Pelham warns of water scam

Monday night’s Warren County Commission meeting featured a somewhat bizarre situation concerning a possible phone scam involving the Harrison Ferry water project reported to County Executive John Pelham during the meeting.

‘Something that has troubled me greatly was told to me during the break,’ said Pelham after returning from a 10-minute break. ‘And I would like to make this statement publicly tonight for the benefit of all of our commissioners and for the benefit of the media here tonight.

‘I had an individual share with me during the break that he had been called at his home and the phone call was soliciting money on behalf of the Harrison Ferry water project,’ Pelham said, ‘and that it was a fundraising drive.’

Pelham stated emphatically this was a total scam.

‘We are not soliciting money,’ Pelham said. ‘This is a scam. Ladies and gentlemen, please let the people in your districts know this: There is no money, zero dollars, being requested from anyone in Warren County for this project. So if you hear of anyone receiving this phone call, it is a scam. We definitely need to get the word out and make everyone aware of this.’

Tennessee lawmakers recently appropriately $1.5 million in state budget money to the project that will pump water atop Harrison Ferry Mountain. The project involves two pumping stations, 12-inch pipe, and a water tower atop the mountain.

The balance of the funds for the $3.7 million project are expected to come from federal and state grants. Warren County Utility District had expected to borrow $1 million to help fund the project, but the utility district may only have to supply half of that money now.