Feedback: Potsdam Man Refuses To Move Toilets

Update: A Potsdam man has removed two broken toilets from the property he owns on Market Street but is leaving the rest there in defiance of village law.

Hank Robar sees the toilets and urinals as a form of art.

But Code Enforcement Officer John Hill tells 7 News the toilets pose a safety risk and violate the village’s bulky waste law.

Hill says he plans to ticket Robar Thursday.

“I’m going to write the ticket and let the judge take care of it.” said Hill.

Hill says while he thinks the toilet issue is “being blown way out proportion”, he says Robar is “being treated no different than anyone else in the village.”

What follows is our report from Tuesday:

When you drive along Potsdam’s Market Street, there’s a row of nine porcelain toilets on Fred “Hank” Robar’s lawn.

There are also five urinals attached to a multi-colored garage.

“It’s different. It’s art. People look at it,” said Robar.

But village officials see the lot as unsightly, a safety hazard and in violation of village law.

Robar says he is using the toilets, recycled from apartment houses he owns, on property he pays taxes on.

He claims the village is singling him out.

“As far as Mr. Robar being singled out, absolutely not. I think we’ll be going after everyone to meet the law,” said Potsdam Mayor Ron Tischler.

Two years ago, Robar wanted the property rezoned from residential to commercial so it could be used for a convenience store or fast food outlet.

But village officials refused and his plans went down the toilet.

“Dunkin Donuts offered to buy it. They wouldn’t give me a special use permit for it,” said Robar.

Vandals have broken several of the toilets over the summer, leaving jagged pieces and edges that village officials see as a safety hazard.

Robar has been given a deadline of a few hours to clean up the property or face a violation.

But Robar is standing defiant and is refusing to remove the outdoor potties.

“Look at out west. They bury cars upside down. Maybe I can bury cars. Maybe that’d be better,” said Robar.

Village officials said there are close to 60 other properties also being targeted for clean-up.

Some of those properties are also owned by Robar.

See John Friot’s report:

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