This newspaper is not in favor of stunts that put both the daredevil and rescuers in danger. So we hope that the governor and State Legislature thought it through thoroughly before giving the green light to Nik Wallenda’s plan to walk a wire across Niagara Falls.

The legislation sponsored by Republican Sen. George D. Maziarz of Newfane directs the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to allow Wallenda to anchor one end of his wire on Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park. He still needs Canadian approval for the other end of the wire.

While Wallenda may have the “unconditional support” of Niagara Falls, Ont., Mayor Jim Diodati and Ontario Parliament member Kim Craitor, he still needs the approval of the Niagara Parks Commission.

The argument for allowing this stunt is simple: It would boost tourism to the falls. The stunt itself would draw thou-sands to the falls, and news coverage of the event would provide free publicity around the world.

Wallenda proposes to be a a modern-day version of the “Great Blondin” a century and a half after that daredevil’s tightrope walks across the gorge. In this age of 24-hour news channels and viral YouTube videos, the images would be projected worldwide.

In addition, Wallenda’s inevitable tour of the morning and late-night talk shows would add to the hype.

The arguments against Wallenda are many, starting with the question of whether such a publicity stunt diminishes the grandeur of one of the wonders of the world.

Related posts:

1. Wallenda to meet with park, city officials about performance over gorge From the Niagara Gazette: Nik Wallenda is scheduled to meet...
2. Crossing Niagara, the return journey From The Independent (in the UK): It takes a cool...
3. Should experienced high-wire walker be allowed to cross the falls? From the Niagara Falls Review: Since he was a boy...

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A new stairway will descend into the Niagara Gorge from a scenic overlook near the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge under a plan to enhance trails and viewpoints at three points in Niagara Falls and Lewiston.

The new stairs will descend about 300 feet to a second overlook above the lower Niagara River, said Edward Alkiewicz, licensing manager for the New York Power Authority.

“The main focus and feature of this project is to have another spot in the gorge where people can relatively easily — because of the construction of a new trail and stair system—get into the bottom of the gorge,” said Albert J. Nihill, associate landscape architect for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Related posts:

1. Eco-touring the Niagara River watershed From the Buffalo News: Hiking the Niagara River Gorge trail,...
2. Group wants to remove part of Robert Moses Parkway From the Buffalo News: An environmental group wants to use...
3. Gorge wall gets a spring tune-up From the Niagara Falls Review: It’s a job with a...

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