Cheryl Wills: We're so pleased now to welcome Mayor Eric Adams, who is joining us now from City Hall. Mr. Mayor, thank you for being here with us on this sorrowful time.
Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you, and thank you just so much for that beautiful tribute to just my friend, what she meant to all of us. And my heart goes out to Todd and the family for, you know, this just tragic announcement. My chief advisor told me while I was in Israel that Ruschell has taken a turn for the worse, and she was getting the best care that was possible. And she has been on my mind and in my morning prayers to mom, I was saying a special prayer to her as well.
Wills: Yes, and we know you've been praying and you've been so supportive through this difficult process. Especially when Ruschell returned from surgery, you were her first guest and she was deeply honored by that. I know you remember that moment.
Mayor Adams: Yes, and she, you know, was really kind and caring. She loved the various politicians but she adored me, I was her favorite, you know. And she was just so authentic. As you saw in your tribute how just authentic New York she was.
There were so many stories in her life from being an immigrant, pursuing her dreams, going to the various events and making New Yorkers feel special. She made us all feel special. And her transition from the physical to the spiritual is going to break our hearts. But all of us are going to pass this way. The question becomes what did we contribute and pour into people while we were here? And she poured so much into all of us.
Wills: She certainly did pour so much into so many people. And you know why you were her favorite? Because you two bonded at the West Indian American Day Parade, every Labor Day, of course, is a big parade, was yesterday. Back when you were Brooklyn borough president, you and Ruschell spent a lot of time together along that parade route.
Mayor Adams: Yes, yes. And think about the stories that she covered from terrorism to triumph, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to those personal stories of making people realize that, you know, you see them. And that's really the uniqueness of not only Ruschell but this station and what you have done, Cheryl, of I think this station has the uniqueness of bringing together just everyday New Yorkers who know how to cover the stories. She personified that.
And she was not covering just people to just check a box, she got into it, they left feeling better about their circumstances. And we are all better people because we had a wonderful, wonderful person who reported to us and showed us that no matter how much pain you have you could turn it into purpose. You never saw her frowning, she didn't say woe is me. She said, why not me, I want to inspire others.
Wills: And she did inspire so many. We appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule, but lastly, Mr. Mayor, what will you miss most about Ruschell?
Mayor Adams: The laugh…
Wills: Yes. I knew you were going to say that.
Mayor Adams: She had an unbelievable laugh. She used to say to me all the time, you know, listen, you have that million dollar smile, Eric. Why are you frowning? Laugh! And I just, I think about it oftentimes when I go to the podium and you know, all that she went through. I don't have any way I can complain, because she didn't complain. She was the heart and soul of the greatest city on the globe, New York City, and we were even better because we had her in our lives.
Wills: You said it best. Mr. Mayor, appreciate your time today. Thank you.