Public restroom advocate appearing at area schools

Thilo Panzerbieter, executive director of the German Toilet Organization, is speaking at several DeKalb schools this week, including a debate 7-8 p.m. Tuesday at Arabia Mountain High, 6610 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia.

The debate with Arabia students centers on the question, should towel dispensers be replaced with air dryers. Panzerbieter will also appear Wednesday at Clarkston High School and Friday at Decatur’s Renfroe Middle School and the 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue, speaking on the importance of public-restroom hygiene.

Panzerbieter has often collaborated on projects with longtime Decatur resident Dr. Tom Keating, who was instrumental in getting a clean bathroom ordinance passed by DeKalb County last year.