The Tennessee American Water Company facility in Chattanooga is shown in this aerial file photograph.WATER PAC DONATIONSMoney given to Chattanooga mayor and council candidates this campaign season by Tennessee American Water’s political action committee:* Mayoral candidate Andy Berke: $1,800* District 2 candidate Roger Tuder: $500* District 3 Councilwoman Pam Ladd: $500* District 6 Councilman Russell Gilbert: $500* District 8 candidate Moses Freeman: $500Source: Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign FinanceELECTION DAYPolls will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
A 2-year-old political action committee formed by Tennessee American Water is putting money to Chattanooga’s mayor and council races.
The Tennessee Valley Water Alliance has given almost $4,000 to mayoral candidate Andy Berke and four council candidates, state records show.
“As an investor-owned water utility provider, we want to support individuals who we believe support issues and ideals in the best interest of our customers, environment and local economy,” Laura Vinson, spokeswoman for Tennessee American Water, said this week.
Vinson said Tennessee American has done business in Chattanooga for 126 years and has more than 78,000 Chattanooga customers. She said the company expects no favoritism because of the contributions.