Tag: Mark Salinas

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 →

Hayward: Salinas, Marquez melt down following attacks on their records

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 →

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: 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: Zermeño apologizes for previously saying ‘Police Lives Matter’

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’ →

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 →

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

-Coronavirus news briefs from Hayward

Amid COVID-19 crisis, Hayward may delay recently passed minimum wage increases

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 →

Why Hayward’s most fervent anti-smoking official was cut out of council’s vaping referral?

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? →

Hayward is preparing to join the list of cities snuffing out teen vaping

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 →

Hayward: Council moves along Wahab’s referral for third-party oversight of fatal police shootings

With frustrations from the family of the man slain by Hayward Police last November running high, the Hayward City Council unanimously, but cautiously, approved a referral asking city staff to prepare an independent investigation policy for instances when deadly force is used by its police officers. The proposal requested by Councilmember Aisha Wahab requires the … Continue reading Hayward: Council moves along Wahab’s referral for third-party oversight of fatal police shootings →

Hayward City Council referral debate got really personal

The tension at Hayward City Hall has been building for months between some elected officials and the insurgent councilmember appearing to set a new paradigm in the city's politics. The mean-spirited comments and backbiting that have been evident in the background towards Councilmember Aisha Wahab's style and bold legislative direction spilled out into the public … Continue reading Hayward City Council referral debate got really personal →