News stories tagged with "bill-owens"

(03/08/12) Watertown Republican Matt Doheny continues to rack up party endorsements in his bid to unseat Democratic Congressman Bill Owens from Plattsburgh.

Over the last week, he's drawn the backing of Republican leaders in Clinton and Fulton Counties. In Essex County, Doheny won the backing of both the Republican and Conservative Party committees.

In a statement, Clinton County Republican chair Don Lee said Doheny has the "political acumen and business acumen to be one heck of a good congressman."

Doheny faces Kellie Greene of Sackets Harbor in the June primary. Lake Placid accountant Doug Hoffman has also expressed interest in another run for the House seat.

But so far, Doheny has far outpaced his competition in fundraising and endorsements.

(02/28/12) A straw poll taken late last week by North Country tea party activists in Plattsburgh found that roughly two-thirds of participants support Republican congressional candidate Matt Doheny. The Watertown Republican hopes to challenge Congressman Bill Owens next November. more

(11/23/11) Congressman Bill Owens visited Saranac Lake's new community store Tuesday.

The first-community owned department store in the state offers basic goods - everything from underwear to bedsheets - things people in Saranac Lake had a hard time finding locally since the last chain department store closed nearly nine years ago.

Organizers had sold half a million dollars in shares to get the business off the ground. The store opened its doors last month. As Chris Knight reports, Owens visit brought just the latest in a string of accolades. more

(09/23/11) Early this morning the U.S. House passed a new version of a stopgap spending bill that would provide disaster cleanup money, and prevent the government from shutting down in a week. The Republican-run House rejected a nearly identical version on Wednesday.

The bill provides $3.7 billion for victims of Hurricane Irene and other disasters. To make up for the spending, Republican leaders cut funding for a program to encourage fuel-efficient vehicles.

The North Country Congressional delegation split on the vote. And speaking yesterday at a farm ravaged by recent flooding, Gov. Andrew Cuomo called for an end to what he called the political games. more

(08/30/11) Rep. Bill Owens is expected in Upper Jay and Ausable Forks this morning to survey the impact of flash flooding with Town Supervisor Randy Douglas.

The two communities are on the banks of the East Branch of the Ausable are used to spring flooding and high waters in heavy rains. But Brian Mann describes a scene in Upper Jay that shocked even old-timers. He spoke with Martha Foley this morning.

(06/15/11) A dozen post offices in the North Country may close by the end of the year. These closings are part of the post office's response to record losses and declining mail volume as more people communicate electronically. The post office says they plan to close 2000 locations by next year.

That plan aims to adjust and streamline postal service after losses of 8.5 billion dollars in fiscal 2010. But some say those losses could be negated with a change to the post office pension funds. Steve Knight has more. more

(12/01/10) Organizers of the Patriot Hills at Saranac Lake project are looking at a resort on Lower Saranac Lake as a possible home for their proposed retreat and reintegration center for veterans, soldiers and their families.

Patriot Hills officials have met with the owners of the Ampersand Bay Resort and Boat Club and an adjacent, undeveloped property. But a deal seems unlikely soon, as the nascent organization is still working to raise funds -- and its profile. Chris Knight reports. more

(11/04/09) For the first time since before the civil war, much of the North Country woke up this morning with a Democratic Congressman. Bill Owens defeated Conservative Doug Hoffman, 49 to 46 percent, in the 23rd district special election, with 95% of precincts reporting. Republican Dede Scozzafava, who abruptly dropped out over the weekend, still captured 6% of the vote. Hoffman conceded last night. The historic race featured millions of dollars in attack ads, appearances by the nation's biggest political figures, and a fight for the identity of the Republican party. David Sommerstein was at Owens headquarters in Plattsburgh and has this story.

(10/21/09) Listen to Bill Owens speaking with David Sommerstein earlier this month at the Democratic campaign offices in Canton.