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Congressman Owens visits Potsdam and Ogdensburg, talks Farm Bill, goals for business, community support

Posted 1/31/14

By JIMMY LAWTON POTSDAM – With the Farm Bill behind him and only months remaining in his term, Rep. Bill Owens says his focus is shifting from passing legislation and moving toward community …

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Congressman Owens visits Potsdam and Ogdensburg, talks Farm Bill, goals for business, community support

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

POTSDAM – With the Farm Bill behind him and only months remaining in his term, Rep. Bill Owens says his focus is shifting from passing legislation and moving toward community support.

Owens visited Potsdam Thursday and held a brief press conference at the town hall regarding the Farm Bill, but also offered some insight into his goals.

“I’d really like to see an immigration bill passed,” he said, noting that there are many immigrants working on North Country farms who are living illegally. But Owens said the upcoming budget will likely dominate congress, he said he is shifting his efforts help the community through networking rather than legislation.

Owens visited Ogdensburg Thursday where he met with representatives from the Anson Corporation, a manufacturing company. He said he was hoping to help connect the business with a company in the Plattsburgh area that might be interested in buying Anson’s products.

Owens said passing laws takes time, but there are ways to help constituents outside of the halls of congress.

“You have to take other pathways where you can have a positive impact,” he said.

Owens also met with representatives from the Orchestra of Northern New York in Potsdam. He said the group was interested in bringing artists from the Montreal area into North Country, and was hopeful he could help them.

Owens said he is experiencing a bit more freedom now that he is not worried about reelection and he hopes to use that time to help businesses connect and nourish Northern New York’s economy.