Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

— Romans 13:1

###

Without understanding some of the cultural context and original language, we’ve seen the biblical passage of Romans 13 used many times over by governments to justify horrific action towards often marginalized people under their care. It’s been used to justify apartheid, the holocaust, slavery and genocide, as if these actions are condoned by God. In 2018, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions used Romans 13 in a statement to keep undocumented immigrants out of our country, basically referring to our government as the highest authority, demanding compliance. And given the way this chapter is written, taking it at face value and as a proof-text, it makes sense to use it in this way: What the government says goes, and godly people should never rise up against it, question its validity or protest injustice done by our government or politicians because they are instituted by God.

But what about rebellious people like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Christian man who tried to stop Hitler through an assassination plot? Or Daniel in the Bible rebelling against Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar? Or the magi never returning to King Herod when told to? Or when the apostles were given strict orders from the government to not preach about Jesus, but they rebelled and Peter answered the leaders: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” Throughout scripture and in history, there are many moments when rebelling against sanctioned injustice is the better and more God-honoring way.

Paul wrote this letter during a time of major persecution towards Christians and marginalized people under the government. For Jews and Christians alike, the Roman government would be known to stop rumored rebellions by going into towns or villages, rounding up some of their leaders, and crucifying them on the hills near the towns just so everyone would know how Rome kept the peace. Huge taxes, government corruption, and violent policing blanketed the lands. Further, Paul wrote while Nero was emperor. Nero came to power at 16 years old and was violently cruel. A few years after he took the throne, he blamed Christians for a massive fire in Rome, using this excuse for capital punishment against the Christians by crucifying them, feeding them to the lions or burning them alive.

Paul knew how abhorrent this government often was. Paul didn’t write these words flippantly and certainly didn’t mean for us to use them in ways to justify government oppression or violence.

So how are we to read and interpret scriptures like these? One of the most important things to notice, right from the start, is that Paul doesn’t mention gospel work anywhere in this section. So to take these words and assume they are a part of “good news” is the incorrect thing to do. These words aren’t God’s eternal truths, but they can help Christians live out God’s eternal truths. This section is really about how we live out God’s way through kindness, compassion and love for all, even for our enemies, while this world is often evil and people need to be held accountable for the evil they do. If Jesus Christ calls Christians to love their neighbors, share with the poor, practice radical hospitality, show non-violent resistance and live in unity, what does that mean when a child is trafficked or a woman is raped or Tyre Nichols gets beaten to death by police officers?

Paul seems to suggest that the fallible governmental powers are not held to the same standards as Christians are and God uses those powers, at times, to administer justice.

The word for “established” in the first verse is “hypotasso” which is usually translated into English as “submit” or “be subject to.” “Submit,” here, doesn’t mean loyal obedience and allegiance to our governing authorities. It doesn’t even mean patriotism or national pride. And it certainly doesn’t mean that Christians are to take up the initiative to become the governing authorities, like Christian domination or nationalism (which is NOT Christian).

Hypotasso means “to file.” Like a librarian’s job to file books. They don’t have to like the book, they may even hate it, but they know where it’s supposed to go and it’s their job to get it there.

The writer, Paul, purposefully removes this section from gospel language. (For the word-nerds: “hypotasso” is not “to obey” because that word is “hypakouo.” which he uses in conjunction with how Christians are to live with God. “Hypotasso” is not meaning a type of loyalty, because that word is “pistis” and Paul uses this in conjunction with how Christians are to live with their Messiah. “Hypotasso” is not meaning to sacrifice yourself, because that word is “thysia,” and Paul uses that in conjunction with what it means for Christians to have an embodied faith with their bodies as living sacrifices.)

Romans 13 is Paul writing liberation over these early Christians living in an impossible political time. This is liberating because these Christians owe their government nothing! They can trust God is at work in the world, even in corrupt places where evil exists.

To trust God in the political realm is a relief because we can release our obsessive anxiety with what’s happening through every presidency and change. We get to instead vote for policies and people. We care about our elected officials, pray for them, hold them accountable, and want the best for them and for our country. We won’t remove ourselves from the political realm or ignore the political realities of our country. We stay educated. We call our representatives and work to keep equality and equity intact. We care for the suffering and tangibly do justice for the love of our neighbors. Trusting God in the political realm means we get to focus our primary attention elsewhere, recognizing our anxious hand-wringing and pearl clutching won’t change the powers but standing next to the fearful suffering in our community will change our community.

For these Christians, Rome was often the enemy and Paul had the audacity to tell them to love their enemy. Paul acknowledged the real parts of life, showing them how to live as Jesus-people through every uncertainty and difficulty while seeking the good for their neighbor (Black, brown, white, indigenous, queer, disabled, atheist, religious, straight, undocumented, poor, homeless, wealthy, sick, healthy neighbor).

Part of seeking the good of your neighbor means we must stand against injustice and work for their good to help make systemic changes against any oppressive systems. When Jesus saw the leaders of his day using the temple in a way that further oppressed the poor in the community, Jesus protested. He turned over the tables and drove the money changers out. He caused a ruckus by making a political demonstration. And Paul, when he was arrested in Rome and getting beaten by the government officials, he cried out and advocated for his rights, asserting he was a Roman citizen and what the officials were doing was illegal.

Protesting against injustice can be good work. Writing letters to your government officials can be good work. Staying educated on historical and current issues is good work. Posting on social media about how furious you are about immigration or abortion or standing for Black Lives Matter can be good work. You name the wrong and you fight against injustice, but don’t let that fight be an excuse to remove yourself from actual relationships with the people who are suffering.

This is what I believe Paul is getting at in this section. There’s a real temptation to turn our attention to the fighting against a corrupt system that is too big to control or change while in the process, missing the real humans that are suffering from that system. We can feel good about this work, patting ourselves on the back while completely removed from the actual human beings we’re “fighting” for.

Paul’s like: Just trust God in the government and get to the real stuff of God in the streets! Stop focusing on the machine up there and start paying attention to the real people, your neighbors, down here!

What I find in this chapter is an invitation to live in the tension as people of God with an embodied faith. We’re to love our enemies and bring them water and food, caring for their physical well being. We’re to practice non-violent resistance, choosing not to retaliate or seek revenge. We’re to trust God is still at work. But even in that state of trust, there is tension because I might trust God but I don’t trust the government to always rule rightly and to always treat people with dignity. I don’t always trust the police to do the right thing of serving and protecting all people. I don’t always trust our elected officials to put their egos aside or not think about how to stay in power long enough to lead with compassion. So we protest, and write, and pray, and all the while keeping our gaze and focus on Jesus Christ while seeking the good of our neighbor who we actually know.

This is how we live as people of God in a corrupt world.

In Humboldt we are not new to protecting our environment, but have you ever thought about protecting the night sky from pollution? When nighttime light spills outside of areas we want to illuminate, it becomes light pollution. Bright lights left on at night can disrupt the circadian rhythms of people as well as urban-dwelling and migrating birds, bats, and even aquatic animals, particularly in rivers, estuaries and coastal areas.

Ruskin Hartley, CEO of DarkSky International, shares how his organization is helping to ensure that light is used respectfully and responsibly around the world. Join us for this discussion of the basics of light pollution.

Want to learn more? Check these out:

• New World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness
• Dark Sky International web page
• Light Pollution Fact Sheet by Humboldt Waterkeeper
• Why Should We Make Humboldt a Dark Sky County? by Sylvia van Royen, Humboldt Waterkeeper

The Great California gold rush was roaring on the Klamath, Salmon and Trinity Rivers by the 1850s. Miners were crowding into the drainages and canyons, highly excited in the search for the precious metal. Supplies to sustain life in the mining settlements were brought in solely by packers and their mule trains over long and hazardous trails carved from the wilderness.

The Humboldt Bay region became well-known as a supply center for the packers. Hundreds of loaded pack-mules arrived from and departed for the interior mines weekly — they left from places such as Humboldt City, Trinidad Bay, Union and Rohnerville.

This is a story of a mule-skinner of that period and of the packing venture to the Humboldt Bay area 123 years ago.

In early February 1856, we find George Bramlett in Weaverville, the owner of 30 head of fine pack animals, and several expert packers in his hire. The weather was beautiful — warm, clear, sunny skies — a touch of spring was about. Experienced mountaineers like Bramlett pondered if this might be the anticipated February “weather break.” ‘This stretch of good weather in the Pacific Northwest can last up to three weeks, then suddenly return to the normal weather pattern. If this was the winter “weather break,” Bramlett was contemplating on making a dash to the coast with his pack-train.

Mules laden with choice food items would bring premium prices from the miners, especially in the winter months when packing came to a virtual standstill. Bramlett decided that butter, eggs, buckwheat flour — all needs high in demand at mining camps — would make up his cargo on the return trip to the Trinity River.

Waiting several more days, with good weather still persisting, Bramlett decided the time was right. Rounding up his men, saddling the horses and outfitting the mules, a gamble was in the making. A race with the weather; if successful, handsome rewards were anticipated.

Bramlett wondered if the Eel River-Weaverville Trail would be open. Were the high passes plugged with deep snow? Were the rivers and creeks swollen, making fording dangerous? What were the chances of being ambushed by hostile Indians?

If trail conditions became severe, Bramlett reasoned, he could always turn back — nothing ventured, nothing gained. Two days later, Bramlett’s outfit plodded into Hyampom Valley via North Fork, Cox Bar, Corrall Bottom and Eltaponi Creek. In Hyampom, he was elated to hear that the high pass over the South Fork Range was open. Travelers reported deep snow, melting somewhat under sunny weather. Late the next day the snow pass over Blake Mountain in the South Fork Range was conquered. Traveling had been difficult for the mules in the deep snow.

Night fell and camp was made on Pilot Creek at a site now called Beckers Cabin on the western slope of the massive mountain. Deep snow was now behind them, however, other worries overtook them. Discussion in camp that night centered on the crossing Mad River into hostile Indian country in the vicinity of Showers Pass and the headwaters of Yager Creek down to the confluence of the Van Duzen River near Hydesville. Noon, the next day, Mad River was forded without incident, no Indians were seen, and everything was going better than anticipated. Two days later, Bramlett arrived on Main Street in Rohnerville in good shape. Towns folks could hardly believe a large packtrain had arrived from Weaverville over the Eel River-Weaverville Trail in February.

Bramlett didn’t waste time — he stated what he came for and said he was is a hurry. Merchants and ranchers from Rohnerville, Slide, McDiarmind Prairie and surrounding settlements furnished him with enough butter and eggs to load half the mules. Bramlett sent the train to Cooper’s Mill on Yager Creek to load with flour.

In the meantime, Bramlett was seeking extra help to get the goods across the mountains to Trinity. A half-dozen Wiyot Indians were hired and several days later, at early dawn, the packtrain pulled out of Cooper’s Mill, fully loaded. The trail took them up Yager Creek to the trail junction at Blanton Prairie — here, the trail crossed easterly to the headwaters of Little Yager Creek to a point near Yager Junction. From here the trail proceeded down into the Mad River Crossing. Bramlett and his men had been here seven days before.

One of the Wiyot Indians who was cook for the packtrain was riding bell mare well in advance of the rest. He swam his mare across the Mad River and on gaining the opposite shore he came on a band of Whilkuts. The Wiyot became so frightened that he hurried his mount back into the turbulent waters, returning to the west shore. When the packers arrived on the scene all they could see was a fleeing band of Indians, trailing smoke from their fire, which they carried away with them. From this point on, nothing Bramlett could say or do would persuade the coast Indians to stay with the pack-train and make their way toward Holm Ridge and South Fork Mountain, which was ahead of them. They firmly believed the region beyond was abundantly inhabited by fierce Whilkut bands, for centuries feared by the Wiyot people.

Undaunted by the desertion, Bramlett and the remaining packers got the train safely across river. For the first time he began to worry. Shorthanded with manpower, he became uneasy about the weather. Looking skyward, mares trails (clouds) were appearing on the horizon to the south. A gentle, cold southerly wind was at the nape of his neck. Bramlett knew a storm was approaching, perhaps a day or two distant, but there was enough time to clear the high pass ahead and make it to the Trinity. Darkness overtook the party when it had almost reached the top at the steep 6,000 foot level. They reached the snow-line some distance back, which had made the going rough.

It was decided to rest the mules, camp for the night and break through the belly-deep snow in the morning. The animals were unloaded and a snug camp made. Around midnight Bramlett and his men were wakened by a heavy snowfall. They were dazed and speechless, and could not comprehend how a storm had moved in so quickly and quietly upon them. By daybreak a foot of snow had fallen, in addition to that already on the ground.

Several hours were spent trying to conquer the last one-half mile to reach the summit in a blinding blizzard. Now it was realized the effort was hopeless. The mules were exhausted; they gave up and stood motionless with their flanks pointed to the storm. A decision was made — the loads quickly unpacked and stashed in the timber by the trail. The butter and eggs were buried in the cold snow to prevent spoilage. The precious flour was covered with canvas to keep it dry. When the storm ceased, they would return, repack the mules and finish the journey to Hyampom and the Trinity. The mules were then turned around and headed downhill. To lose elevation fast was of utmost importance, or they would all freeze. Reaching Mad River, it was found the storm had turned it into a raging torrent and crossing to Rohnerville was not possible. A succession of heavy storms hit the area and they became prisoners, trapped between the Mad River and South Fork Mountain. Their food was soon exhausted and they had nothing to eat except what they could hunt and kill. Several attempts were made to reach the food in the cache on the mountain, but these efforts failed.

Bramlett and his men endured their misery, and 22 days later the storm abated and the water level dropped enough to allow the train to make a safe crossing of Mad River.

Early in March, the packtrain struggled back into Cooper’s Mill empty of cargo. The men were weary and the animals gaunt — all was lost — many dollars were spent in buying goods never to be recovered. A month later, Bramlett’s train left lUnionnion by way of the Humboldt Trail for the Trinity River. The train was loaded with provisions for the miners. Bramlett was anxious to get back to home base; his friends would be glad to see him, and there was a lot to talk about.

The story cannot end here for one segment of the historic Eel River-Weaverville Trail still exists. A long section of the trail Is located on the Mad River District of the Six Rivers National Forest and is still maintained by the U.S. Forest Service from the top of South Fork Mountain near Blake Mountain to Pilot Creek at Beckers Cabin, then westerly up Pilot Ridge to Mud Springs. This section of the Eel River-Weaverville Trail over the years has been renamed and is now referred to as the “County Line Trail.” The trail traverses the dividing boundaries of Humboldt and Trinity counties.

###

The story above is excerpted from the November-December 1979 issue of the Humboldt Historian, a journal of the Humboldt County Historical Society. It is reprinted here with permission. The Humboldt County Historical Society is a nonprofit organization devoted to archiving, preserving and sharing Humboldt County’s rich history. You can become a member and receive a year’s worth of new issues of The Humboldt Historian at this link.

Iris Elizabeth Canter, born on July 24, 2015, passed away on January 25, 2025, at the tender age of nine. A bright shining star, Iris brought boundless life and love to all who knew her.

She was the cherished daughter of Adam and Ana Canter and the beloved sister of Azalea. Iris was deeply loved by her grandparents Alice Roberts and Steve Roberts, as well as Bill and Patty Canter. She also held a special place in the hearts of her Aunt Amber (Uncle Corey “Sundog”) Mascio, Uncle Zach Roberts, and cousins Cove and Jasper Mascio.

A fourth-grade student at Walker Elementary School, she found immense joy in being outdoors, whether riding her bike, camping with her family or playing soccer with friends. Iris also was a ceremonial dancer for the Bear River Band, a role that brought her great pride and connection to her community. She was never a stranger to anyone.

Iris’s radiant spirit touched everyone she met. Her joy and energy were a source of light for her family and friends, leaving an indelible mark on their lives.

A celebration of Iris’s life will be held on February 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Tish Non Village Community Center, located at 266 Keisner Road, Loleta. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of her beautiful life.

Though her time with us was far too short, Iris’s memory will forever shine brightly in the hearts of those who loved her.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Iris Canter’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Zoinks! A rig clipped a power pole on Broadway near the movie theater a few moments ago, and now there are big big problems. Southbound traffic is being diverted onto side streets while they replace the pole.

Don’t drive Broadway for a little bit, if you can help it!

(AUDIO) River Sky Keller on KHUM

A couple enjoy a picturesque day hike in beautiful Big Lagoon State Park. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way they become lost and that’s when, let’s just say, strange things begin to happen. 

That is the simple pitch of Golden Hour, a horror short by aspiring young creative River Sky Keller, who stopped by KHUM’s Old Town studio earlier today to chat with DJ Jordan Dobbins about his latest work and to invite the community to its premiere this weekend. Click the player above to hear Keller discuss what it’s like to make a low-budget passion project in Humboldt, among other topics. 

River Keller’s horror short Golden Hour — starring local actors Marina Benson and Andrew Miller — premieres at The Minor Theatre in Arcata at noon on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Tickets are available here. Find a very brief teaser trailer below. 

Photos: Andrew Goff

###

A little over a week ago, the renters living in the Hillsdale Apartments, a three-story, 106-year-old building on E Street in Eureka, found a notice on their doors from the new owner, a corporation called Dwivedi Tower LLC. The subject line reads, “New Lease Agreement with Fair Market Rent (FMR).”

The printed notice, which you can read here, explains that all existing month-to-month leases will expire on Feb. 28, and new leases will commence the next day, March 1, with the following fair market rents:

• Studio: $1,065
• One Bedroom: $1,132

“A representative from Dwivedi Tower LLC or designated property management company will be contacting you within 1 week to schedule a meeting to discuss the new lease terms and answer any questions you may have,” the notice reads.

This announcement sparked alarm and anxiety among renters, many of whom are low income and have been paying hundreds of dollars less than those amounts per month. The notice does inform tenants that they have the right to review the proposed new lease agreement carefully, as well as the right to “negotiate lease terms within reasonable limits.”

But immediately below that it says renters who do not agree with quoted fair market rent amounts “can choose to vacate the property on or before February 28th, 2025,” adding, “A move out Notice is required by January 31st, 2025” — a date just a few days after the notice appeared.

This was interpreted by many tenants as an ultimatum — pay up or move out — according to more than half a dozen of them interviewed by the Outpost. A few said it struck them as a blatant violation of California’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which prohibits landlords from increasing rent in any 12-month period by more than 5 percent plus the increased the cost of living (following the Consumer Price Index) or 10 percent total, whichever is lower. In non-metropolitan areas such as Humboldt County, the 2025 CPI increase is 3.8 percent, meaning local rents can’t legally be increased by more than 8.8 percent in any one-year period.

However, not everyone knows about that legislation, and over the past week and a half most of the tenants of the Hillsdale Apartments have signed new leases, with some agreeing to rent hikes of 40 percent, 50 percent or more. 

Allen Moore, an 80-year-old tenant of the Hillsdale Apartments.

Allen Moore, for example, who lives in Apartment 8, on the ground floor. When we met him in the floral-wallpapered lobby of the Hillsdale Apartments he was seated on the edge of a planter box, holding a walking stick. 

“I’d stand up but I can barely walk,” he said apologetically. Eighty years old and disabled, Moore said he recently met with his new landlord, Anil Dwivedi, the 33-year-old man behind Dwivedi Tower LLC, and tried to negotiate with him. 

“I was sitting right here on the steps, and he came up here and started going through all the papers and saying, ‘Sign here, sign here, sign here.’” 

Moore has lived in the building for four and a half years, and until this month the rent on his studio apartment was $720 per month. He said he felt pressured by Dwivedi, who handed him a “raft of papers” to sign. Moore said he tried to negotiate but Dwivedi only offered to waive a one-time security deposit of $135.

So Moore signed a new lease under the quoted fair market rent amount of $1,065 per month, a 48 percent increase, which he said he’s unable to afford. Paying that much rent on his fixed income would leave him with only $80 per month for gas and food, he said. So why did he agree to the massive hike?

“I don’t want to be kicked out of my room,” Moore said. “I don’t want to live in my car. I’m 80, and I got serious health problems. I’d end up dying within a month of pneumonia or something.” Moore, who said he’s been hospitalized three times in the past year after suffering a heart attack, was unaware of his rights under the Tenant Protection Act, and he said Dwivedi didn’t inform him.

Other residents in the building are holding out, refusing to sign a new lease despite pressure from Dwivedi and the management company he’s hired. A few told the Outpost that they’ve retained legal counsel and plan to defend their rights as tenants. 

Dwivedi, for his part, said these dissatisfied residents are in the minority, and they’re being unfair and dishonest. In two separate interviews — one by phone, the other in the office of another apartment building he owns, the low-income Eureka Central Residence on Fourth and E streets — he maintained that his negotiations with tenants have been fully legal, even amicable, in most cases.

He insisted, repeatedly, that he informed all tenants of their legal rights while also telling them about his own situation, which includes risky seven-figure investments, elevated mortgage rates, property improvement costs and huge insurance hikes in the wake of the L.A. wildfires.

“I had personal meetings … and they wrote me a letter saying what they offered me, and they think that is a fair price,” Dwivedi said. “They put their case, I put my case, and then we came to a number which my tenant offered.”

Asked why tenants would volunteer to pay more rent than they’re legally required to, Dwivedi replied, “Because I told them what my situation is. … I asked if they voluntarily want to come to a number that can be helpful for both of us, and most of them did. … Because they understand. They’re good people.”

The tenants we interviewed disputed Dwivedi’s description of these negotiations, but when we asked him about the discrepancy he said he stands by the signed documents he obtained. For example, when told that Mr. Moore felt pressured into signing a new lease and is now distraught at the prospect of becoming homeless, Dwivedi pulled out one of the pages he’d had Moore sign. It’s a statement attesting to the “mutual agreement” of new lease terms. It reads, in part, “I confirm that I entered into these negotiations freely and willingly, without any undue influence or coercion. I am fully satisfied with the term we agreed upon.”

“Mr. Moore … he signed it,” Dwivedi said.

When we relayed what Moore had confessed about not fully understanding what he was signing and feeling he had no alternative, Dwivedi was unmoved.

“I believe more [in] what he told me. … He told me he’s fine,” he said. “I believe more [in] the documents. If he can back up his claims, because I’m backing up my claims.”

###

Before moving to the United States about a dozen years ago, Anil Dwivedi was a a Hindu priest and student of Sanskrit in his native India. He also worked as an assistant director in the Bollywood film industry, he said, and eventually wrote, directed and produced a 23-minute short film called “Devi — The Little Goddess,” which he said was screened at a number of film festivals.

Anil Dwivedi’s LinkedIn profile photo.

He describes himself as a world traveler (his social media includes photos of himself and his wife visiting the Egyptian pyramids, Thailand, Hong Kong, a tropical paradise and other locales), and in our interview he said traveling to different countries expanded his perspective, giving him “an eagle’s eye view” of humanity that transcends the exclusivity of many religions.

After immigrating to Temecula in Southern California to be with his wife, Dwivedi got involved in real estate — not only because he saw it as a better investment than the stock market but because it helps people, he said.

“I personally like to meet my tenants, everyone. I like to know what their condition is, what the situation is, what their background is [and] what they’re dealing [with],” he said. 

His investments included a hostel in Koh Phangan, Thailand, though he no longer owns it. 

Dwivedi purchased the Eureka Central Residence last April after a “big broker” friend in New York told him about the investment opportunity, he said. The building’s 20-year contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was about to expire, and Dwivedi said that if he cared only about profits he could have kicked out the 36 tenants receiving rental assistance. 

“If I wanted to make money I would have gotten, like, 50 percent more … [if I] evicted these 36 families,” he said. After meeting with them personally, though, he decided to renew the HUD contract for another 10 years. “In this way I’m able to help these 36 families,” he said.

(Another provision of the Tenant Protection Act: renters who’ve lived in a place for at least a year can only be evicted for “just cause,” including specified circumstances where the tenant is at fault or in a limited number of “no fault” situations, such as necessary demolition/remodels or a government order to vacate the unit.)

A Jan. 8 post on the social media site NextDoor accused Dwivedi of planning to evict the tenants of the Eureka Central Residence, which he labeled “Dwivedi Tower” in an Instagram post (above). Dwivedi said those claims are baseless. He renewed the HUD contract in October and allowed the government to dictate rent amounts.

“Whatever rent HUD decided, I accepted it, because I wanted to help these people,” said Dwivedi, who now lives in Eureka with his wife. He added that he’s spent almost half a million dollars renovating the building with new wood floors, fresh paint, plumbing repairs, professional carpet cleaning and more. 

Late last month Dwivedi closed escrow on the Hillsdale Apartments, which he bought for $1.65 million — more than half a million under the $2.2 million asking price. He said he posted the notices with fair market rent amounts so tenants could see that they’ve been paying way below the going rate. He’s frustrated that the building’s previous owners neglected to make incremental increases to keep up with the market, putting him in an unfair position.

“Now it looks like I’m the villain,” he said. “I’m facing a lot of hatred. I cannot even sleep at night … . It’s like, just put yourself in my shoes and walk at least a mile and see: How would you be surviving when you’re getting income from between 2005-10 and your expenses are 2025? … That’s the reality. … I’m not doing anything illegal, and I’m trying to make sure that I understand every single person, personally. Every single tenant.”

###

Don Swall, a retired school teacher and member of Veterans for Peace, has lived in the Hillsdale Apartments for 18 years. Nearly 85 years old (his birthday’s in April), he said he’s been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and only recently finished treatment for esophageal cancer. He’s not convinced of Dwivedi’s good intentions.

“Everybody in the building is getting fucked by this,” he said. Swall has been paying $621 a month for his third floor, one bedroom apartment, and he said the $1,132 fair market rent — an 82 percent increase — would quickly make him homeless. He has yet to meet with Dwivedi personally and said he’s not in a hurry to do so.

“He’s been in the building, but the people I know who are as pissed off as I am just won’t talk to him,” Swall said.

When told that Dwivedi claims to have explained everyone’s tenant rights, Swall offered a blunt assessment: “He’s a lying motherfucker,” he said. “A slumlord.”

Another resident, Matt Charbonneau, told the Outpost that he immediately recognized that a rent hike to the quoted fair market amount would violate his rights under the Tenant Protection Act. He’s been trying to negotiate new lease terms via email, to no avail. 

“I have asked for written documentation of the new lease terms, but Dwivedi Tower LLC has refused to provide them,” he told the Outpost via email. “This rent increase will force many tenants out of their homes, as most of us cannot afford such a drastic jump.”

He forwarded his email chain with management, wherein he asserts his rights and asks repeatedly for a copy of the new lease. Management responds with requests to meet in person.

“I totally understand your concern,” reads a Jan. 28 reply from a Dwivedi Tower Gmail address. “It’s not a rent increase although it looks like it, it is a new lease sign up with a new move in with FMR [fair market rent] from March 1st. … If you would accept our invitation to meet up we can explain everything in detail. We have to meet up with you and come to an agreement before January 31st.”

Another email offers a bargaining chip: “We will be adding common WiFi for every tenant so they can save about $100 on their internet bill.”

Charbonneau remained unconvinced. He wrote back, “I find it concerning that you are refusing to provide written documentation of the new rental terms. … Once I have the details in writing and have had a chance to look them over we can schedule a time to meet in person.”

Reached by phone, Charbonneau said Dwivedi never acknowledged his tenant rights but said everything he’s doing is legal.

“He assured me that he’s had a team of attorneys review everything,” he said.

Amber Kirst did meet personally with Dwivedi. She agreed to do so after he knocked on her door last week. At the meeting, she said, he alternated between playing on her emotions and attempting to strong-arm her into paying at least $1,000 per month, a 54 percent increase over what she’s been paying.

“He’s like, ‘Hey, I understand what you’re going through. The price of groceries has gone up. The price of everything’s gone up.’ But then he’s all, ‘You’ve gotta understand my perspective. My insurance has tripled in California. I have to [support] my family. I have to pay my bills. … Can’t you empathize with that?’ … I said I can, but you need to understand my situation too, you know. Like, this is illegal.”

When she held her ground, she said, Dwivedi threatened to evict her under the pretense that her apartment needed to be renovated.

“Just straight up, he was blunt,” Kirst said. “And I’m just looking at him. I cannot believe he’s saying this to me.”

When she offered to pay 10 percent more per month he refused to accept it, instead tapping his finger on a piece of paper with “$1,000” written on it, she said. Again he appealed to her to see things from his perspective. “I look at him and go, ‘You want me to empathize with you when you literally just tried to bully me?’”

Dwivedi disputed this account, saying he never threatened to evict her, though he added that he may be forced to do building renovations at some point. He again attested to telling every tenant he’s met with about their rights and inviting them to negotiate.

“Yeah, right,” Swall said sarcastically. “He puts a loaded gun to your head and says, ‘We’ll negotiate.’”

We interviewed Swall in his apartment alongside his downstairs neighbor, Vanessa Vachon, a 68-year-old who worked on housing issues when she was employed by the County of Mendocino. “So I’m not coming from an ignorant place,” she said.

She ignored voicemails from Dwivedi asking her to meet with him, and she declined an in-person invitation when he knocked on her door. She has obtained legal representation and plans to fight the rent hike. (Hers would go up by nearly 60 percent if raised to the quoted fair market amount.)

Swall is also holding out while seeking legal advice, and he’s not interested in negotiating. He and Vachon believe that even if they manage to negotiate a deal with Dwivedi to keep their rent increases within legal limits, he’d simply convince other tenants to make up the difference.

“We’ve got several people here that are disabled and that may not have as much wisdom about housing and the laws and everything,” Vachon said.

Another tenant, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of losing their security deposit, said that after trying unsuccessfully to argue with Dwivedi against a $400 rent increase, they opted to put in their 30-day notice.

“Somebody who thinks this is in any way legal or moral is not somebody I want to be in contract with,” the person explained.

###

When we met with Dwivedi in his office at the Eureka Central Residence (or Dwivedi Tower), he showed us copies of a few signed leases for less than the fair market rent amounts, including one for $698 per month, two for $726 per month and one for $770. 

Asked how some people managed to get these deals while others are paying hundreds more, Dwivedi said it’s because they explained their situation. Some are students; another is disabled. 

“Everybody’s making ends meet,” he said. “Whoever’s not making [it], their rent did not go up.”

When reminded about Mr. Moore, Dwivedi said, “If he could not afford [a $345 per month increase], why would he agree to rent [at that price]? Why would he sign [something] saying he was not pressured?”

Told that Moore said he didn’t understand everything he was signing and is now worried about becoming homeless, he again pointed to the signed document on the desk in front of him. 

“I think if they signed with their free will, I would go by that. … If he told you that [he was distraught], he’s being influenced by Don and Vanessa,” he said, referring to Swall and Vachon. “If they keep doing that, then I might have to evict them.”

Based on what?

“Based on, I might find a reason,” he said.

When we pointed out that this was likely illegal (the Tenant Protection Act explicitly prohibits landlords from taking retaliatory measures against tenants who exercise a legal right), Dwivedi said he’d find a legal reason and noted that their February rent check was late, for one thing.

Immediately after this flex of his authority, Dwivedi’s tone shifted.

“I am struggling a lot,” he said. “You know, my insurance, if I don’t pay the mortgage, which is, like, really huge for that building, if I don’t pay on the first it would go [into] foreclosure. If I don’t play sixty-plus-thousand dollars a year just on that building, it will go in foreclosure. So I am trying to stay afloat, sir.”

He again mentioned the LA wildfires, which were burning while he was in escrow on the Hillsdale Apartments, forcing him to choose between accepting a much higher insurance rate or back out of the deal and lose his earnest-money deposit.

He believes some of the resistance he’s facing from tenants stems from their racist attitudes toward him, and he said that, fundamentally, he’s trying to help the local community.

“I put [up] a lot of investment …,” he said. “And I have the potential to bring millions of dollars from all the way from Southern California. I know a bunch of investors. [But] if that’s how this community reacts to change, it’s not gonna happen.”

If tenants think he’s being unfair, they need to think about things from his perspective, he said.

“When you sit [on] this side of the table, things are different. … I’m just 33. My hair is gone!” he said, gesturing toward his thinning scalp. “It’s not like my hair is gone because genetics; everybody’s in my family has hair. [This is because of] how much stress I have.”

He brought up the recent NextDoor post and said he’s faced “so much bashing. I feel like it just keeps happening to me.”

Reiterating that he has an “army of lawyers,” Dwivedi said, “So whatever I’m doing, I’m doing legally. … I have been advised by, like, [an] entire firm. … This inflation economy is hard on everyone. [Look at] how much I am suffering. I wish I could go in front of someone and cry like, ‘Look, I’m suffering too. I am shoved against the wall, especially with the insurance.’” 

Earlier this week, Dwivedi posted an ad for “3 Cozy studios available” in the Hillsdale Apartments. He’s asking $1,095 per month plus a $49.99 non-refundable screening fee. He also posted a link to the ad on Facebook, where commenters accused him of being selfish, greedy and a scammer. In response to a complaint about the screening fee, Dwivedi clapped back, saying the complainer was  clearly “trying to spread hate and division by confusing/lying to people.”