Viewpoint: Opponents of the affordable housing tax are making the perfect the enemy of the good

New Orleans is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis that can only be mitigated by addressing the racial equity needs of the city’s most marginalized citizens, said Andreanecia Morris, who leads the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA). A respected affordable housing professional, Morris is having a hard time understanding the mindset of groups, including the Bureau of Governmental Research, that are either neutral or opposed to the renewal of the city’s property tax dedicated to increased affordable housing and blight elimination. The proposition appears on the ballot this Saturday (Dec. 11). If voters reject the renewal, the tax will expire at the end of the year.

Olio Novello, Italy’s premier olive oil, coming soon to Rouses (sponsored)

True olive oil lovers know there’s olive oil, extra-virgin olive oil — and then there’s Olio Novello, the first batch of oil made from the year’s olive harvest and the most coveted style of olive oil sold. Italians line up to buy bottles on the day they are released. Rouses Markets exclusive Olio Novello is made in Sciacca, Sicily, in the Val D9i Mazara Region. Green olives from the 2021 harvest are picked early and pressed immediately, which preserves the flavor and aroma of the olive fruit. The oil is then bottled unfiltered, so it’s green and clear.

Banh Mi Boys is bringing its fast Vietnamese fare to the Garden District

Banh Mi Boys, a fast and casual Vietnamese restaurant, is expanding and opening a location at 3244 Magazine St. The site was formerly home to Reginelli’s Pizzeria. Banh Mi Boys has developed a following since Peter Nguyen opened the Metairie favorite in 2015. Nguyen is now expanding through franchise operations, with the first on Magazine in the Garden District. 

The restaurant is known for its Vietnamese-style poor boys packed with goodies such as grilled pork, grilled chicken and grilled shrimp wedged into crispy baguettes. It also offers rice and vermicelli bowls, salads, New Orleans-style poor boys and fries.

Man found shot to death on porch in Hollygrove; NOPD arrests woman accused of killing him in domestic dispute

A man was shot to death Saturday morning (Dec. 4) in Hollygrove, the New Orleans Police Department reported. Police reported Sunday that a woman was arrested in the killing. Second District officers responding to a report of gunfire in the 3100 block of Mistletoe Street found Lorenzo Cortez, lying on a front porch at about 11:25 a.m. He was unresponsive and had sustained a gunshot wound. Medical responders declared him dead at the scene.

Harry’s Ace Hardware to close after 63 years on Magazine Street

 

The owners of Harry’s Ace Hardware, Cary Becker and Kelly and Scott Fox, announced Thursday (Dec. 2) that their iconic hardware store will close after 63 years of serving New Orleans’ do-it-yourselfers at 3535 Magazine St., and over 100 years in business in New Orleans.

Harry’s Ace Hardware will close its doors in the second quarter of 2022, the company said in a press release.

Viewpoint: Progressives show mainstream clout in the sheriff’s race

With the Dec. 11 runoff election just nine days away, the candidates and the political action committees behind them are wasting no time getting out their last-minute messages — mostly in the form of attacks. Though not officially on the ballot, the construction of an 89-bed special needs jail is at the heart of this year’s competition between Sheriff Marlin Gusman and former Independent Police Monitor Susan Hutson. Gusman won 48% of the vote in the primary while Hutson ran second with 32%.  

With the Sheriff’s Office still under the federal consent decree, U.S. District Judge Lance Africk’s posturing has made it clear: build a special needs jail from scratch and commit the resources to operate it or face the consequences. It’s hard to disagree in public with a federal judge.

Police blotter: Three carjackings, four purse snatchings, an armed robbery

Uptown neighborhoods saw a rash of carjackings and purse snatchings in the past week. Four of the eight robberies and carjackings reported took place in the Irish Channel, and five of the eight victims were 60 or older. Carjackings in Lower Garden District, Irish Channel

A carjacker got into a pickup truck that was left running in the Irish Channel early Wednesday (Dec. 1). The owner, a 63-year-old man, stepped away from his pickup in the 400 block of Philip Street at about 4:15 a.m. When he returned, he found the man inside.