This past Wednesday, Mayor Steve Otis and the entire Rye city council had a special guest. Mr. Floatie--the eight foot "spokes-turd" for Ray Tartaglione's HEALtheHARBOR group that is concerned about pollution on Rye's Hen Island--made an unannounced appearance to press the case of the Hen Island group.
The video of Mr. Floatie's appearance can be seen it its entirety below:
The group submitted the following report regarding their appearance before Rye city council:
"On Wednesday evening, October 1, Jordan Glass, Esq., a spokesperson and supporter of HEALtheHARBOR.com presented the Rye City Council with copies of e-mailed correspondence between Westchester County Deputy Health Commissioner Leonard Meyerson and Chief Health Commissioner Joshua Lipsman, which confirmed that, “none of the wastewater disposal systems [on Hen Island in Milton Harbor] were approved by the Westchester County Health Department.” Mr. Meyerson’s email offered four recommendations to remedy the unapproved polluting septic systems on Hen Island.
The e-mails were obtained thru a “FOIL” (Freedom of Information Law) request of the Westchester County Health Departments records. Glass, also stated that Ron Gatto, lead investigator of the Westchester County Environmental Unit, wanted to close Hen Island until the corrections were made. He also supplied the Council with minutes from an emergency management meeting which took place in 2001, during which Rye’s Fire Inspector, Jim Dianni, suggested that dry hydrants be installed throughout Hen Island. Glass also noted that, now seven years later, they have never been installed.
He drew references to the 1974 Gulliver’s fire in Portchester during which 24 lives were lost and how vigilant the local municipalities became regarding safety inspections after that tragedy. Glass questioned the Council as to why they were not enforcing the fire safety, and health codes on Hen Island.
On a much lighter note, Glass introduced the Rye Council to “Mr. Floatie,” the 8-foot turd mascot for HEALtheHARBOR.com. “Mr. Floatie’s purpose is to educate. He is a lovable environmentalist devoted to clean water awareness. His mission is to draw attention to the need for a safe environment, which he does by ‘high-fiving’ children and giving out Hershey bars.” When Mr. Floatie presented Mayor Otis with a Hershey bar, the Mayor asked, “if there was any e-coli in the bar.” Glass assured the Mayor that it was all done in good taste and the bars were safe – as we all hope Hen Island will be one day."
Oh.....My bad! ..But, I thought I WAS addressing Mr. Floatie...I didn't mention Mr. Tartaglione in my little note, did I ?...Enjoy your "favorite holiday"..Actually, I never realized Halloween is a holiday...I'm learning a great deal from you, Mr. Floatie...hummm....But, I can see why it would be a favorite time for you.....LOTS of FREE toilet paper !!
Posted by: Michael Johnson | October 19, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Although I am bi-partisan and I have been known to “go with the flow”, I have been watching the political arena with great interest. Fortunately, I did have the occasion to watch the most recent debate at one of my supporter’s homes. I apologize if I seem to be plagiarizing one of Senator McCain's comments but if you want to address Ray Tartaglione, you should address him directly. I am not Ray Tartaglione. I am Mr. Floatie. I would however, like to address your comments, if you don’t mind. It’s not "All about meeting Chicks”. It’s about health, safety and the environment. It is about protecting the Long Island Sound so that our children, grandchildren and future generations can enjoy the waters as we have when we were growing up. It’s about enforcing the laws that are put into place to protect the people and the environment. It’s about a Mayor (Steven Otis), a Deputy Health Commissioner (Lenny Meyerson) and all the others involved in this despicable cover-up. It is about a community that you are a part of that consistently refuses to act responsibly.
Mr. Johnson, you should be ashamed of yourself for protecting and contributing to the pollution. I, sir am just a turd that “walks a fine brown line between raising awareness and causing a stink”, and what you see are “some of the stools of my trade” used to bring attention to this travesty occurring in our beautiful, home town of Rye, NY.
I will have dinner or drinks with anyone who is willing to listen to my cause. I will tell my story over and over again to anyone who will listen. I will come to your home and speak. I will sit in the park with your wife and grown children, if they are willing to listen. I will come to your birthday party as a surprise guest, if you or your guests will listen to my short speech about a very dangerous and unfriendly, environmental community. It will be all in “good clean fun”, in an effort to spread the word about www.HEALtheHARBOR.com.
It doesn’t make a difference to me if you are a male or female for I am a turd and do not have a gender. I am from everyone, and "if you are from Hen Island, I am surely from you". There is however, “a methane to my madness”! It is my wish that one day I may find a home in the sewer where I belong. It is lonely and getting cold swimming in the waters off of Rye. I would like to be contained with others of my own kind where we can all be "treated" appropriately.
“I have to go”. I hope you are looking forward to a Happy Halloween. This is my favorite holiday of the year! Thank you for listening and I do hope that one day you will understand.
Mr. Floatie
(The Friendly Poo)
Posted by: Mr. Floatie | October 18, 2008 at 12:13 PM
BRILLIANT !!! Ahh, Mr. Floatie..you devil, you....It's all about meeting chicks !! BRILLIANT !! Now I get it.....
Posted by: Michael Johnson | October 17, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Karen,
I am a little confused. Do you think I was so cute at the City Council meeting? Or did you think my invitation for drinks was so cute? Or both?
Posted by: Mr. Floatie | October 16, 2008 at 11:00 PM
that was so cute
Posted by: karen | October 15, 2008 at 08:35 PM