Hamilton County Commissioners Discuss Taking Over Tenn-Am at Wednesday's Meeting
Would the Tennessee American Water Company be more efficient if it the County operated it?
That was one question posed Wednesday by Hamilton County Commissioners.
Tenn-Am has requested a 20.59% rate hike, citing increased cost.
Representatives from the group, Fight the Hike, spoke to commissioners in opposition to the request.
Some commissioners suggested Tenn-Am should be run by local government.
Commissioner Warren Mackey said, "I would be very much interested in looking to see if the city of Chattanooga and perhaps the Hamilton County government might, as relates to this utility, do the same thing we've done with the Electric Power Board. That is, that we would look into whether it is feasible and justifiable for us to take ownership of the Tennessee American Water Company."
Commissioner John Allen Brooks said, "I actually got a call yesterday about this very issue and said is there anything you can do to help? You know, we're gonna obviously run into this time after time after time unless we assert ownership of this."
It's not a new concept.
Jon Kinsey tried to take over the water company when he was mayor of Chattanooga.. But failed.
And Ron Littlefield has also talked about trying to buy Tenn-Am.
John Allen Brooks and Warren
Submitted by Guest (not verified) on August 21, 2008 - 12:24pm.
John Allen Brooks and Warren Mackey think that government can run a utility better than a private organization.
Correct me if I am wrong, but is TVA not a pseudo-private government entity? Have they not raised rates three times already this year? Are rates that TVA passes down not directly responsible for rate increases from other utilities, both publicly and privately owned.
Hopefully these commissioners are just bloviating for the benefit of constituents and have no real intent on moving forward with taking over the water company. We’ve been down that road before and all the city got was a million dollars poorer.
» reply | email this page
Post new comment
Recent blog posts
- Look Out Below! NASA Astronaunt Lets Toolbag Get Lost In Space
- Local High School Football Worth Watching This Friday
- 11/19/08 Lookout Valley Elementary
- From the Archive: On The Road Again with Charles Kuralt
- Mike Leach Offered UT Job?
- INTERVIEW: "Big Bang" Stars Johnny Galecki & Jim Parsons Chat About Sheldon & Leonard
- Video of Girl Falling Through Fence Raises Questions About Bluff Safety Here At Home
- Vols Dominate Mocs
- Celebrities WE Care About: Deborah Norville, JR Martinez, Bernie Mac, Randy Owen & the 50 Cent Connection
- 11/14/08 This Week's Garden of the Week!
AP News Video
Recent comments
- Oops!
11 hours 16 min ago - If you want to complain so
11 hours 26 min ago - "In mid 2006 I had been
12 hours 12 min ago - Crazy indeed...
12 hours 16 min ago - stimulus check
14 hours 42 min ago - Chasier =/= Cashier
16 hours 44 min ago - Well
17 hours 49 min ago - Does anyone else know anyone
17 hours 51 min ago - Guys it's a blog
18 hours 7 min ago - Resond to obviously
18 hours 26 min ago
Government Takeover?
John Allen Brooks and Warren Mackey think that government can run a utility better than a private organization.
Correct me if I am wrong, but is TVA not a pseudo-private government entity? Have they not raised rates three times already this year? Are rates that TVA passes down not directly responsible for rate increases from other utilities, both publicly and privately owned.
Hopefully these commissioners are just bloviating for the benefit of constituents and have no real intent on moving forward with taking over the water company. We’ve been down that road before and all the city got was a million dollars poorer.