Doughnuts with Doheny

The new year is in full swing, and Republican congressional candidate Matt Doheny is apparently looking to increase his visibility throughout the 23rd district.

Doheny, a businessman from Watertown, is gunning for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh. The following is from a press release issued this afternoon by Doheny's campaign spokesman, Jude Seymour:

"Matt Doheny is offering a fun way for people to get to know him and to discuss the issues that matter most," the release reads. "The Republican candidate has created Doughnuts With Doheny, an informal town hall-style event that will be held on successive Saturdays across the district. This forum gives Doheny an opportunity to listen to area residents’ top concerns and priorities. The candidate will make a short presentation at the start and then hear from the audience for the remainder of the 1-hour meeting."

Doheny said he's the "kind of candidate that is available, approachable and cares about what each person has to say."

"Doughnuts with Doheny is a perfect opportunity for me to have a running dialogue with our district residents about their issues, whether big or small," he said.

The plan, Doheny said, is to host one of these events in each county within the 23rd district. Each forum will provide complimentary coffee, water and, of course, doughnuts.

The first three events have already been scheduled:

- 10 a.m. Jan. 21 at the Oneida Recreation Center, 217 Cedar St., Oneida - 9 a.m. Jan. 28 at Castaways Riverside Restaurant, 916 County Route 37, Central Square - 9 a.m. Feb. 4 at Cape Vincent Recreation Center, 602 S. James St., Cape Vincent

No word yet when the series will make its way to this neck of the woods.