BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

POTSDAM -- A Brasher Falls man who attends SUNY Albany has started an online petition to save the Potsdam toilet gardens owned by Hank Robar and more than 1,100 people have signed thus far in support.

The petition on Change.org was set up by Setcher Krywanczyk and can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2WODqic.

"Hank Robar's potty garden protests are a classic part of Potsdam that cannot be removed. Initially constructed to show displeasure with the Potsdam Village's zoning rules, the toilets have become popular pieces of local art. The town has attempted for years to remove Robar's works of art, and they are now close to succeeding. Let the Potsdam Village Board hear our voices, and save our beloved community art. #SaveTheToilets," writes Krywanczyk on the petition site.

The village board passed a resolution July 20th ordering Robar to dismantle the gardens, found on seven of his properties, by September. This comes after years and years of legal wrangling, a court battle and opinions voiced for and against the gardens.

The toilets have garnered a great deal of outside attention, including a visit by YouTube documentarian Toilography in 2018. You can view that video at https://bit.ly/3hmY0xY.

"I’ve lived in the area my whole life, I’ve always been well aware of the gardens in Potsdam. In high school my Participation in Government class used them as an example of protest and used it to help expand on understanding both sides of an argument. I’m always happy to see local art, and the toilet gardens are a charming example that makes me think of the north country," Krywanczyk told North Country This Week.

Krywanczyk said the petition has garnered more signatures in just a few days than he ever expected. He added however that with the national coverage of the issue in the media that there are many people who are passionate about saving them.

"I didn’t expect to get so many signatures in just a few days. I’m not a social person, I shared this petition with my friends and on Facebook and hoped for the best," he said.

Change.org, the website hosting the petition, sends an email for every signature to Potsdam Village Mayor Ron Tischler and Village Administrator Greg Thompson. Krywancyzk said he may also opt to print copies of the petition signatures for submission to village officials moving forward.

While he feels that a good number of the signatures he has collected on Change.org are from a younger age demographic, Krywanczyk said he knows that the issue is getting a lot of support from other demographics in the community as well. "I think it's fair to say there's a good amount of support from all sides," he said.

Supporters call the porcelain plots folk art and poo-poo what they view as a downward spiral towards gentrification of the properties by village officials and representatives from the local hospital system and colleges, resulting in homogenization of a village flush with personality. Detractors call the displays trash and want the lots dethroned.

"I personally believe the board is making a mistake in removing the gardens. I understand some of their reasonings. People may complain about their property value, I’ve heard other people afraid that the gardens are obscene and might scare new people away, but the toilets are a unique part of Potsdam," Krywanczyk said.

"There are even some people who traveled to Potsdam just to see the gardens. Robar’s gardens and buildings are all very colorful and lively. I don’t think it’s anything to be ashamed of, it is infamous local art, I think the village could embrace that and accept it as part of their history. I think having such an expressive town would invite great people to the area. People who will feel comfortable expressing themselves, while also enjoying the countryside that’s only a short car ride away," he said.

Here are a few of the comments left by signers to the online petition:

"I live close to Potsdam and have seen this man's art for years of my life. It means a lot to me and many of the people who live in this area," writes Shane Murphy.

"It’s art. If the guy likes it then let him be. It’s not hurting anyone, it’s his property and he can do whatever he wants with it! So all you Karen’s need to shut up and get over it!" says Nicole Bray.

"This is art! And very unique keep the toilets! Let this man be!" said Kendra Wright.

"This is my home and I love them!," writes Emily Jarvis.

"They aren’t hurting anyone and they have been there for years. I don’t understand why they are a problem and everyone who passes them, it gives them joy to see," Tiffany Hood said.

"It's his property, he pays taxes for it. He can do what he wants," said Steven Hazelton.

"North Country landmark. It's an infringement of the first amendment," said Aran Thawani.

Tara Dowling said "He pays his taxes, leave him be!! It's not hurting a damn person; do get over yourselves!!"

"Art is art!!! Leave him alone!!! We are supposed to be the epicenter of the cultural universe so let it be. I stand by him 100%," said Andrew Miller.

"The toilets are a part of Potsdam!," Jamie Salerno writes.

"It’s Classic ... Save the Art!," said Colleen Blood.

"I believe government shouldn’t be able to tell you what you have to do with your own property!," Paul LaBrake said.