Tag: Aisha Wahab

Did Swalwell abruptly end his presidential campaign because reporters were looking into the Chinese spy story?

In April 2019, on a bright Sunday afternoon in Dublin, Rep. Eric Swalwell kicked off his campaign for president. Swalwell trotted out his mouthful of a campaign slogan to great cheers from his supporters. Yet no matter how hard he tried, Swalwell's presidential campaign was an unqualified disappointment. He often registered zero percent support in … Continue reading Did Swalwell abruptly end his presidential campaign because reporters were looking into the Chinese spy story? →

Hayward approves second downtown dispensary: ‘We’re basically making the downtown a drug hub’

A second cannabis dispensary is coming to downtown Hayward. A conditional-use permit was granted Tuesday night to Jiva Life for a retail establishment at the former Hayward Fishery restaurant on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and C Street. Hayward officials last year approved a cannabis dispensary on B Street. Like the location approved this week, … Continue reading Hayward approves second downtown dispensary: ‘We’re basically making the downtown a drug hub’ →

Hayward City Council election preview: A new hope

Let’s begin by mentioning Hayward, with a diverse population of roughly 140,000, needs district-based elections. Although this council is clearly diverse-- three Latinos, one Afghan American, for example- there is little diversity of opinion. The Hayward City Council, despite being a union town, does not always espouse union values, and only acquiesces to the progressive … Continue reading Hayward City Council election preview: A new hope →

East Bay’s Top 10 November races to watch

Alameda County Supervisor District 1 Alameda County District 1 supervisorial candidates, Fremont Councilmember Vinnie Bacon and Dublin Mayor David Haubert at an Aug. 17 virtual candidate forum. This race has already been the East Bay's most punishing for months. The Alameda County race for District 1 supervisor pits candidates from both halves of the roughly … Continue reading East Bay’s Top 10 November races to watch →

Hayward: Plan to lower annual rent increases moves ahead

Hayward renters could see their annual rent increases lowered from a current five percent cap to as low as two percent, according to a proposed revision to the city's Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance. The three-member Hayward Housing-Homelessness Task Force moved forward a staff proposals last week that could tie rent hikes to increases in the … Continue reading Hayward: Plan to lower annual rent increases moves ahead →

Large, energized field of candidates in Hayward

Boosted by an emboldened group of progressives and activists, Hayward's sprawling 13-candidate race for four seats on the City Council could be a once-in-generation reconfiguration of its political power structure. The field of 13 candidates this November, includes three incumbents, and a field of newcomers baptized by Hayward's dramatic push to the left stoked over … Continue reading Large, energized field of candidates in Hayward →

Hayward police chief apologizes for saying city council is ignorant

Hayward Police Chief Toney Chaplin apologized last week for saying Hayward City Council members were ignorant of the department's day-to-day activities. Chaplin, a former San Francisco interim police chief, who was tapped to lead the Hayward Police Department in July 2019, made the initial comment during a City Council budget and finance committee meeting on … Continue reading Hayward police chief apologizes for saying city council is ignorant →

Hayward: Task force to study lowering annual rent increase cap, but not before odd exchange involving mayor

During a somewhat routine update to Hayward's rent stabilization ordinance last week in which certain tweaks and language intended to align the ordinance with changes in state law were offered by city staff, Hayward Councilmember Aisha Wahab sought a  significant change by proposing to lower the threshold for rent increases to roughly two percent a … Continue reading Hayward: Task force to study lowering annual rent increase cap, but not before odd exchange involving mayor →

Hayward to ask voters to increase hotel tax, allow non-citizens to serve on boards

Hayward voters will be asked this November to increase its current hotel tax up to 14 percent. A charter amendment to allow non-citizens to serve on city boards and commissions will also appear on the fall ballot, the Hayward City Council decided last week. Hayward's 8.5 percent Transient Occupancy Tax, also known as a hotel … Continue reading Hayward to ask voters to increase hotel tax, allow non-citizens to serve on boards →

Hayward approves budget that includes police officer hiring freeze

Hayward councilmembers approved a $169 million budget for the next fiscal year that includes a $4.1 million cut to the Hayward Police Department. The move comes following several weeks of advocacy by Hayward residents for the City Council to incorporate a list of seven demands to defund the police department. The cut approved on Tuesday … Continue reading Hayward approves budget that includes police officer hiring freeze →

Hayward may ask voters to allow non-citizens to serve on boards

Hayward voters may be asked this November to amend its City Charter and allow non-citizens to serve on city boards and commissions. The Hayward City Council unanimously voted to move forward the proposal on Tuesday night by directing staff to begin an analysis for placing the proposed charter amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot. The … Continue reading Hayward may ask voters to allow non-citizens to serve on boards →

Hayward: Wahab tried to lower council pay by 5%, colleagues were cool to the idea

As Hayward councilmembers thanked its executive team and firefighters on Tuesday night for foregoing two percent cost-of-living increases to help lower the city's ballooning covid-related deficit, in addition, to their own two percent cut in council pay, Hayward Councilmember Aisha Wahab, instead, pushed for further generosity from her colleagues. "I, personally, am willing to forego … Continue reading Hayward: Wahab tried to lower council pay by 5%, colleagues were cool to the idea →

Hayward officials ‘regrettably’ delay minimum wage increase for six months

Workers earning a minimum wage in Hayward will not receive a previously promised $2 an hour raise for, at least, another six months, the Hayward City Council decided on Tuesday. A majority of the council, some voicing regret for delaying the scheduled increase from July 1 to Jan. 1, 2021, made the decision in order … Continue reading Hayward officials ‘regrettably’ delay minimum wage increase for six months →

Profiles in leadership: Hayward mayor tells council to allow staff to lead during covid-19 crisis

Hayward Mayor Barbara Halliday told fellow councilmembers that they should "stand aside" and allow the city's administrative staff to lead its response to the covid-19 outbreak. Halliday further suggested city staff, not the city's elected leaders, have the experience and breadth of knowledge required to lead the city during the pandemic. The list of requirements … Continue reading Profiles in leadership: Hayward mayor tells council to allow staff to lead during covid-19 crisis →

COVID-19: Hayward moves to protect renters. ‘I’m a little disappointed this doesn’t cover all people’

-Coronavirus news briefs from Hayward