From the Niagara Falls Review:
Both Nik Wallenda and the Niagara Parks Commission are digging in their heels.
Wallenda wants to be the first person in more than a century to walk across the Niagara gorge on a tightrope. The Commission seems determined not to let it happen.
The performer was in Niagara Falls Wednesday morning to make his pitch to the Commission’s public meeting. He’s already received approval for the tightrope walk from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and he has the support of Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati. But without the blessing of the Parks Commission and its chair Janice Thomson, the tightrope walk – as Wallenda wants it – can’t happen.
With permission already granted from New York State, Wallenda said the option is there to walk across the American falls. But it’s the international crossing over the Horseshoe Falls he really wants.
However, the Niagara Parks Commission banned stunting over the falls more than a century ago, and hasn’t budged since.
“We can listen to Mr. Wallenda and listen to his proposal, but (the Niagara Parks Act) is the guiding document for us,” said Thomson.