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
Earlier this month, Hayward Councilmember Elisa Marquez and Mark Salinas – two of three incumbents seeking re-election this November – flashed moments of anger and disdain toward their more progressive opponents when challenged about their respective records. In one exchange, Marquez belittled her opponent's portrayal of her record on the council as inattentive to the … Continue reading Hayward: Salinas, Marquez melt down following attacks on their records
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
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
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 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 Councilmember Francisco Zermeño apologized for diminishing the Black Lives Matter movement by previously using derivatives of the phrase, such as Latino Lives Matter and Police Lives Matter. The statement was made through social media accounts connected with Zermeño's re-election campaign and after a large Black Lives Matter rally in front of Hayward City Hall … Continue reading Hayward: Zermeño apologizes for previously saying ‘Police Lives Matter’
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
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
Since the coronavirus outbreak took full force last week, Hayward Councilmember Mark Salinas said he's received numerous phone calls from small business owners in Hayward who are extremely worried about the dramatic loss in revenue due to the coronavirus, and specter of permanent closure of their local businesses. As a result, he said, many have … Continue reading Amid COVID-19 crisis, Hayward may delay recently passed minimum wage increases
After receiving push back from some local labor unions, Hayward Councilmembers Elisa Marquez and Francisco Zermeno pulled their endorsement of Janevette Cole, a candidate for the Alameda County Board of Education whose campaign is supported by charter schools. Marquez told the East Bay Citizen that she rescinded the endorsement for "political reasons." Following a news … Continue reading After talking to, Hayward council members rescind support for charter school candidate
UPDATE - After talking to, Hayward councilmembers rescind support for charter school canddiate. A surprising number of elected officials on the Hayward City Council and Hayward school board are backing a candidate for the open Alameda County Board of Education seat who is likely to be heavily financed by proponents of charter schools. Two charter … Continue reading Márquez, Zermeño back charter school candidate for county Board of Education
The three Hayward councilmembers who proposed regulations on flavored tobacco and vaping products last month are each up for re-election next year. Hayward Councilmembers Al Mendall, Francisco Zermeño, and Elisa Márquez will undoubtedly use any new restrictions on teenage vaping as a feather in their caps during next year's fall campaign. But it's notable that … Continue reading Why Hayward’s most fervent anti-smoking official was cut out of council’s vaping referral?
Over the past year, East Bay cities such as Oakland, Richmond, Livermore, Alameda, and San Leandro have moved toward some type of restriction on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including those used for vaping. "We have all seen it nationally, and here in Hayward, the epidemic of teen vaping that is just growing and … Continue reading Hayward is preparing to join the list of cities snuffing out teen vaping
A 37-acre parcel of hillside land near Cal State East Bay in Hayward, long ago envisioned by CalTrans as part of a freeway extension, moved closer to development on Tuesday, but not without concerns the future neighborhood will cater to the rich at a time when housing displacement is becoming rampant in the city. The … Continue reading As housing crisis rages, Hayward aims to build only 74 homes on 37 acres of prime land
