NY lawmakers weigh request for Niagara Falls stunt - more than 100 years since anyone has tightrope walked Niagara Gorge -
Supporters say it would bring tourism and publicity to Niagara Falls, help the economically troubled city and carry on a fascinating tradition of death-defying stuntsmanship at the thundering waterfalls straddling the United States and Canada.
Jean Francois Gravelot — “the Great Blondin” — was the first to cross the gorge on a wire, back in 1859. But it’s been more than 100 years since anyone has repeated the now-illegal feat.
“Daredevils and their exploits are a big part of the storied history of Niagara Falls,” reads a memo filed with the Assembly bill sponsored by western New York Democrat Dennis Gabryszak.
“It has been many years since anyone has been able to follow in the footsteps of the Great Blondin,” the memo says. “In the meantime, tourism in Niagara Falls has declined on the American side, as the Falls was separated from its daredevil history.”
As recently as 2007, “Skywalker” Jay Cochrane has sought permission to cross the gorge at the brink of the falls. He also was turned down in 1996. Parks officials in the United States and Canada have cited concerns about safety, cost and environmental impact, which are the basis for strict policies against stunting and daredevil acts at the falls.
The pending legislation would direct the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to write rules and regulations specifically allowing Nik Wallenda, a member of the famed “Flying Wallendas,” to traverse the gorge before Aug. 30. Wallenda would bear all safety, security and other costs and release the state from responsibility should something go wrong.
“Mr. Wallenda is uniquely qualified for this feat, as he is the holder of two world records for high wire performance and is a seventh-generation tightrope walker,” according to the bill, which was sponsored in the Senate by Republican George Maziarz.
Gabryszak was hopeful the Assembly would vote on the legislation
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bronx/ny_lawmakers_mull_request_for_niagara_X0Kq56Z96w9V7mhiF0p5kL#ixzz1PxdKnp6X
Supporters say it would bring tourism and publicity to Niagara Falls, help the economically troubled city and carry on a fascinating tradition of death-defying stuntsmanship at the thundering waterfalls straddling the United States and Canada.
Jean Francois Gravelot — “the Great Blondin” — was the first to cross the gorge on a wire, back in 1859. But it’s been more than 100 years since anyone has repeated the now-illegal feat.
“Daredevils and their exploits are a big part of the storied history of Niagara Falls,” reads a memo filed with the Assembly bill sponsored by western New York Democrat Dennis Gabryszak.
“It has been many years since anyone has been able to follow in the footsteps of the Great Blondin,” the memo says. “In the meantime, tourism in Niagara Falls has declined on the American side, as the Falls was separated from its daredevil history.”
As recently as 2007, “Skywalker” Jay Cochrane has sought permission to cross the gorge at the brink of the falls. He also was turned down in 1996. Parks officials in the United States and Canada have cited concerns about safety, cost and environmental impact, which are the basis for strict policies against stunting and daredevil acts at the falls.
The pending legislation would direct the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to write rules and regulations specifically allowing Nik Wallenda, a member of the famed “Flying Wallendas,” to traverse the gorge before Aug. 30. Wallenda would bear all safety, security and other costs and release the state from responsibility should something go wrong.
“Mr. Wallenda is uniquely qualified for this feat, as he is the holder of two world records for high wire performance and is a seventh-generation tightrope walker,” according to the bill, which was sponsored in the Senate by Republican George Maziarz.
Gabryszak was hopeful the Assembly would vote on the legislation
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bronx/ny_lawmakers_mull_request_for_niagara_X0Kq56Z96w9V7mhiF0p5kL#ixzz1PxdKnp6X
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