Nik Wallenda accused Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster of engaging in a “petty war of words” over an alleged $25,000 owed to the city for providing services for his high-wire act back in June.

To rewind a bit: Dyster says there was an agreement between the city and the daredevil requires Wallenda to fork over thousands of dollars in emergency services and other infrastructure requirements paid out by the city for Wallenda’s tightrope walk across the falls in June.

The mayor claims the measure approved by the state Legislature that gave Wallenda the go-ahead for the stunt provided that the promoters and organizers would cover all the costs (The Niagara Falls council actually voted to forgive Wallenda of any costs, but that hasn’t made Dyster to stop raising the issue).

Wallenda this morning released a statement through his PR rep that is rather scathing in his assessment of the mayor.

“Sadly, instead of reveling in the worldwide success of an unprecedented event for the city he represents, Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster has chosen to engage in a petty war of words. Let me be perfectly clear – there is not a contract with the city, and there never has been a contract with the city. My contract was with New York State, and I have fulfilled each and every obligation of that contract, fiduciary or otherwise, one hundred percent. In fact, I publicly challenge Mr. Dyster to provide a copy of this supposed contract with the city to anyone who wishes to review it.”

He goes to add that Dyster was pretty much disengaged from the planning of the event and says his public comments on the dispute are “unfortunate.”

“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.”

Regardless of the cash owed, the nationally televised event no doubt brought the city untold millions in free press and publicity

Share|