WPRI: State GOP Chair Won't Ask Watson to Step Down [poll]
RI Republican Party Chairman Mark Zaccaria of North Kingstown will not ask Rep. Bob Watson to step down after his most recent arrest.
Rep. Bob Watson's (R- District 30, East Greenwich) second arrest in less than a year is prompting discussion on whether or not the state representative should step down from his post in the General Assembly. Watson, however, has not lost the support of fellow Republican and newly-elected chair of the state's GOP Mark Zaccaria, according to WPRI.
Zaccaria told WPRI.com that he will not ask the troubled Watson to step down and was "heartened" to learn that Watson had checked himself into a rehabilitation center.
"He can decide whether or not he thinks he needs to resign if he thinks he can't fulfill his duties that the people of East Greenwich have asked him to perform," Zaccaria told WPRI. Zaccaria added that he and Watson are friends and that he hopes to advise him.
South Kingstown police arrested Watson Saturday night for possession of marijuana after receiving a tip from a plow operator about an erratic driver. The plow operator notified police that a car with a flat tire almost struck him on Tower Hill Road. When arrived, they found the side front tire missing from its rim on Watson's Volvo. (According to WPRI, the tire was found the next morning at the intersection of Tower Hill Road and Saugatucket Road.)
Police also allegedly saw a pipe (often used to smoke marijuana) on the floor of the driver's side as well as a clear plastic bag containing marijuana near the driver's seat.
Watson is facing a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana and is set to appear in Fourth District Court on Feb. 2.
Watson has yet to announce his intentions to run for re-election in District 30, a seat he has held since 1992. Last April, Watson was arrested in Connecticut and charged with driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.
NKGOP Watch
2:56 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Lets look at the established facts, MANY people seem to like Watson, and he still needs to resign after this SECOND incident. Driving under the influence? Come on, that KILLS people! Doesnt everyone remember the Steve Reise tragedy on RT4?
John Doe
7:13 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
A better question would be: Doesn't everyone know someone that has been killed or hurt by a driver who was under the influence? Once could have been a mistake. Twice within a year is just plain recklessness. Do you want this person voting on decisions for you when he obviously is reckless in the rest of his life?
parent of an 8th grader
7:25 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
so Zaccaria doesn't think Watson should give up his seat in the senate huh? Mr Zaccaria would you rather he kill someone in your family first. Not charging him w/ open container,dui and disorderly(yelling at the police) conduct in south kingstown was just plain stupid, I guess anyone who wants to drive drunk and on 3 wheels, slurring his words and not being able to walk straight(NOT TO MENTION STONED) SHOULD JUST MOVE TO SOUTH KINGSTOWN where apparently the laws are different.
Govstench
9:52 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
This guy obviously has a problem and he needs to get help. In the meantime, he should step down. Lawmakers are supposed to set the example for society although it seems lately that is the exception to the norm. This just underscores the need for term limits!
NKGOP Watch
11:20 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Zaccaria supported JIM HALLEY and even had a lawn sign in his yard! Halley cheated special needs children, recklessly manipulated the schools for his own ego and retaliatory reasons, and much more. EVERYONE in NK lived through it and there were hundreds of news stories for YEARS. The minute that nut Halley decided to run for office, this CLOWN Zaccaria supported him. What a LOOOOOOOZAAAAAAHHH!
CBA
4:36 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
And what exactily does this comment have to do with the article? And how many times are you going to mention the Jim Halley lawn sign???
Dave
10:05 am on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I think his (rather obvious) point was that Mr Zaccaria has shown less than stellar judgment in the past, and now is doing so again.....What concerns me about Watson, in addition to this being a second offense endangering people's lives, was his reponse to a police officer: " F#$% you, Do you know who I am?" That's a clear indication that this guy abuses his power and his position. Show some class and step down. Mr Zaccaria, show some ethics and ask him to.
Spring Street
9:40 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
RHODE ISLAND'S CORRUPTION REPORT CARD ! Go to Projo for full story ! www.stateintegrity.org/rhode_island