In this June 15, 2012 photo provided by ABC, aerialist Nik Wallenda raises a fist over the brink of the Niagara Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, ABC, Donna Svennevik
July 24, 2012 - 10:39 AM
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - Daredevil Nik Wallenda could be a step closer to getting out of paying about $25,000 owed to the city of Niagara Falls after last month's tightrope walk over the falls.
The Niagara Falls City Council on Monday passed a resolution directing Mayor Paul Dyster to stop efforts to collect the debt incurred by Wallenda for police and fire overtime for the June 15 stunt.
According to the Niagara Gazette, which first reported the development, the council chairman said the city looked "like a bunch of idiots to the world" because it was trying to collect the debt.
But Dyster says he doesn't have the authority to "gift" public funds. It wasn't immediately clear if he would follow the council directive.
The mayor was not immediately available for comment Tuesday.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012