Kerry and Billy Garber, siblings from Tamaqua, may be confined to wheelchairs, but both lead active lives and are routinely out and about in the borough. However, the community is not always a friendly place for them to navigate.

The duo attended Tuesday’s meeting of Tamaqua Borough Council, presenting photos of over 40 trouble spots in the community. Kerry Garber said they cannot maneuver due to poorly maintained sidewalks, overgrown bushes, and areas that have not been maintained according to ADA standards.She said she has brought these issues to the borough before, but to date nothing has been done. The photos displayed by her brother show uneven and cracked sidewalks and areas where bushes have grown over the sidewalk, leaving less than 3 feet of passable room.She said most motorized chairs can overcome a 2-inch difference, but more than that can burn out the motor of the chair.Her brother pointed out that some of the differences in sidewalk levels exceed 4 inches.Kerry Garber said many of these conditions are unsafe for everyone in the community, not just her and her brother.She also added that in some cases it is necessary for her to travel out into the street to get through certain areas and that she has been stopped by the police who have asked her to get back on the sidewalk.Council agreed to look into the matter and refer it to code enforcement.“There should be no impediment for anyone in this town to get where they are going,” said Council President David Mace.Billy Garber also asked the borough to consider acquiring a new lift for the pool.He said the current one only goes up to 250 pounds and asked them to consider one with a greater capacity.Council said it will look into the matter.