WALKER, La. — The Walker City Council covered a range of local issues during a brief 35-minute meeting Monday night, including drainage concerns, a police department roof repair, and plans for the city’s annual Christmas parade.
Chief of Operations Jamie Etheridge briefed the council on flood control efforts within Drainage District 5, which encompasses much of Walker. He noted that while drainage districts serving the Live Oak-Watson and Denham Springs areas are active, other nearby districts have limited funding and have done less work to improve flow.
“If the water had a place to go, it would make our lives easier,” Etheridge said, suggesting that District 5 expand work to southern areas to improve overall drainage. When Councilman Gary Griffin asked if the district boundaries could be changed, Mayor Jimmy Watson explained that such changes would have to go before the Legislature. No action was taken on the discussion.
The council also passed an amendment to the city’s nuisance ordinance to expand its definition beyond abandoned cars, appliances, and furniture. The revised ordinance now includes items such as unused junction boxes, loose wires, abandoned computers, and underground cables.
In other business, the council approved an amendment to allocate $35,000 from the city’s 2025 budget for repairs to the Walker Police Department’s leaking roof. “It’s raining in the Police Department,” Councilman Eric Cook said while introducing the measure. Police Chief David Addison added, “It’s that or get a lot of umbrellas.” The measure passed unanimously.
The city also set the date for this year’s Walker Christmas Parade for 3 p.m. on Dec. 6, with the Walker Kiwanis Club once again serving as sponsor. Organizer Kay Landry said 12 floats have already registered, with more expected in the coming weeks.
In a final action, the council approved the hiring of Adrian Carter, a Baton Rouge resident and longtime FedEx employee, as a part-time officer with the Walker Police Department. “I’ve always wanted to work in law enforcement,” Carter told the council.
