Wallenda Dunned for Niagara Falls Police, Fire Overtime

Wallenda over Niagara.
Any resemblance to Mitt Romney's tax accountant
is purely coincidental.
(photo from the Washington Post)

Nik Wallenda might find walking over Niagara Falls easier than dealing with the eponymous city's political administration. Niagara Falls, NY's mayor is attempting to compel the performer to pay $25,000 for police and fire department overtime services rendered during Wallenda's recent tightrope act over the world's most famous waterfall. According to a story in today's online edition of The New York Times, the dispute has become increasingly contentious, with the city wanting cash and Wallenda offering the benefits of free publicity.

Niagara Falls could use plenty of both. Instead, it's cash poor and generating the wrong kind of publicity. Why the city administration can't simply bask in the glory of Wallenda's stunt is puzzling. That would be too simple and too sensible. Instead, the mayor is hounding Wallenda for a sum equal to the price of a cheap new car. There must be better things to do.

Wallenda High-Wire Act Across Niagara Falls Gets Canadian OK

Blondin carrying his manager
across the Niagara River, 1869

Nik Wallenda will be bringing his high-wire act to Niagara Falls later this year.

According to a Reuters report picked up by Yahoo News, Canada's Niagara Parks Commission recently approved Wallenda's request to perform the stunt. Months ago, New York governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation permitting a one-time Niagara performance.

Wallenda's intention is to cross directly over the falls, rather than the gorge, where previous high-wire crossings have been attempted.

Expect an enormous media buildup and carnival-like flavor of its coverage of the Wallenda crossing. It will be interesting to note what prime event seats or standing room areas will cost. I will be quite curious what "oddsmakers" will post for Wallenda's safe passage over mighty Niagara.