Watson Launches Petition Drive

Proponents Hope To Gather 3,500 Signatures for Incorporation Vote —

WATSON — Neighbors in Action, a group of citizens in the Livingston Parish community of Watson, officially kicked off a petition drive Saturday to give voters in Watson the option to incorporate as a city.  The group’s chairman, Gene Baker, said more than 300 voters signed the first day — nearly 10 percent of the 3,500 signatures the group hopes to file with the Secretary of State.

The organization will have to file its completed petitions by early July in order to get on the October election ballot, according to spokesman Bob Watts.

Watts said the group asked for petition signatures last Saturday at Oak Point and Wal-Mart in Watson, as well as at John’s Market.

He said the group will be at the Live Oak ball park Friday.  On Saturday, they will return to Oak Point and Wal-Mart.

He said Neighbors in Action has a headquarters on Highway 16, next to the Watson Lawnmower store.  They will also be accepting petition signatures there at times, he said.

Watts said the proponents of incorporation are learning a lot and are sensitive to the concerns of residents of the Watson area.

Baker said they envision a “small government” type municipality that will mainly serve as a means to plan development for the city and keep out undesirable projects such as the Baton Rouge Loop.

PHOTO: Gene Baker, chairman of Neighbors in Action.