HAYWARD | Mar. 7, 2012 | A week after mocking Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum for calling college students snobs, Hayward Councilman Francisco Zermeno again vented populist anger Tuesday night, this time on Wall Street bankers.

Zermeno, who is one of 10 possible candidates vying for four at-large seats on the Hayward City Council this June, told the council he sent an email to President Obama asking him to bail out suffering cities.

“Let me tell you what I did–something crazy last Friday,” said Zermeno. “I really got pissed off at all these crooks on Wall Street that caused all these problems and the federal government decided to bail out. Perhaps they should be talking about bailing out some of the cities.”

Zermeno said he received “no response, but I want to start a movement. It’s just not right. We’re suffering because some crooks decided to make some money. That’s just not right. Our employees are suffering. Our residents are suffering and it’s just not completely right.”

He admitted the email was “pie-in-the-sky” but also said, “I’m an eternal optimist.”

A week ago, Zermeno used the same venue to skewer Santorum for comments levied at college students and graduate. Santorum intimated those people are “snobs.”

Zermeno, who is a long-time Spanish professor at Chabot College, wryly mocked the comment Feb. 28 during public comment.

“My name is Francisco Zermeno and I am a snob, as defined by a presidential candidate who shall not receive my vote,” he said. “I truly believe that every person in the United States needs to at least attempt to have a university education.”
“Please encourage all of our youngsters to go to university and be a snob just like me,” he later added.

Zermeno’s latest attempt to stoke populist anger fell flat for one Hayward city official who remarked after Tuesday night’s council meeting, “What is he going to talk about next week? Rush Limbaugh?”

Among the three council members up for re-election this June, most Hayward observers view Zermeno re-election as less than a sure thing. Councilmembers Barbara Halliday and Olden Henson are also running for re-election. The political calculation became more jumbled last week when former city manager Greg Jones announced he would run for one of the four open seats. Jones, along with Planning Commissioner Al Mendall are also viewed as strong contenders.