Transcript: Mayor Adams Calls In for Live Interview With WCBS 880 Radio

August 22, 2024

Paul Murnane: I believe we have the mayor of New York City on the line, Mayor Eric Adams. We appreciate your time because, as I've often said, you're busier than we are. And thank you so much. Can you tell us about this radio station and what it means to you and its departure to New York City?

Mayor Eric Adams: When you think about 57 years, and many of those years was part of my life back in the days when I was with 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, the Guardian Association, state senator, borough president, you were always willing to hear what news really impacted our city. And it is really a great loss to us.

And I just really want to thank you to allow me throughout my advocacy to have a way to communicate with your listeners and everyday New Yorkers. You know, 880 is really imprinted in my brain because I used to see those microphones at all of the programs. First conference throughout the years. And to all of you, I wish you the best of luck.

Wayne Cabot: Hey, Mayor Adams, when I started listening to this radio station, Ed Koch was the mayor. Actually, no, I think Abe Beam was the mayor. And then it was Ed Koch and on and on. And since we're all focused on this radio station and our experiences, I want to turn the tables on you for a second here. And I want to ask you a very basic question. What's it like to be the mayor of New York City?

Mayor Adams: You have to pinch yourself every day, the weight of the city and your ability to impact the lives of New Yorkers to make us safer, to bring jobs here, tourism, to make sure our children are prepared for tomorrow. You know, when you think about it, people often ask, hey, isn't this a hard job to do? You're always hearing everyone's concerns.

And I just think that it's the greatest city on the globe. And if you could help the greatest people on the globe. New Yorkers, you have to just thank God that you're given the opportunity to do so. And I wake up every day with the same level of excitement that I had, believe it or not, when I was sworn in to be a police officer. I love wearing our uniform for 22 years. And I love wearing the role of mayor for the time that I'm the mayor of this great city.

Murnane: You're on social media. The city agencies are on social media. You're on television constantly. But isn't radio an important part of getting out the word and you're the mayor of New York and you're sitting behind that desk?

Mayor Adams: Yes. And think about it. Let's think about the images of yesteryears, how families used to sit around the radio and hear Roosevelt, either read the comics, or listen to our favorite shows. There was something special about radio. And it's still here today.

When you are able to hear as you're driving into work or as you are sitting down at your office, radio plays such an important role that, you know, even to host a radio program that I do once a month, people stop me all the time and say, I hear you on radio.

Yes, we have social media. Yes, we have Instagram, Facebook, and all that other stuff. But nothing beats hearing the human voice come across the air, a box that we still don't know how we're able to hear that sound, but we enjoy it so much. And you guys did it for 57 years. Kudos to you.

Cabot: Mayor has a good point. I have no idea how radio works. Never mind television. Wait a minute. We're looking at the air. How are these noises and sounds and images going through the air and not hurting us? I never understood that.

Mayor Eric Adams, thank you very much for coming on with us. We really appreciate that.

Mayor Adams: Thank you. Good luck to you with your next step and your next venture.

Murnane: Thank you, Mayor Eric Adams.

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