PLATTSBURGH — New North Country Congressman William Owens says the country needs to find a way to have civil conversations about issues in order to solve problems, and he hopes he can lend a hand in that process.

"We need to have bi-partisan, rational, civil discourse," Owens told the Plattsburgh Noon Rotary Club Wednesday.

"If we can't have constructive conversations we can't solve problems."

Owens, an attorney from Plattsburgh and a Democrat, won the special election for the 23rd District on Nov. 3, defeating Conservative Party candidate Douglas Hoffman, an accounting firm owner from Lake Placid.

Republican Dierdre "Dede" Scozzafava, an assemblywoman from Gouverneur in St. Lawrence County, dropped out of the race three days before election day as her poll numbers sagged.

Owens told the Rotary that he will be an independent voice in Congress, putting the needs of the 23rd District first and foremost.

"I assure you that I will be independent and vote in the best interests of the district," he said.

"If you don't agree with me I understand and expect that, but I will communicate the good and the bad with people."

Owens's campaign platform focused on job creation for the district. He said he will continue to work to bring more jobs to the North Country, especially in the wake of Pfizer's recent announcement that it will be closing three key plants in the area, eliminating hundreds of good-paying jobs.

"I will continue to work to bring jobs to the area, and if we do that we will solve a tremendous amount of our problems," he said.

Owens was sworn in on Nov. 6 and has since been named to the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security.

A former Air Force captain, Owens said he would like to review more information on plans for the war in Afghanistan and hear more from President Barack Obama before formulating a strategy.

"I am concerned about what the long-term strategy will be, but I really need to sit down in some committee meetings and talk to some people and hear what the president has to say to reach my own conclusions," he said.

On the ongoing health-care issue, Owens said he believes some kind of resolution will come out of conference committee meetings between the House and Senate.

"But, as number 435, I probably won't have a big hand in it," he said in reference to being the newest member of Congress.

Owens also said he plans on playing a role in determining which airlines receive federal Essential Air Service funding for area airports.

Officials at Lake Clear Airport in Franklin County want to continue with Cape Air and their smaller aircraft, while those at Plattsburgh International Airport would like to see Colgan Air with larger aircraft come into the market, replacing Cape Air.

The federal Department of Transportation will decide which airline gets the funding early next year.

"I hope to negotiate with DOT so both communities can get what they deserve," Owens said.

"I have some experience in this so I feel I can assist both DOT and the local communities."

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com