State Senator George Maiziarz is strongly backing Daredevil Nik Wallenda in his ongoing war of words with Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster.  Dyster says Wallenda owes the city $25,000 in emergency services and other infrastructure requirements paid out by the city for Wallenda’s tightrope walk across Niagara Falls in June.

“You know the event went so well. It’s very clear the state supported it and the Canadians supported it very much,” said Maiziarz. “The only one who was negative about it from the very beginning was Mayor Dyster. And then of course he was there to take a lot of credit for it after it was over. It was a huge success. And the city did a great job. And out of nowhere this bill for $25,000 appears.”

Wallenda made a $17,500 donation to the city, but Dyster claimed the total cost for public safety was about $42,000, leaving about $25,000 unpaid.

“I think Nik felt that he was being very generous when he gave the city a check for $17,500 which he was not obligated to do. Which was more than Niagara Falls, Ontario which had many more people,” said Maiziarz.

Last week the Niagara Falls City Council passed a resolution to throw out the $25,000 bill, but Dyster said he could not simply forgive the debt and needed a ruling from the New York State Comptroller’s Office.

Wallenda reacted to Dyster’s unwillingness to throw the debt out in a statement through a PR rep late Sunday Night.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Dyster’s actions come as no surprise. In the many months of discussions, meetings, and negotiations that were necessary to move the process forward, Paul Dyster did not participate once, despite the fact that he was invited to participate time and time again. He didn’t return phone calls, he didn’t attend meetings, and he didn’t provide requested information about the city.

In fact, Mr. Dyster continuously displayed a strong disdain for the idea of the wire walk, despite the fact that it would shine a worldwide spotlight on a city in desperate need for some positive publicity, and often expressed his disdain publicly. I found this highly unnerving, especially since he did not have the courtesy to address his concerns with me and my team directly, despite being given multiple opportunities to do so.”


Maiziarz said he understands Wallenda’s frustration, “Apparently he met with the City of Niagara Falls right up until the end and I think in a state of exasperation he gave the city what he thought was a fair amount of money.  And then he received this bill for what I believe was an additional $25,000.”

Maizarz hopes this dispute doesn’t sour Wallenda on the area.

“What I’m more interested in doing is focusing on getting Nik to come back here next summer. To have some sort entertainment venue here, on a temporary basis next summer, and after that on a more permanent basis.”

Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster was not available for comment Monday.

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