Today's Watertown Times included three interesting political reads that are not to be missed.

First is staff writer Jaegun Lee's story about environmental writer Bob Deans' speech at Jefferson Community College.

Mr. Deans weighed in about corporate profits, jobs, regulations and wind energy. Even the north country's top Democrat, Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, has taken some stances that probably don't hew to Mr. Deans' worldview. For example, Mr. Owens talks about eliminating Environmental Protection Agency regulations and wants the Keystone XL pipeline to be built.

Martha Ellen has a story today about the ongoing battle in St. Lawrence County over raising the sales tax. State Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, has said she won't carry the legislation. Her Nov. 6 opponent, Oswego County Legislator Amy Tresidder, D-Oswego, said she would.

And also in the big county, a petition drive is being launched on college campuses. That could be helpful to Mr. Owens' fortunes in his Nov. 6 race against Republican Matt Doheny. Notably, Mr. Owens' St. Lawrence County office is located in Potsdam, which was the only municipality where a majority of voters went for Democrat Michael Hennessy in his landslide loss to state Sen. Joe Griffo, R-Rome.

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