Cathy Jean Richards
Jan. 16, 1953 – Oct. 5, 2023

Cathy Jean Richards passed away peacefully on October 5, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was born in Ft. Lewis, Washington to Gerald Ray Christenson and Corrine Cecelia Petrusha on January 16, 1953. Most of Cathy’s younger years, you could find her in McKinleyville with her mom and dad, brother Jerry and Heidi, her sister. Cathy’s favorite activities were riding her horse, BigEnough, and sewing. They usually were attending weekend activities with the Arcata Fire Department, Bill and JoAnn McKenzie family, or going to Trinity Lake to stay on the houseboat. And if they were traveling, they would be heading back to Libby, Montana where their parents were or to Seattle, Washington to visit cousins.

Cathy attended St. Mary’s Elementary School in Arcata for several years until they moved to McKinleyville, where she attended McKinleyville Elementary Schools. In high school Cathy was an excellent student, along with being a cheerleader and song queen. She graduated from McKinleyville High School in 1971 and then attended College of the Redwoods.

At Christ the King Parish, Cathy met her soul mate, Kenny Richards, in catechism. They went together in elementary school, high school and junior college. They were married at St. Mary’s Church in Arcata on February 17, 1973 in a Nuptial Mass Ceremony. They were together in marriage for 50 and one half years. They had three boys: Her first son, Bill and his wife Amy, with four children Kalyn, Travis, Chloe, and Gunner with one grandchild, Hudson; her second son, John, and his wife Madeline and two children Talin and Wyatt; Thomas, her third son, and his wife Kellie and son Jaxon.

While in high school she worked at Ron’s Villa Pharmacy in McKinleyville, and moved on to Hooven and Turner Excavation in the 1970s. Later she was hired at the Northern Humboldt Union High School District for 27 years as an account technician and back up payroll technician, and then she retired.

Over the last 50 years, Cathy spent time in Willow Creek or at Trinity Lake on the houseboat, snow skiing, or riding her horse, Dani, with Nancy Bettendorf and JoAnn Ricci. Cathy absolutely loved riding and being with her horse. Cathy was known by her many friends. Her friend Rachel Barnett has been a cornerstone for her through the years. Cathy was a great role model as a parent and her love that she had for her grandchildren, great-grandchild, sons, husband, brother, sister, cousins, and friends was second to none.

Cathy would be known most as being a great mother. She treated everyone with love. Cathy was always there for her kids and grandkids as well as transporting other neighborhood children to baseball, football and golf matches. She loved spending time with her family and never passed up an opportunity to do so. Cathy and Kenny were Grand Marshall’s of the Pony Express Days Parade and received the McKinleyville Community Service Award in 2018.

Lastly, Cathy wanted to thank her nephew, Doctor Sean Grammy, for saving her life and advising her every step of the way through difficult medical times.

Services for Cathy Richards will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arcata on Saturday, Oct. 14. Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m., Mass at 11 a.m., and Reception at 12 p.m.

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The Humboldt County Growers Alliance (HCGA) and seven cannabis farmers filed suit against the proponents of the Humboldt Cannabis Reform Initiative (HCRI) and the Humboldt County Elections Office in Humboldt County Superior Court today. The lawsuit alleges that the proponents of the initiative, Mark Thurmond and Elizabeth Watson, “intentionally misled” and “deceived” members of the public while gathering signatures to place the initiative on the March 2024 ballot. 

“[Thurmond and Watson] failed to include the full text of their Initiative in the petition they circulated to County voters in order to qualify the Initiative for the March 2024 ballot … and included materially false and/or misleading information in the Initiative Petition,” the lawsuit states. “In doing so, [their] illegal actions render the Initiative’s qualification invalid, and require that the Initiative be removed from the ballot to protect the integrity of Humboldt County elections.”

The initiative, set to appear on the ballot as Measure A, would impose a host of new rules on commercial cannabis cultivation operations across the county. Proponents of the initiative believe the added restrictions will promote small-scale farming and “environmentally responsible cannabis cultivation practices and support watershed health … by limiting the number, type and acreage of permits for commercial cannabis cultivation,” according to the text of the measure.

Natalyne DeLapp, executive director for the HCGA, argues that the initiative “would be a disaster for public safety and the environment,” and would “fatally undermine” the county’s existing regulatory framework “that was designed to end the harms of prohibition and the social and environmental impacts of the Green Rush.”

“If the signature-gathering efforts for Measure A were truthful, this initiative never would have made it to the ballot,” DeLapp wrote in a prepared statement. “Claiming to protect small cannabis farmers and public participation, while in fact targeting small cannabis farmers with a panoply of new restrictions and locking broken policy in place permanently, is exactly the subversion of the democratic process that elections laws are designed to prevent.” 

Seven small cannabis farmers have also signed onto the lawsuit, including John Casali, Steve Luu, Karen Hessler, Dylan Mattole, Patrick William Andrews, Hannah Whyte and Indicus McGrath Riggs.

The lawsuit seeks to remove the initiative from the March 2024 ballot.

Reached by phone earlier this afternoon, Watson told the Outpost that she was unaware of the lawsuit and declined to comment on the matter for the time being.

A copy of the lawsuit can be found at this link.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Growers Alliance:

Today, seven small cannabis farmers, along with the Humboldt County Growers Alliance, filed suit in Humboldt County court on the grounds that signature-gathering efforts for the Humboldt Cannabis Reform Initiative - currently slated to appear on the March 5, 2024 ballot - were based on a lie.

“If the signature-gathering efforts for Measure A were truthful, this initiative never would have made it to the ballot,” said Natalyne DeLapp, HCGA’s executive director. “Claiming to protect small cannabis farmers and public participation, while in fact targeting small cannabis farmers with a panoply of new restrictions and locking broken policy in place permanently, is exactly the subversion of the democratic process that elections laws are designed to prevent.” 

Throughout 2022, signature gatherers approached Humboldt voters at farmer’s markets, grocery stores, and fairs, asking voters to sign an initiative petition they said would “ensure greater public participation” and “support small-scale, high-quality cannabis cultivation.” 
The lawsuit documents how Measure A’s backers included materially false and misleading information that deceived voters into believing the initiative was about restricting large-scale cultivation and failed to include the full text of the initiative as required by law. 

“The reality is that Measure A would be a disaster for public safety and the environment, fatally undermining the regulatory framework that was designed to end the harms of prohibition and the social and environmental impacts of the Green Rush,” DeLapp continued. “When the proponents decided to write policy behind closed doors and ignore the input of law enforcement, environmental groups, farmers, and regulators, the result would always be chaos, not a functional program that protects county residents.”

“Measure A would effectively repeal and replace 143 pages of county cannabis ordinances developed over eight years of public deliberation, and yet none of this was disclosed to voters who were told they were simply ‘protecting small farmers,’” said Ross Gordon, HCGA’s Policy Director. “The Planning Department’s recent analysis of Measure A has made it clear how dangerous this policy would be, but we never would have been in this position in the first place if the proponents had simply disclosed the truth about what this initiative does.” 

The full complaint as filed in Humboldt County Superior Court, can be read here.

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PREVIOUSLY: 

• An Initiative to Reshape Humboldt’s Cannabis Industry Qualified for the Ballot, and It Has Growers Worried
• Supes Agree to Put Controversial Weed Initiative on the 2024 Ballot, Though They Hope to Work With Organizers on Alternatives
• Humboldt Cannabis Farmers Blast ‘Misleading’ Ballot Initiative That Would Impose New Restrictions on Cultivators; Supervisors Form an Ad Hoc Committee to Work on Alternatives
• Proponents of the Humboldt Cannabis Reform Initiative Are Calling Out the Board of Supervisors, County Staff for Allegedly Distorting the Intent of the 2024 Ballot Measure

All throughout the spring and summer, Cal Poly Humboldt braced itself for a gigantic jump in enrollment numbers. Where would it put all the kids that would be lured here by the new polytechnic designation, and by the new academic programs that went along with it?

Current students were already having trouble finding a place to live. The new 1,000-bed Craftsman Mall complex wouldn’t be ready for a couple of years. Current dorm residents were being told that they might not get their rooms back. Things were so tense that the university and the City of Eureka kicked around the idea of housing students on a giant barge that would be parked in the bay. Eventually, the university rented a whole bunch of motel space in Valley West for its incoming 2023-2024 class, and braced for the worst.

But all that turned out not to be necessary, because the expected wave of new incoming freshmen failed to materialize. The university’s student newspaper, the Lumberjack, has been banging at this story for a while now, but recently the university finished its official tally, which shows that it has a total student body increase of 2 percent this semester — 5,796 this year, up from 5,678 this time last year.

This is something of a worry, as the whole transformation of the old Humboldt State University into a 21st-century-ready Cal Poly Humboldt depends on big growth in the student population over the next several years. During the flush pandemic years, Gov. Gavin Newsom, the state legislature and the California State University system bet $400 million on the proposition that this could be accomplished.

Not so far, though. Though the full “Cal Poly Humboldt” transformation is expected to occur over several years, not only is the university well short of its eventual goal of 11,000 students, it’s not even anywhere near its current, state-mandated goal of 7,603 full-time resident students. It has 5,130 of those now. Because of that, next year’s budget could be at risk.

These figures and conclusions are from a recent letter sent out to the campus community by Cal Poly Humboldt’s Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success Chrissy Holliday, which was subsequently cc:’ed to the university’s general email list. But though Holliday raises lots of red flags in her update, she insists that everything is still basically on course, and she outlines what steps the university is taking to supercharge the student body growth come next year. Find that letter below.

Also, though: We’d be remiss if we didn’t point you toward another great Lumberjack story, which profiles some of the current students who are living their best lives in those Valley West motel rooms, and don’t want to move to campus even though there is dorm space available for them there.

Letter from Cal Poly Humboldt Vice President of Enrollment Management Chrissy Holliday:

Campus colleagues,

As we are approaching the midpoint of the semester, I want to share important updates about our fall enrollment and what it means for the future of the University. I also want to thank and celebrate each of you for the contributions you have made to our continued growth as a campus.

For the second straight fall, student enrollment at Cal Poly Humboldt increased – an outcome that is the direct result of significant hard work. According to official census numbers, released Oct. 9, enrollment is 2% percent higher compared to last fall, bringing total headcount to 5,976, a one-year increase of 118 students.

All of this comes as colleges and universities navigate a challenging enrollment landscape. Institutions around the country and in California are seeing a continued decline in enrollment, generally tied to shifting demographics. Cal Poly Humboldt’s multiple semesters of growth are going against the prevailing trend, and the results show the positive impact of our polytechnic transformation.

Enrollment Highlights

When the University announced our new polytechnic status, we prepared for an application cycle we knew would be vastly different, as well as multiple enrollment scenarios, including a possible large influx of students right up front. We established scalable plans to support growth of as much as 2,000 students this academic year, knowing that while annual results may vary, our primary goal is to reach 11,000 students by 2028. We are still on track to meet that larger goal, and are in the midst of significant strategic enrollment enhancements in support of that long-term growth.

The University’s overall headcount, which includes full-time enrolled students and part-time students, is one part of the broader enrollment picture this fall. Our enrollment shows positive strategic improvement for the campus, particularly among student populations that are essential to sustainable enrollment growth. More students who stopped out in previous terms chose to re-enroll this semester utilizing a streamlined readmission process, and the number of post baccalaureate students increased, as did those enrolled in online programs available through a partnership within the CSU. In addition, our retention rate for first-time, full-time students rose to 75.3%, compared with 73.6% last year.

We also showed growth in full-time resident enrollment of 3.4% (to 5,130), outpacing headcount growth, which means student behavior changed, and more students are taking the course load they need to stay on track for graduation. We know that interest in Cal Poly Humboldt is strong, as the number of first-time undergraduate applications for Fall 2023 increased by a record 86% — a surge generated in large part by enthusiasm for our polytechnic designation and new programs. The work ahead of us is focused on converting more of that interest into ultimate enrollment, and helping potential students and their families understand why Cal Poly Humboldt should be their top choice for a college education.

Realizing Our Potential

The increase in the number of enrolled students this Fall, while modest, signals a positive direction for the University, which hasn’t seen consecutive years of an enrollment increase since 2014 and 2015. We know that the interest and momentum necessary for growth is present, and we are building the infrastructure needed to support that growth. This first recruitment cycle as a polytechnic has taught us more of what to expect from our applicants, and we have done the hard work to identify the shifts necessary to launch the next phase of our growth.

Our campus is in the midst of building academic programs and expanding the resources that will need to be in place to support more students over the next several years. This year saw the launch of 10 new degree programs with several more, plus certificate programs, on the way. Student housing — on and off campus — is also expanding. The nearly 1,000-bed Student Housing Project at the Craftsman Mall location is slated for completion in the 2025-26 academic year, and more campus housing is planned for the future. This more gradual growth trajectory provides a longer runway to prepare for our long-term increase in enrollment, ensuring that we can provide the structures our students require for success.

While there are many exciting changes ahead of us, there are also hard budget realities that we as a campus community are facing. California State University funding for each campus hinges on established enrollment targets. Our funded level of 7,603 full-time resident students has been unmet for some time. It is important to note that under even the initial aggressive polytechnic targets, that level was not scheduled to be reached until 2025. With 2,473 fewer than this target this fall, the CSU may choose to withhold 5 percent — or $3.4 million — in funding during 2024-25. [More details on Cal Poly Humboldt’s budget.]

Strategic Change

We know there is more work to be done to achieve our goals, and the Enrollment Management & Student Success division is committed to strategically improving our recruitment and outreach efforts, in partnership with the rest of campus. Some key efforts are well underway, ranging from minor pivots to major changes.

This summer, the deadline to self-register for Fall classes was extended, giving new and returning students more time to enroll on their own, without additional hurdles. Admitted students who did not enroll for Fall 2023 have the opportunity to start in the Spring, without having to reapply. Other enrollment initiatives underway include:

• Re-deployment of our recruiting staff to include the direct placement of recruiting team members in the geographic regions they serve across the state;
• Expanded engagement with search providers, ensuring our ability to reach California students early in their college search process, well prior to application;
• Improving communications and relational touchpoints with prospective students during various stages of the application and admissions process;
• Increasing engagement with students before they apply so they have a better sense of what makes Humboldt special and how the application process works;
• Reviving “instant admissions” for eligible students at strategic recruiting events;
• Increasing visits to regional high schools, emphasizing Humboldt First scholarships for local students;
• Enhancing partnerships with community colleges and other pipeline programs;
• Increasing our presence at college fairs across the state, leveraging guest recruiters when recruiting staff are not available;
• Continuing enhancement of our visit and Preview/Preview Plus programs to expand the opportunities for prospective students, particularly those from lower-income and more diverse populations, to interact with our campus;
• Investment in digital advertising tied strategically to enrollment efforts, increasing awareness, applications, and engagement throughout the student lifecycle;
• Significant and ongoing revision of admissions processes to streamline the student experience and leverage technology to enhance efficiency.

It is important to note that new student enrollment is one part of the enrollment growth strategy for our campus — retention is the essential other cornerstone. This fall marked considerable progress in our retention success efforts, and that should be celebrated. A number of members of our campus community, ranging from the Student Success side of EMSS, to colleagues in Academic Affairs and elsewhere across campus, are working each day to ensure we better engage students and assist them along their path towards completion.

I am incredibly optimistic about the coming years and proud to be part of a campus that consistently strives to improve the student experience. Each and every day our students, faculty, and staff are reminders of why Humboldt is a special place to live and to learn. I look forward to working alongside all of you as we build next year’s incoming class, knowing that even greater growth is ahead.

Sincerely,

Chrissy Holliday
Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Success

Committee to Re-Elect 2nd District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell:

Supervisor Michelle Bushnell committed to Stand up for Humboldt County’s 2nd District for a 2nd term!

In her first term as Humboldt County Supervisor, District 2, Michelle has proven she shows up and gets results! She has been on the forefront of every natural disaster we have endured; during earthquakes, wildfires and road closures, Michelle kept open lines of communication with the people, in hopes of keeping everyone safe, informed, and keeping our County open for business.

When Michelle isn’t in a meeting, you can often find her in support at one of the local farmers markets, Business Ribbon cuttings, school fundraisers, Veterans events or at one of the many events throughout Humboldt County.

Michelle appreciates all the faith the people have put in her and the job she is doing representing 2nd District, and is always open to conversations on how she can better serve our community and encourages people to reach out.

“I look forward to serving my community, thank you to all my constituents for your continued support!”

Supervisor Michelle Bushnell can be reached at 707-599-2850

• Website: ReElectMichelleBushnell.com
• facebook.com/SupervisorBushnell

Thank you to my respected Community endorsers:

• Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal
• Fortuna Mayor Tami Trent
• Fortuna Police Chief Casey Day
• Fortuna Fire Chief Rus Brown
• Former Fortuna Mayor Sue Long
• Fortuna City Council Member Mike Losey
• Fortuna City Council Mike Johnson
• Former 2nd District Supervisor Johanna Rodoni
• Fortuna Rodeo President/Business owner Shannon Mchorter
• Briceland Fire Dept.Training Battalion Chief Diana Totten
• Garberville Fire Dept. Tim Tietz
• Benbow Inn owner John Porter
• SoHum Health Chief Executive Officer Matt Rees
• Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes
• Rio Dell City Council Amanda Carter
• Rio Dell Fire Chief Shane Wilson

California’s push to have independent panels — not politicians — draw election districts has floundered into a more piecemeal approach.

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed the most ambitious bill passed by state lawmakers, Assembly Bill 1248, which called for independent redistricting commissions in every city and county across the state with more than 300,000 residents, and every school or community college district with more than 500,000.

He also blocked Senate Bill 52, requiring independent panels in large charter cities, which would have applied to the scandal-plagued Los Angeles City Council. It appoints some members of the existing redistricting commission, and last year, a leaked recording revealed city councilmembers strategizing, in a conversation packed with racist comments, about how to get lines drawn in their favor.

Newsom did sign two less sweeping redistricting bills that authors put forth in case the broader effort failed, but supporters were still bitterly disappointed.

“In Los Angeles we need an independent and unbiased commission to help mend the lack of trust between the community and its government,” Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, a Culver City Democrat and author of AB 1248, and Sen. María Elena Durazo, a Los Angeles Democrat and author of SB 52, said in a joint statement. “We will continue to do work to keep communities whole and allow communities to choose their elected representatives, rather than the elected officials choosing their voters.”

In his Oct. 7 veto message for AB 1248, Newsom said he shared the “goal of ensuring community control over the redistricting process.”

But he cited budget uncertainty, saying the bill would create a “state-reimbursable mandate in the tens of millions and should therefore be considered in the annual budget process.”

Common Cause, a good government group and sponsor of AB 1248, noted in a press release, however, that the bill’s cost wouldn’t be a factor in the state budget until closer to the next census in 2030, which kicks off the next round of redistricting.

“We’re deeply confused and frustrated, why the governor would choose to veto a proven democracy reform that provided California an opportunity to not just eliminate gerrymandering in the state but also lead the nation in pro-democracy reform,” Jonathan Mehta Stein, executive director for California Common Cause, told CalMatters. “It’s an enormous missed opportunity.”

Newsom did sign AB 764, the fail-safe measure also introduced by Bryan and sponsored by Common Cause that seeks to address ambiguities in current redistricting laws regardless of who does the mapping, such as explicitly banning consideration of incumbency, and increasing standards for public engagement.

He also signed SB 314, by Sacramento Democratic Sen. Angelique Ashby, that establishes a citizens redistricting commission for the Sacramento County board of supervisors, and AB 34, by Anaheim Democratic Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, that creates a similar commission in Orange County.

The two counties join a handful of others that are either required by previous state laws or have chosen to do redistricting through an independent panel. In Los Angeles, there’s also an effort by a city council committee to establish an independent redistricting commission through a measure on the November 2024 ballot. And in San Francisco, where chaos over map drawing was brought on by what some called a “toxic political culture,” there’s an effort to bring the city’s independent redistricting commission — established prior to the state version — up to date with best practices.

Redistricting is the process of redrawing election maps after every Census to make sure each district has about the same number of people, ensuring no one’s vote gets diluted. A statewide independent commission has drawn state Senate, state Assembly and U.S. House districts since 2010, taking that power from the Legislature, so they could no longer draw their own districts. But bringing independent panels to local redistricting has been a start and stop process.

“We’re deeply confused and frustrated, why the governor would choose to veto a proven democracy reform.”
— Jonathan Mehta Stein, executive director for California Common Cause

In 2019, Newsom vetoed a bill by Redondo Beach Democratic Sen. Ben Allen that would have required counties with more than 400,000 residents to set up independent redistricting commissions. His reason for vetoing the bill then was that local jurisdictions were already allowed to establish independent commissions, and that it should be considered in the budget process.

“We are left just flabbergasted that the governor continues to make this baffling choice,” Mehta Stein said.

“The forces that have been fighting against voting rights and against redistricting reform have been pouring money into that effort for decades. And the pro-democracy side of the argument has to be willing to put its money where its mouth is. We can’t build a better, more inclusive democracy for free. It will cost money and it’s worth it.”

But for some, the veto of AB 1248 was a win.

The California State Association of Counties, Rural County Representatives of California and Urban Counties of California opposed the bill unless amended, because they were concerned about the resources the bill would require.

Patrick Blacklock, president and CEO of the Rural County Representatives of California said the mandate should only happen with a corresponding budget allocation.

“Without this kind of support, we are concerned that counties will be set up for failure, and such a failure would only serve to validate public distrust in the redistricting process and in our democratic systems that are already under intense public scrutiny,” Blacklock said in a statement to CalMatters.

Michael Li, senior counsel for the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, said that the veto wasn’t necessarily surprising since redistricting can be a controversial and sensitive subject — especially at the local level. But he did find Newsom’s reason for the veto surprising.

Still, while the lawmakers and sponsors haven’t said whether they’ll try to reintroduce the bills next session, Li noted that it took multiple tries to get an independent redistricting commission at the state level, too.

“Independent commissions are the wave of the future,” he said. “Even though these bills failed, I don’t think this will be the end of efforts to mandate stronger, better systems.”

“California has provided a lot of evidence that, if they’re well designed, they do work and do improve representation and results for voters — particularly for voters who haven’t had a seat at the table.”

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Matthew “Matt” Taylor
May 4, 1977 — September 17, 2023

On September 17, 2023, Matt passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife Brandy, along with his brother Todd by his side at Hospice House of Humboldt. Matt had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer on August 14, 2023. He endured multiple complications from the cancer, and he fought a difficult battle.

Matt was born to Paula Poncia and Robert Taylor in Eureka on May 4, 1977. Matt lived his entire life in Eureka. He was a Eureka High School Graduate in 1996. In high school, he had a passion for VW bugs and loud stereos. From a young age he had a passion for racing motorcycles and was an original member of the Humboldt Stunners Crew. His nickname was “Wheelie Instructor” for a reason and may have been known to ride the hard pack sand on Samoa Beach on a street bike in his younger days doing 80 m.p.h. wheelies. Things did calm down after his first son was born and he switched from street bikes to Harley’s. When his own boys were ready, he introduced them to BMX, flat track motorcycle racing, rock crawling, and 4-wheeling.

Due to a blind date of Brandy’s best friend in 2002, Matt met his future wife at E & O Bowl in Blue Lake. He told his friends that night he was going to marry this girl of his dreams one day and set to make that future a reality. As usual, Matt’s persistence and his charm won her over and they were together, a team, a force to be reckoned with, from that day on.

“Always family first” was Matt’s motto in life and he showed it every day with his dedication to his wife and his boys. He taught his boys to have a strong work ethic, integrity, honesty, kindness and perseverance. After Matt would finish his day at Recology, he’d pick up the boys and head to the shop to teach them how to work on his rock crawler other projects. He encouraged them to be self-sufficient and help others. If they weren’t at the shop, they would mow lawns to support their motorcycle and BMX racing needs because Matt believed the things you worked for were things you appreciated more. He thought his boys could do anything they set their minds to do and he never missed an opportunity to teach them life skills to be successful young men. At the motorcycle races or the BMX track, he cheered his boys on and was their number one fan.

Matt and Brandy built many strong friendships with race families up and down the West Coast from Washington to San Diego and every one of those friendships meant the world to Matt.

You could not find a more honest, genuine, caring guy, always there with a smile and helping hand. Matt was always a kick to be around. It was always an adventure with him. He loved rock crawling with his boys and long-time friends at Rowdy Creek, Fordyce, The Rubicon, Titlow, and O’Brien, 4-wheeling at the beach or in the snow, and riding motorcycles. Matt had a wild side, which he shared with his very large, tight-knit group of friends whenever he could. Matt had some rock-solid friends who loved him and that love and respect for each other was palpable. About a year ago, Matt and Brandy purchased a 1971 Camaro project that they wanted to complete with their boys. Ultimately his disease prevented its completion by Matt, but a group of his buddies rallied to complete the project. Although he didn’t get a chance to drive the car, the look on his face when the engine first fired up was something we will not soon forget. He had an unmistakable smile and whistle, and he loved offering positive and/or sarcastic advice when you needed it the most. Always smiling, even at the very end, his smile and laughter lit up a room

Matt was an EXCELLENT cook, Big Boy BBQ Pit master and fried rice aficionado. If you were camping with Matt at Ruth Lake, King of Hammers, just hanging out at Samoa Beach, or at one of the boys’ birthday parties at Sequoia Park, he could rustle up a meal you wouldn’t soon forget. He loved to feed people and see their amazement.

Matt worked at Recology of Humboldt for 18 years. His favorite part of his job was showing children how the truck worked at events or honking for them if they gave the signal. He enjoyed building and driving a decorated truck in the annual Christmas Truckers Parade. Matt was also quietly proud of an early morning on Aug 10th, 2021, when he saved a family from a house fire in Eureka he noticed off his route. It wasn’t unusual for him to pick up extra routes and fill in when needed. When it came to a strong work ethic, he walked his talk. On September 15, the full fleet of Recology trucks (25+) lined up in front of the Hospice House to welcome and honor their co-worker and beloved friend, who dedicated 18 years to Recology and even more years to the community. Tears were shed, stories were told, and most importantly–love was felt throughout the gathering as they said goodbye to a dear friend, husband, father, brother, and community member. Matt made many friends along his garbage routes and people looked forward to seeing him. Matt also told his family that he looked forward to seeing them.

Matt was preceded in death by his mother Paula Poncia, his mother-in-law Cindy Bilderback, both his maternal and paternal grandparents, Uncle Gary Poncia and Aunt Gretchen Howard.

Matt leaves behind his amazing wife of 20 years, Brandy (age 41); his three loving sons Trevor (age 19), Brody (age 13) and Jax (age 11); his brother Todd Taylor; his nephew, Andrew Taylor, his father Robert Taylor; his Uncle and Aunt Scott and Joyce Taylor; his cousins Dan and Lacey Comer, Billy Comer, Kevin Taylor, Adam Taylor; his in-laws Dan and Marlene Birnie, Gene and Karren Bilderback, and Eileen Ayers; his brother-in-law and wife Robbie and Nikia Birnie; his brother-in-law Matt Bilderback; his sister-in-law and family Jenny, Matt, and Raylan Orsua; his beloved dog of 13 years, Charlie; his turtle or 20 years, Tough. There are too many guys who were like brothers to Matt to name them all, but you know who you are. Matt spoke so highly of his friends, and they were a big part of his life, Matt loved all of you.

The support from the community, family and friends has been UNBELIEVABLE! Matt was blessed with family, many solid friendships and co-workers who gave him an incredible welcome to Hospice House on Friday, September 15, 2023. He was able to see the love and support of the community he called home before his passing.

His family and friends lost a special man who would drop everything to help someone in need. The world was a better place because of Matt. He left an imprint on all of us. Matt wished on his last day that everyone can learn something from this tragic loss, whether it be being kind to others, lending a helping hand when able, leading by example, working hard but playing harder, and of course family first. Be the friend to others that Matt was to all of us. Matt Taylor you’re a legend in all our hearts!

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the dedicated Oncology department, emergency department and hospital staff of St. Joseph Hospital for their care and support of Matt and his family. The family would also like to acknowledge and thank the Hospice House of Humboldt for providing Matt, his family, and his friends, the opportunity to participate in Matt’s last days in a serene and peaceful setting. We also have a special thanks to Joyce Taylor for being like a mother to Matt and being by his side during this battle at every single appointment.

Donations can be made to the family GoFundMe to support medical and service expenses.

https://tinyurl.com/Taylor-Go-Fund-Me

Please join Matt’s family in a Celebration of Matt’s life on Sunday, October 22, 2023, 1 p.m., at Redwood Acres, 3750 Harris St., Eureka.

Charles Richard Lloyd born Oct. 21, 1961 in Loma Linda — died Sept. 26, 2023, Fortuna.

How do I sum up our father’s life? Do I go back to his childhood? My grandmother says that he was a sweet boy that always liked to help out with everything. So I guess that is a good place to start. Fifteen years ago my dad moved to Fortuna and started going to the SDA church during which time he volunteered to bring food to the homeless. He built a life here trying to do for others even when he had nothing to give. He made friends everywhere he went with his sarcastic wit and his love of a good joke, although he’d still laugh at a bad one.

Our dad had three children starting with me in 1982, then my sister Mandy in 1984, and finally my brother James in 1996. In 2004 my sister gave him his grandson Daniel. He was married 3 times, first to my sister and my mother Wendy until they got divorced and he married my brother’s mother Darla where he gained a stepson Johnathan until she passed in 2005, then finally to his third wife until their divorce a few years ago. My mom also had another daughter Karrie after their divorce and even though she was not my father’s child he still treated her like she was one and when she had a daughter Trinity he treated her like a granddaughter. Maybe we all didn’t get along all of the time but we were a happy family for the most part.

He loved to create things with his hands, building fantastic pieces with any kind of wood that he could get his hands on. Beautiful cabinets that when into a friend’s home or the cabinets that helped our grandparents sell their house or the dresser he made for Trinity that was made to grow with her. He could do anything and watching him create will always be a strong memory for all of us.

There are a thousand little things we will miss. Like Mandy getting a happy birthday two days early and me getting one two days late, because no matter how many times we told him he had our dates switched he would still get it wrong every year. Sitting around the breakfast table waiting our turn to get his Spanish eggs, although it was probably not exactly traditional in any sense. Going off roading with him became a lifelong event that we shared with Daniel to carry on the fun we all had. Sitting and having conversations from things that were silly to philosophical debates and everything in between. We all carry on these memories and will pass them to the next generation to keep him in our hearts.

Sitting here writing this has made me nostalgic and miss when he was well before he started to feel sick. So many thoughts and wishes that he was still here to talk to just to see if there was some awkward and ridiculous joke that he thought I should add to this. Something silly and probably on the darker side. He would probably tell me not to cry or be sad. I’m only crying a little, but I’m not sad. Not really. We all miss him. We all wish his life wasn’t cut quite so short. I am not sad though knowing that he is finally not in pain and lives on in us. Every time I look at my hands I see his reflected in them, talking to my sister I hear his banter in ours, looking at my brother or hearing him laugh I hear a shadow of our dad in him and see how much he looks like him only a lighter version. Even Daniel has something of his that will always make me smile when I see it or hear it. We all got his sarcasm and quick wit. When we are all together we all do it and it’s because of him and his influence in each of us. We are all different, but there will always be that small part that makes us all the same.

He will be missed by his mother Ellen who knew him from the beginning of his life and his siblings that shared his childhood. He will be missed by his children, those that are by blood and those that are honorary. He will be missed by his friends, the old and the new. By all that loved him, faults and all.

James is wanting to get a service together, so if you know how to reach him he will let everyone know when he has put it all together. If you have any questions or a desire to attend please contact him and he will pass it along.

Thank you for listening to my musings. I know it turned out longer than I wanted, but it was still just a drop in time compared to a man’s life and all of the moments it contains.

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