Asbestos and Massena Central School District

The following information was reported by the Watertown Daily Times. According to James A. Farbotnik, the owner of CyberWorldUSA, the Massena Central School District and its Board of Education have been covering up the presence of asbestos, especially in Jefferson Elementary School. He has children who attend the school.

As part of an effort to publicize his asbestos fears, Mr. Farbotnik has begun hanging a series of banners on the side of his downtown building.

Mr. Farbotnik fought a battle with the village six years ago over signs on the side of his building. In a 2002 compromise with the village Zoning Board of Appeals, he was allowed a 3-foot-high by 15-foot-long permanent sign on the south side of his building. He had asked for a 4-foot by 16-foot sign, but board members considered that too large and said that it contained too much information, so it would distract passing motorists' attention.

He also was allowed to hang banners on the side of the building, which he used to advertise the fact that he refurbishes used computers, which he then gives away to children as learning tools.

However, last year, he began using the banners to advertise his allegations against the school district and point viewers to his Internet site, which includes information that he claims proves a cover-up over asbestos.