From water problems to city resignations, Trinidad faces cascade of crises

Three Trinidad city officials resigned last week and the Texas Rangers have launched an investigation after an area resident filed a complaint with the law enforcement agency amid concerns about discolored water coming from the rural Texas town’s pipes.

The Texas Rangers launched their probe after nearby resident Jennifer Combs, who was arrested after highlighting the water problems online, asked them to look into the matter. The agency, which commonly conducts investigations on violent crime, public corruption, cold cases and officer-involved shootings, did not comment on whether Combs’ complaint sparked the investigation.

Attorney CJ Grisham represents Combs and several Trinidad residents who have filed lawsuits against the city over water and civil issues. Grisham said he helped Combs file a criminal complaint for official oppression and abuse of public office that he said prompted the Texas Rangers’ investigation. 

“I hope the facts come out and if the Texas Rangers find criminal activity, I hope that they prosecute these people to the greatest extent of the law, the way that they tried to do with my clients,” Grisham said.

Meanwhile, City Manager Cynthia Dosier, City Clerk Sandra Rojas and Municipal Judge Susan Carver all quit amid the turmoil Thursday, and have since been replaced by interim workers. 

Dosier wrote a resignation letter that was taped to the inside window of City Hall in which she described the city council as a “circus.” In the letter, which was sent to The Dallas Morning News, Dosier said she resigned because of Trinidad Mayor Dennis Haws’ leadership and what she described as threats from another council member.

“When I arrived [to the City Council] I found a hostile mayor who resented the council because they had power,” the letter from Dosier read.

Haws did not respond to interview requests. But in a Facebook post addressing the resignations Thursday, Haws reassured residents of the 860-person city that he was working with the Texas Municipal League to hire temporary employees and gain advice on how to govern the city amidst these issues.

“I know this is more inconvenience on top of what our citizens have already endured, however, I assure you we will take the time to go through this process correctly and not rush into a decision,” Haws wrote.

The turmoil comes as the city has been grappling with the water supply concerns, prompting the state to issue a report criticizing the city’s poor infrastructure and water quality. For months, Trinidad residents have watched water in hues from yellow to chocolate brown flow from their faucets with little response, they say, from city officials. 

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s investigation into Trinidad’s public water system, released on July 2, was conducted from May 15 to 29, after two residents complained about the discolored water. 

TCEQ reported that Trinidad’s public water system had several equipment design issues that may have contributed to the discolored water by preventing effective water circulation. The investigation also found that Trinidad has failed to conduct required routine water sampling to ensure disinfectants remain effective. 

TCEQ previously investigated Trinidad’s discolored water in April and May, which led to a free chlorine conversion to help cleanse the pipes of any bacteria.

Trinidad resident Steven Stearman was elected to the city council on June 18 after experiencing the water-quality issues and engaging the council about the problems. He said he was not surprised by TCEQ’s findings. 

“There’s a lot of things wrong with the place, but those items that are in the water have been concerning the whole entire time. It’s not something we didn’t expect,” Stearman said about the TCEQ report.

TCEQ gave Trinidad a deadline of Aug. 3 to provide a plan with proposed actions to correct the alleged violations on water quality.