From the Buffalo News:
Nik Wallenda’s wire-walk made history and brought Niagara Falls worldwide publicity, but it also cost the two cities tens of thousands in public safety expenses.
Wallenda has paid roughly half the tab on each side of the border, but the cities are taking two different approaches on collecting the remainder of the bill.
Niagara Falls, Ont., is willing to forget about $10,000 in outstanding costs, citing the positive worldwide publicity the wire-walk brought.
But officials on the cash-strapped American side say Wallenda still owes them $25,000, and they want the money.
“It’s just disgusting and sad,” Wallenda told The Buffalo News on Thursday. “This was a great thing for the area, all the money that it brought into the area. [They] gave me a key to the city, and now they want to ask for more money?”
See also:
- Associated Press (via Yahoo! News) – Niagara Falls, NY, wants daredevil Wallenda to pay