Letter to the Editor

Another Jim Jones?

Stephen A. (aka Stefan) Mitchell is easy to understand if one looks at him as he sees himself - like a charismatic cult leader, above the law, on a mission from God and in charge of his flock, tenants of Council House who are incapable of living a happy life without his input and guidance. He now wants to extend his mission to the neighborhood, creating a response to the “drunks, addicts and homeless” to rid the neighborhood of the unwanted whom he feels have no right to exist in his world.

Rebuffed by the police who told him to leave them alone as they were not breaking the law, he requested the Quest phone company to install a no loitering sign on their building, making it impossible for them to warm themselves on the vents on the side of the building. The neighbors have no idea they are responding to the request of a sick person.

Mitchell presents himself (his words) as a “musical minister” who tours to share God and happiness with others with his singing. He believes he is not interfering with our lives; he is “saving” us. He speaks derogatorily of the shelters and halfway houses in the area and thinks they should move. He says he wants to be surrounded by happy people and he will be “happy” to move anyone who isn’t satisfied with his leadership.

Today (17 Aug 05) he wanted to build a fence around the property. When the tenants objected, he became very angry. Everything in his environment must be controlled and his environment is growing by leaps and bounds. He twists the law so that it supports his premises.

The “rude and abusive” terminology, which he has managed to get by HUD and put into our leases, has never been defined; he alone decides who is to be punished There is no appeal; he is always “right”, anyone who disagrees with him is “wrong” and deserves his punishment.

This morning he announced that people have to learn there are penalties for their behavior. He now wants more jail time for Paul Trummel who spoke out about his management of Council House.

He has no internal controls. Today’s sermon was a repeat performance: “if you don’t like it here, leave” and anyone who is uncomfortable, write a complaint and we will rid ourselves of that person. People have asked me why I don’t just get out – it is mind boggling, as if everyone should leave him to run his little piece of controlled hell and not mind who he hurts. Do they think instead of trying to correct the situation, I should run away?

I hold degrees in psychology and behavioral science and have worked with psychologically and emotionally distressed persons in many arenas. (my resume will show that). I diagnose Stephen Mitchell as having the same profile as Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Jim Jones and the like. He is a sociopath with no conscience about whom he hurts in order to meet his ends. He has destroyed people’s lives with his policies and that is the focus.

A tenant approached me following today’s meeting to tell me she hoped I could do something as Mitchell had destroyed the lives of two of her friends by his unfair eviction process. I hope this helps you understand the terror of Mitchell’s psychosis – that he can affect so many people and is expanding. Remember how Jim Jones started in San Francisco? The authorities thought he was terrific and he had widespread support.

Whenever Mitchell talks about people who have resisted him, his face distorts and his anger pours out. He says it is a chance to be kind, by having people take him to court, “but it is so hard because they are making so much trouble and costing the tenants money”. He never takes responsibility for the cost of having to defend him in court and the problem is that “he” disregards others’ rights.

Lawyers argued before Washington Supreme Court that he misrepresented himself in speaking for the tenants yet he insists he has that right so that we, the tenants, have to foot his legal bills. Now he complains the patio can’t be completed until next year as the court costs have eaten up the tenant money. According to him, if everyone would leave him alone, everyone would be happy.

Many people have told me they support me fully but can’t take the chance to go to the authorities for fear of retribution from Mitchell. The sadness I feel for their fear and stress keeps me going.

Lauren Jeanne Hawk, Tenant,
Council House, Seattle, Washington.