE -- THE MAYOR SUPPORTED THAT MEASURE TO APPROVE THOSE GRANTS.

I BELIEVE IT WAS SOMEWHERE AROUND $3 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS.

WOULD YOU HAVE SUPPORTED THAT MEASURE?

WOULD YOU HAVE SUPPORTED FUNDING THOSE -- FOR APPROVING THOSE GRANTS?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION AND IT MAKES ME THINK OF WHY I DECIDED TO RUN.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN I AM GETTING INTO OFFICE IN JANUARY AS THE NEXT COUNSELOR THAT I AM SOLUTION MINDED.

LOOKING AT THE BRIC, I WANT TO ASK, WHAT IS THE ISSUE AT THE MOMENT?

PUSHING FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE POLICE BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF DISTRUST ABOUT HOW THE FUNDS MIGHT BE USED.

WHAT I ALSO SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE THE FUNDS TO DO GOOD WITH THEM BY HOLDING PPD -- BPD ACCOUNTABLE.

ABDULLAH: DO YOU THINK THE GANG DATABASE SHOULD BE ABOLISHED?

THE INCUMBENT, WHEN HE RAN FOR DA, HE MADE IT AN ISSUE IN THE PAST, THAT HE BELIEVES THE DATABASE SHOULD BE SCRAPPED ENTIRELY.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT THAT?

>> WHEN I THINK ABOUT MY DISTRICT AND MY CONVERSATIONS, THE BIGGEST TOPIC AT THE MOMENT IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

AS SOMEONE THAT GREW UP IN PUBLIC HOUSING DURING THE TIMES OF LARGE -- A LARGE GANG PRESENCE IN THE HOUSING AREA, IT WAS EVIDENT THAT FAMILIES WANTED CHANGE.

I WANT TO LOOK AT IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY -- WE WILL HAVE THAT FUNDING AND I WANT TO USE THEM APPROPRIATELY.

ABDULLAH: YOU DO NOT WANT TO ROLL BACK THE GANG DATABASE OR COMPLETELY SCRAPPED IT?

>> I WANT TO TAKE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

IT HAS BEEN APPROVED SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE CITY USES IT WISELY.

ABDULLAH: INCREASED TRANSPARENCY BUT NOT NECESSARILY SCRAP IT.

I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT MAYOR WU.

YOU WORKED IN HER ADMINISTRATION.

HOW DO YOU EVALUATE YOUR FORMER BOSS?

AS COUNSELOR, SHOULD YOU BE ELECTED, YOU WOULD BE A CHECK ON THE MAYOR.

WHERE DO YOU THINK SHE HAS FALLEN SHORT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS?

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUSH HER ON AS A COUNSELOR?

>> AS A CITY COUNSELOR IN A CITY LIKE BOSTON YOUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THE MAYOR IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

I WANT TO GO IN THERE AND LOOK AT HER AND SAY, LISTEN, MY DISTRICT IS ASKING FOR THESE THINGS.

SUCH AS THE TRANSPORTATION POLICIES THEY ARE ASKING FOR BECAUSE AT THE MOMENT THEY FEEL SHE IS FALLING SHORT ON THAT.

I ALSO WENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FIXING THAT I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FIXING OUR BPS SYSTEM.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM PUSHING HER ON THAT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BRINGING RESOURCES TO THE CITY AND MY DISTRICT.

AT THIS MOMENT FAMILIES FEEL MORE CAN BE DONE AND I'’M READY TO HOLD HER ACCOUNTABLE AND WORK WITH HER TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE.

ABDULLAH: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HER PLAN FOR THE O'’BRYANT SCHOOL?

>> AS A FORMER SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT OF O'’BRYANT, IT IS SUCH AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION.

I KNOW HOW I FEEL AS A STUDENT.

ROXBURY IS THE HEART OF THAT SCHOOL.

THE REASON WHY I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SCHOOL IS BECAUSE IT WAS IN ROXBURY.

IF THE MAYOR GOES FORWARD WITH THIS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BIGGEST CONCERNS ARE TAKING CARE OF.

WHICH IS TRANSPORTATION.

ABDULLAH: WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

I WOULD'’VE LOVED TO ASK YOU MORE QUESTIONS BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND GOOD LUCK ON THE CAMPAIGN.

FINALLY TONIGHT --PEPEN'’S OPPONENT FOR BOSTON CITY COUNCIL'’S 5TH DISTRICT SEAT.

JOSE RUIZ IS A RETIRED 29-YEAR VETERAN OF THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HE JOINS ME NOW.

JOSE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> THE PLEASURE IS MINE.

ABDULLAH: LET'’S START WITH YOU TELLING OUR VIEWERS WHILE YOU ARE RUNNING IN THE RACE.

>> I WANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT IMA'’S SON OF BOSTON.

I CAME TO THE U.S. WITH MY MOM AND FAMILY WHEN I WAS TWO YEARS OLD.

I HAVE GROWN UP PRIMARILY IN THE SOUTH END BUT HAVE LIVED IN ALL OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY ALL OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

MY MOM IS PROBABLY THE MOST FAMOUS AFRO LATINA IN THE CITY OF BOSTON.

I WALKED IN HERS -- I WALK IN HER SHOES.

I HAVE ENJOYED MY RIDE.

ABDULLAH: LET'’S TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES.

THIS WEEK THE CITY COUNCIL WHERE YOU HOPE TO WORK APPROVED THE FEDERAL GRANTS, ABOUT $3 MILLION FOR THE BOSTON REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER AT THE BPD, YOUR FORMER EMPLOYER.

IT IS KNOWN WHERE THE GANG DATABASE IS.

IF YOU WERE ON THE COUNCIL THIS LAST WEEK WOULD YOU HAVE APPROVED THOSE FUNDS?

>> LET'’S NOT PAINT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH THE SAME BRUSH AS WE DO IN THE U.S.

THE BRIC IS NOT JUST TO GATHER INTELLIGENCE OF GANG ACTIVITIES BUT ANY ACTIVITIES WHERE THERE IS WHITE SUPREMACY OR WATCHING OVER OUR PARADES.

IT IS MORE THAN JUST GATHERING INTELLIGENCE ON GANG MEMBERS.

IT IS ALSO KEEPING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE.

I WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE VOTED IN SUPPORT OF IT BUT I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A SHOOTING OF FIVE FAMILY MEMBERS AT FRANKLIN FIELD WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN EARMARKED BY OUR CAMERAS.

I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE CAMERAS AND SOLVE THE CRIME BUT WE COULD NOT DO THAT BECAUSE THE CAMERAS WERE NOT THERE ALONG THE RIVER.

47 SHOTS RANG OUT.

WE WERE EARMARKED THERE FOR CAMERAS BUT WE COULD NOT GET THEM THERE.

I AM IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

ABDULLAH: LET ME ASK YOU MORE SPECIFICALLY -- THE INCUMBENT COUNSELOR HAS BEEN VOCAL ABOUT HIS DOES IRA TO ABOLISH THE GANG DATABASE.

-- ABOUT HIS DESIRE TO ABOLISH THE GANG DATABASE.

WOULD YOU WANT THAT TO STAY IN PLACE?

>> THERE IS NO COMMUNITY OR NEIGHBORHOOD OR TOGETHERNESS ON THIS WITHOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

WITHOUT PUBLIC SAFETY THERE IS ONLY PUBLIC CHAOS.

I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME THERE HAS TO BE A COMPONENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO KEEP THINGS IN CHECK.

IF NOT WE GO BACK TO BEING SERFS AND DOING IT OUR OWN WAY BUT THAT IS NOT HOW WE ARE SET UP.

WE NEED THE POLICE.

ABDULLAH: TO BE CLEAR ON THE GANG DATABASE, YOU WANTED TO STAY IN PLACE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABDULLAH: WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING TO REFORM IT OR ANYTHING TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO DISCRIMINATORY OUTCOMES?

>> IT IS ALREADY TRANSPARENT.

I ASKED PEOPLE, HOW MUCH MORE TRANSPARENCY DO YOU WANT?

PEOPLE FORGET THE BOSTON REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER IS NOT JUST THE POLICE.

IT IS LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL INCLUDING CIVILIANS.

I WOULD CONSTANTLY REVIEW IT FOR FAIRNESS TOWARDS THE CIVILIANS BUT ALSO THE POLICE.

ABDULLAH: DO YOU THINK THOUGH IN THIS DATABASE THERE IS A DISPARATE OUTCOME WHEN IT COMES TO SURVEILLING BLACK AND BROWN RESIDENTS OF THE CITY VERSUS WHITE SUPREMACIST GROUPS?

THERE WAS A WHITE SUPREMACIST GROUP MARCH IN BOSTON THAT TOOK LAW-ENFORCEMENT BY SURPRISE.

IT WAS FLOATING UNDER THE RADAR.

IS THERE A DISPARATE OUTCOME THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH THE DATABASE?

>> I AM LATINO.

I AM A THIRD BLACK AND EUROPEAN INFLUENCE AND THIRD INDIGENOUS INDIANS FROM PUERTO RICO.

MY CONCERN ABOUT BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE -- I AM RELATED TO A BUNCH SO I'’M THERE TO DEFEND EVERYBODY.

ABDULLAH: LET'’S MOVE ON BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE SO MUCH TIME.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT MAYOR WU AND WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT HER TENURE SO FAR.

PART OF YOUR JOB AS CITY COUNCIL MEN -- AS A CITY COUNCILMAN WILL BE TO HOLD HER ACCOUNTABLE.

>> I WOULD REMIND PEOPLE THAT THE MAYOR IS DOING WELL, BOSTON IS DOING WELL AND MASSACHUSETTS IS DOING WELL.

NO ONE WILL BE A BIGGER OR BETTER ADVOCATE FOR THE MAYOR THAN MYSELF.

SHE DOING A GREAT JOB, NO.

IS SHE DOING A GOOD JOB, YES.

I WILL PUSH HER.

I WOULD LIKE TO REACH HER AFTER TRUE YEARS.

ABDULLAH: WHAT GETS HER FROM GOOD TO GREAT?

>> TO SAY SOMEONE IS EXCELLENT IS NOT FAIR.

SHE IS GOOD AND A WORK IN PROGRESS.

ABDULLAH: WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT PROGRESS OUGHT TO BE?

>> I WOULD HOPE SHE CONTINUES HER VISIBILITY AND HER INCLUSION OF PEOPLE.

I HAVE BEEN AN AGENT OF SOCIAL JUSTICE MY WHOLE LIFE.

I HAVE DONE THINGS WITHOUT FANFARE.

I KNOW SHE HAS TO DO A LOT OF THINGS WITHOUT FANFARE.

IF I HAD TO PUSH ON ANYTHING I WOULD SAY -- GET OUT THERE MORE.

IT IS TOUGH FOR HER IN THAT POSITION.

SHE HAS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS WHAT SHE SIGNED UP FOR.

I WILL ALWAYS BE HER SUPPORTER.

ABDULLAH: WHAT ARE YOUR TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED?

WHAT ARE THE MOST URGENT ISSUES FACING BOSTON?

>> EVERYTHING IS A PRIORITY.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TRAFFIC.

I GREW UP IN THE SOUTH END WHICH WAS DENSE.

MY BROTHER ON A BET SAID, CAN YOU BEAT THE NUMBER FOUR BUS.

I BEAT IT BY EIGHT MINUTES RUNNING AT 15.

I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, TRAFFIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN HERE IN BOSTON.

WE NEED TO CONDITION OUR FOLKS TO TAKE OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.

WE TALK ABOUT THE BICYCLE LANES.

THE BOSTON GLOBE RODE UP THAT THERE ARE 80 MILES OF BICYCLE LIENS BUT LESS THAN 2% OF CITY OF BOSTON RESIDENTS WHO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS BICYCLE COMMUTERS.

THAT IS NOT A HAPPY MEDIUM.

I MENTOR A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

I LISTEN TO THEM.

THEY HAVE MY EAR AND I WANT TO BE THEM FOR THEIR FUTURE BUT IT IS ALSO MINE.

ABDULLAH: HOW DO YOU DECONGESTANT THE ROADS?

DO WE HAVE ENOUGH BIKE LANES?

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

>> WITH LESS THAN 200 COMMUTERS IN BOSTON I WOULD SAY YOU NEED FEWER BIKE LANES.

IN THE SOUTH END WHERE I GREW UP IT WENT FROM FOUR LANES TO TWO LANES AND THEY ADDED MORE BIKE LANES.

IF YOU SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE OF COLOR THEY ARE OPPOSED TO IT.

IF YOU SPEAK TO INCOMING PEOPLE, THEY SAY MORE.

ROXBURY, THE RESIDENTS WHO WALK THE STREETS ARE OPPOSED TO NEW BICYCLE LANES.

NOW WE WILL HAVE PEOPLE FROM THE OUTSIDE THAT DON'’T LIVE THERE INFLUENCING BICYCLE LANES WHICH IS NOT FAIR TO THE RESIDENTS.

ABDULLAH: IT IS A HOT TOPIC AND RESIDENTS ARE ON BOTH SIDES.

IT DOES BECOME A HEATED DEBATE.

HOW DO YOU GET PEOPLE OUT OF CARS IF YOU DON'’T MAKE ROOM FOR ALTERNATE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION?

YOU THINK WE SHOULD HAVE MORE BUS LANES?

>> THINGS HAVE TO MAKE SENSE.

THE BIG ISSUE IS THE CREATION OF BIKE LANES OVER THE UPHILL AVENUE.

IF YOU SPEAK TO A TON OF PEOPLE IN THAT AREA INCLUDING DORCHESTER, THEY ARE HORRIFIED AROUND THE DISCUSSIONS OF BIKE LANES DOWN BLUE HILL AVENUE.

WE KNOW MATTAPAN SQUARE IS THE GATEWAY TO THE EXITS OF BOSTON.

NARROW ROADS.

WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THESE ROADS MORE NARROW?

THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

ABDULLAH: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

THAT IS IT FOR TONIGHT BUT DO COME BACK NEXT WEEKEND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK.

THE EMAIL IS TALKING POLITICS AT WGBH.ORG.

THE WEBSITE IS GBH NEWS.ORG/TALKING POLITICS.

FOR NOW, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND NIGHT.

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