A new website - www.theyfailwepay.com - has been launched that seeks to stop the Chattanooga Electric Power Board from launching a cable television venture.
A TV ad promoting the site says it is by the Tennessee Cable Telecommunications Association.
The website has a section for citizens to sign a petition to the City Council.
The online petition says:
"Members of the Chattanooga City Council,
"I am petitioning you today in hopes that you will tell EPB that their cable and Internet plan is not the best course for the residents of Chattanooga.
"We all believe that competition is a good thing, but not at the expense of taxpayers. And at a time when energy costs are climbing, I cannot in good conscience let the EPB cable and Internet plan go unchallenged."
The City Council earlier approved the $210 million fiber optic plan. EPB officials said they hope to be signing up cable TV customers by the end of the year.
The website seeking to stop the venture claims taxpayers will pay if the EPB effort fails.
It also says EPB has lost $15 million on a telecom (phone and Internet) venture and not made any principal on a $28 million loan to start that effort.
The site says, "They fail, we pay. That is what's at stake in the EPB cable and Internet debate in Chattanooga.
"EPB would like to build a network and go into the cable and Internet business. Tennessee law is clear: public electric revenues cannot be used to subsidize cable and Internet operations. EPB is using an electric bond to finance the construction of the network. As such, we believe EPB is not following the rules and their decision to build the cable and Internet network is being challenged in court.
"What's more is that a similar communications and Internet project was attempted by the city of Memphis and failed costing electric customers money. Chattanooga can't afford the same type of mistake.
"Finally, EPB's financial record with new businesses is less than stellar. EPB's Telecom division has lost millions and has yet to make a single principal payment on the $28 million they borrowed for their phone business.
"Simply put, EPB's plan and track-record is in question and, if they fail, we pay in higher electric bills.
"So please spend some time getting the facts on EPB and consider signing the petition on this page that we will submit to the Chattanooga City Council in hopes they might think twice about their cable and Internet plan."