A plan to pull porta potties out of public parks has been postponed in Montgomery County, Md.
The proposal last week created a stink among residents worried that those who just can't hold it would turn to nature when answering nature's call, creating public health issues and quite possibly stinking up county neighborhoods.
The idea is to save $150,000 per year, The Washington Post reported.
The potty reprieve may be only temporary, however. Later this summer, parks users still may need to find other options because the long-term prospects for portable toilets aren't looking very good.
An effort by the parks department to get private donors to pick up the tab for the portable toilets -- about $65 per month, per toilet, including a laminated sign recognizing the donor -- isn't doing well. Kelli Holsendolph, parks spokeswoman, said that the agency has received only one check to cover the cost of a portable toilet in Silver Spring's Nolte Park. About 12 others have expressed interest, she said. "We are very encouraged by the community support," she said, despite the low number of firm offers.
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