Tuesday night was Tamaqua Borough Council's third annual participation in the "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" event, a precursor to the actual event which will be held in Pottsville on Thursday. Each male member of council and borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt sported an outrageous pair of high-heeled shoes, paraded into the meeting, then wore them for the duration of the meeting.

The event, which is held to benefit the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center of Schuylkill County, features a milelong walk in high heels for "those 'MAN ENOUGH' to take a stand against sexual violence."Council President Micah Gursky said that violent and sexual crimes against women have a great impact on the community, however, such issues can be difficult to discuss."You can't pick up the newspaper without reading about something awful or terrible happening. It happens all over, it happens all the time, but unfortunately, we've all been raised not to talk about it. This is a way, a silly way, to start the conversation," he said.In other business, council approved the annual Memorial Day parade to be held at 10 a.m. May 25.Steigerwalt advised council that one demolition project has been started at 216 Pitt St., with several others to start in the next few weeks. The borough will also hold its first CDBG fund hearing for 2015 on May 5, before the regular meeting. "We don't need a list of projects," Steigerwalt said. "We just need to start throwing out some ideas."Collin Leibensperger was hired as a part-time police officer.The Bungalow pool staff was also hired. Matthew Stanek was hired as the assistant pool manager at a rate of $12.50 per hour. Emily Bumbulsky was hired as the senior lifeguard at a rate of $10 per hour, when she is acting as pool manager. Sage Frey, Beth Fritzinger-Jones, Brianna Heck and Emily Wenzel were hired as clerks. Earl Akins, Allison Amodea, Emily Bumbulsky, Joann Butkus, Ethan Eberts, Chelsea Frantz, Zander Goetz, Amber Gulick, Kayla Holland, Melanie Kostecky, Victoria Labar, John Ritzko, Olivia Stanek, Nathan Steigerwalt, Chance Szabo, Savannah Szabo, Benjamin Turrano and Gage Whalen were hired as lifeguards.Councilman Dan Evans advised council that the F550 pickup has been ordered and a CAP wheel loader has been agreed upon. Parts for the street sweeper have been ordered and the machine will be back in service as soon as the work is completed. It was also determined that the ladder truck will require eight new tires to pass inspection, and council approved the purchase. Steigerwalt said he will be shopping around for the lowest price on the tires.Evans also reminded residents there is a burn ban in place and it should be followed.Council held an executive session to discuss real estate.