Tea party group seeks a meeting with Owens

The Upstate New York Tea Party did not succeed in wooing Rep. William L. Owens to one of its forums this spring. Now it will try, try again.

Chairman Mark L. Barie said he offered Mr. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, four dates in August and September to meet the group, which claims to have more than 900 members in the 23rd Congressional District.

"UNYTEA represents the majority of Mr. Owens' constituents, voters who believe in lower taxes, less spending, and limited government," Mr. Barie said in a news release. "The congressman should be willing to talk with us."

Mr. Owens declined the group's May offer. He subsequently scheduled a May 22 town hall meeting in Plattsburgh, one day after Mr. Barie had proposed Mr. Owens meet his group in the same city.

The tea party group, which is about a year old, has endorsed one of Mr. Owens's opponents, Douglas L. Hoffman. Sean P. Magers, Mr. Owens's spokesman, said his boss will respond to the invitation "in due time."