By Mark Archibald
The Trinidad City Council, after hearing statements from 2 candidates who applied for the appointment, voted to appoint Steven Stearman to fill the vacant council seat Thursday.
The decision was very much a split vote – with Trinidad Mayor Dennis Haws casting the vote to break the tie between the two candidates.
“We have two qualified candidates,” said Mayor Haws.
Jason Tatom spoke about the values and positive example as the primary reason he wanted to be on the city council, he also said it was an opportunity to learn more.
Tatom, an Army veteran, said he would run for the council seat in November.
Stearman said he would fix the basic services first.
“People should be able to trust that they can turn on their faucets and not have the water look like the Red River. I will review the facts and listen to the residents,” he said.
Jeremy Crocker, owner of Aqua Services, is a contractor placed in charge of Trinidad’s water and wastewater system and NOT an actual employee of the city.
Crocker stated that it would cost $19,761 after three years to buy equipment to replace obsolete equipment.
The cost would be approximately $1,600 monthly.
The price does not include chemical price increases.
The council approved the purchase of a turbidity and chlorine meters to replace those that are broken.
The council also moved to accept the resignation of Trinidad Police Chief Charles Gregory who resigned in early June.
During a lengthy public comment portion of Thursday’s meeting residents questioned council members about the city’s handling of the water quality situation, the council vacancy, as well as the concerns about the potential encroachment of data centers.
The council then named current Trinidad Police Investigator Cameron Beckham as the city’s interim Police Chief.
The 4-1 vote to appoint Beckham, followed an Executive Session.
Beckham, named in the pending lawsuit for misleading a Henderson County District Judge ultimately resulting in the arrest warrant of Jennifer Combs.
The council also agreed to create a water infrastructure advisory committee.
The Trinidad City Council meets monthly on the Third Thursday at 6 p.m. inside City Hall chambers located at 100 Park Street in Trinidad.
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