BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week
POTSDAM — The documentary “Potty Town,” featuring Potsdam businessman Hank Robar’s fight to keep his toilet gardens in the village of Potsdam, is now streaming for free on Amazon with a subscription, or with ads on the streaming site Vudu.
The documentary, made by Potsdam filmmaker Morgan Elliott of Ridge 44 Productions, was released this past August and debuted in the top 20 at the time.
The movie was previously viewable as a paid product on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes and several other services.
“Potty Town” is still bringing down 5 star reviews from many viewers. On Prime Video, the film is at 4 stars with 78 global reviews.
“I have waited for this documentary, interested because I am from the area, and was not disappointed by the outcome. It is professionally produced, educational, entertaining and amusing while the results highlight how our American Republic can support its people. I highly recommend it,” writes Rick Coller on the Prime Video site.
“Well done, funny, informative. A must see documentary,” writes Paul Jeser.
Others were more critical.
“As a person who used to live down the street from one of Mr Robar's installations I see this topic from a personal standpoint. People can be very cool and find his toilets funny...Let's take a selfie! But would you buy the house next door? Probably not,” writes Gail Anderson.
The polarizing toilet gardens have been a subject of controversy in the village and surrounding area since Toilet Garden Impressario Hank Robar, whom the documentary focuses on, installed the first one after being denied a zoning variance in 2004.
Robar was attempting to sell a lot on Market Street to Dunkin Donuts for $650,000, but was denied a variance by the village.
In protest, he began planting toilet gardens with old thrones on lots he owned around the village.
After a years-long battle with much legal wrangling, a federal court judge ruled in Robar’s favor in a civil trial and the village was forced to pay a settlement and stand down.
The film took about 5 years to complete, Elliott said.
Info: PottyTownDocumentary.com.
