Latest news with #RobertCollins
Axios
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
New Orleanians want less flash, more function from City Hall
Many New Orleanians are scaling back their hopes for City Hall after years of big promises and slow progress. Why it matters: Instead of dreaming of transformation, residents just want a city that works. The big picture: In a recent citywide poll, 37% of residents said street repair and maintenance were their top concerns, and 30% pointed to drainage and flooding. While crime remains the top concern overall, its importance has fallen since last year, as frustration has grown with street conditions, according to the New Orleans Crime Coalition survey. 65% of respondents said the city is on the wrong track. "People have not been trusting City Hall for some time now," says Robert Collins, a professor of urban studies and public policy at Dillard. Zoom in: City priorities are a focus of this fall's election, when voters have the potential to overhaul the leadership at City Hall. LaToya Cantrell is term-limited and her mayoral seat is hotly contested. So are the City Council spots. Inside the room: New Orleanians care about their city, and there's been intense interest in how things can be fixed. In about a dozen community meetings over the past year, residents have shared their ideas for how to improve safety on Bourbon Street, make City Park more user-friendly and spur development in New Orleans East. But there's been a thread of skepticism from attendees about their voices being heard and projects actually finishing. So they've scaled back their expectations and focused on the basics. What they're saying:"The city always overpromises and under-delivers," Collins tells Axios New Orleans. "People have been promised large-scale infrastructure improvements before, but it never happens," he said. So now, people are looking for baby steps that can be delivered in a year or so. Case in point: Bourbon Street: Proposals for sweeping safety changes lost out to more immediate fixes this year, after vocal objections from residents and business owners. Now leaders are focusing on making the current barricades work while they investigate other options. City Park's planned overhaul was scaled back after community pushback. Residents wanted upgrades, but not at the expense of existing programs like Grow Dat Youth Farm. The new plan, unveiled last month, is " somewhat transformational without changing the backbone" of the park, City Park Conservancy president and CEO Rebecca Dietz told Axios New Orleans. (See renderings) Lincoln Beach: An ambitious plan for the historic Black beach — including an expensive rooftop pool — was shelved in favor of a simpler one that focuses on the sandy beach and basic amenities. Other lingering projects include Plaza Tower and the Market Street Power Plant. Progress is happening at the former Six Flags and the new River District, but much slower than initially promised. What we're watching: The new administration will have to focus on rebuilding public trust, Collins said. Improving customer service and responsiveness for city services, especially with the Sewerage & Water Board, would go a long way with residents, he says.
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Gardeners urged to use 12p item to keep rats out of gardens
Rats are an unwelcome sight in any garden, but there are ways to keep them at bay. An expert from has shared the best natural methods to deter the pests, and it will only cost you 12p Gardening enthusiasts frequently face challenges with pests like slugs and snails. However, rats can be an especially troublesome issue for those wanting to enjoy their tranquility of the garden without disturbance. Robert Collins has offered his expert advice for keeping these unwelcome guests out of your garden, highlighting a household staple that you'll often find at home. Essential oils are hailed as an excellent method for deterring the troublesome rodents. Regarding essential oils, Mr Collins from advises: "This is one of the safest and most effective natural ways to get rid of rats. Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Citronella are great examples of essential oils that are brilliant at deterring rats." He points out that the strong scent of such oils acts as a rat repellent and goes on to explain that you can create a DIY rat-repellent spray by mixing an essential oil with water in a spray bottle. For those keen to try this solution, he suggests a mixture of one part essential oil to nine parts water and advises spraying it along the edges of the garden and any popular rat paths, reports the Mirror. Onions Onions also come into play, according to Mr Collins, who says they are effective rat deterrents due to their strong odour which rats find off-putting. He suggests chopping up a few onions and positioning them around the perimeter of your garden or at any known entryways. This remedy is not only simple but also economical, with onions available from local supermarkets at low costs as little as 21p from Tesco or 95p from Waitrose. Steel wool Steel wool is another suggested option. It can be used to deter rats from entering your garden. The expert suggested: "If there are any visible access points where you know the rats are entering and exiting from, stuff some steel wool into these gaps." He added: "Steel wool is a great barrier as it's difficult for rats to nibble at steel wool. They will eventually give up when they find they can't get through it." How to seal up entry points for rats? Mr Collins recommends using steel wool to effectively seal rat entry points. He advised, "Fill the gaps with steel wool and then put caulk around the steel wool to ensure it stays in place. "Alternatively, you can use spray foam to keep it in place. If there are cracks or openings in your walls, you can apply caulking, which will create an airtight seal that protects your home from pests." He also cautioned about potential entry points via chimneys. In this case, you should install chimney grates. However, this task is best left to professionals. You should also seal any vents with mouse mesh to prevent access. If there are gaps in your roof, you can also fill these with sealants, roof tar, or tiles. He concluded, "Whenever you seal a gap to prevent rats from accessing your property, it's important to always use metal. Rats can chew through most materials."
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
UK households urged to use 12p item to keep rats out of gardens
An expert has shared some top tips on how to keep rats out of your garden - using just a few household items. One of the items is a kitchen essential that you probably have in your cupboard right now Gardening buffs are no strangers to battling pests like slugs and snails, but rats present a particularly vexing challenge to those who wish to enjoy their plants in peace. Robert Collins from has shared his top tips for keeping these unwanted visitors away from your garden. Better yet, it involves a common household item you're likely to have on hand—essential oils stand out as a go-to measure for fending off the pesky rodents. When it comes to essential oils, Mr Collins recommends: "This is one of the safest and most effective natural ways to get rid of rats. Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Citronella are great examples of essential oils that are brilliant at deterring rats." He explains that the potent aroma of such essences acts as a deterrent. He adds that you can create a homemade rat-repellent spray by combining an essential oil with water in a spritz bottle. For anyone eager to try this method, he suggests mixing one part essential oil to nine parts water and spraying the concoction along garden boundaries and spots where rats might frequent, as reported by North Wales Live. Onions Mr Collins reveals that you can use onions to deter rats. Their pungent smell can prevent them from wanting to enter the garden. He recommends slicing few onions and scattering them around your garden's perimeter or any obvious entry can be easily sourced from your local supermarket, with prices as low as 21p at Tesco or 95p at Waitrose. Steel wool Steel wool can be used to block rats' access to your garden. The expert advised: "If there are any visible access points where you know the rats are entering and exiting from, stuff some steel wool into these gaps. He continued: "Steel wool is a great barrier as it's difficult for rats to nibble at steel wool. They will eventually give up when they find they can't get through it." How to seal up entry points for rats? Mr Collins suggests using steel wool to best seal rat entry points. He advised, "Fill the gaps with steel wool and then put caulk around the steel wool to ensure it stays in place. Alternatively, you can use spray foam to keep it in place." If there are cracks or openings in your walls, you can apply caulking, which will create an airtight seal that protects your home from pests. He also warns of potential entry points via chimneys. In this case, you should install chimney grates. Although, this is best left to professionals. You should also seal any vents with mouse mesh to prevent access. If there are gaps in your roof, you can also fill these with sealants, roof tar, or tiles. He added, "Whenever you seal a gap to prevent rats from accessing your property, it's important to always use metal. Rats can chew through most materials."
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
West Michigan family hopes soldier missing in Lithuania is found safe
SPRINGFIELD, Mich. (WOOD) — A West Michigan family says their son and brother is the fourth soldier crews are looking for . Officials say the team was attempting to repair and tow a military vehicle. Robert Collins remembers that his son, Troy Smith Knutson-Collins, seemed to be destined to work with machinery from a young age. 'I was thinking back and stuff when this happened the other day, and I was like 'Man, I got a picture of him holding the wrenches and everything' and he is a mechanic today,' he said. Family said Knutson-Collins went into the Army in 2017 at the age of 20. Collins said he was reluctant to see the young man enlist but said it was an opportunity for his son to find a path of structure and focus. 'He even grew more as a man and a man that I totally respect. He just turned out to be awesome,' Collins said. Now a sergeant and father of five, family said he's stationed in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Army officials said on March 25, an M88A2 Hercules crew assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division was sent was out to retrieve a tactical vehicle that had broken down during a scheduled training in the Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania. In Lithuania, 3 US soldiers found dead in an armored vehicle. 1 is still missing. Collin said he spoke with his son briefly the Sunday before the mission. 'For 34 seconds. That's not normal, but his wife called. And to me, he has a family and children, I'll wait. And it looks like I will have to wait a long time,' he said. The armored recovery vehicle was found on March 26. Officials say it was under approximately 15 feet of water and mud. The six-day operation to free the 63-ton vehicle took more than 150 personnel from the US Army, Navy, Poland and Lithuania — both service members and volunteers. Collins said the family appreciates the international effort during the search as well as the how the Lithuanian Minister of Defense and Army personnel have treated them during the recovery. 'Different nations coming together for four guys, for four people I mean, they really, really are putting in the work. I mean, coming from United States and I believe Poland and the volunteers in Lithuania, the list is huge,' Early Monday morning, Army officials announced they found three soldiers dead and are still looking for the fourth. Collins said when an Army official told him that his son was still considered missing, it was a wave of relief, along with the feeling of anxiety for what's next. 'I've already thought about all the possible, inevitable situations that it could be 'Hell yes,' that we have a chance that he's still out there. But then the other thing steps in, 'Well, where is he now?'' said Collins. Every day since the initial notification that his son was missing, loved ones have rallied around the family. Knutson-Collins' brother, Trevor Collins, says he would hug him as tight as his brother did when he graduated boot camp. 'I'd want to hug and I'd want to know, 'How was it?'' he said. US and Lithuanian forces struggle to drain swamp to recover 4 soldiers in submerged armored vehicle Officials said a Navy dive team is searching the bog along with the help of Lithuanian K-9 teams. U.S. Army in Europe and Africa officials have adopted the phrase 'We will not rest' throughout the recovery process. American soldiers joined European counterparts over the weekend in a Mass dedicated to the soldiers. Support continues closer to home. A spokesperson with the 3rd Infantry Division said families are being kept updated on the search and recovery efforts daily with leaders at every level. 'The 3rd Infantry Division and the U.S. Army has provided resources to the families and soldiers to support them through this difficult time. Chaplains and counselors have prioritized the mental and emotional wellbeing of those affected by this tragedy, to include soldiers both forward deployed and here at Fort Stewart, Georgia,' said a division spokesperson. Army officials are not releasing the names of the soldiers found dead pending next of kin notification. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
