NEWS
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS
A3
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023
Lawmakers demand Hunter Biden hand 05",)# ./4)#%3 over foreign business deal documents
cont’d on B4
The committee demanded Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Eric Schwerin hand over documents concerning their foreign dealings.
By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE
(The Center Square) – House Oversight Republicans ratcheted up their investigation into Hunter Biden Thursday, calling on the president’s son and his associates to hand over documents that allegedly show illicit business dealings. The committee demanded Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Eric Schwerin hand over documents concerning their foreign dealings. Critics allege Hunter Biden used his father’s political clout to secure overseas deals that could have compromised the president. “The American people deserve transparency and accountability about the Biden family’s influence peddling,” said Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who chairs the oversight committee. “The Oversight Committee is committed to exposing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has taken place at the highest levels of our government.” The committee is particularly interested in finding out to what extent President Joe Biden was involved in the dealings, or at least what he was aware of, arguing that if foreign entities know of any wrongdoing, it could compromise national security. Oversight Republicans vowed after taking a majority in November to make this
investigation one of their top concerns. Hunter Biden is currently under federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. “Evidence obtained in our investigation reveals the Biden family business model is built on Joe Biden’s political career and connections,” Rep. Comer said. “Biden family members attempted to sell access around the world, including individuals who were connected to the Chinese Communist Party, to enrich themselves to the detriment of American interests. If President Biden is compromised by deals with foreign adversaries and they are impacting his decision making, this is a threat to national security.” The Hunter Biden investigation has many legal avenues and opportunities for prosecution aside from foreign entanglements, including potential tax violations and false statements to federal law enforcement. Politically, Hunter Biden’s investigation further complicates Hunter Biden’s 2024
aspirations, especially now that the president faces his own investigation over a trove of classified documents found in his possession from his time in the Obama administration. Hunter Biden has until Feb. 22 to respond to the committee’s letter. The committee is considering new ethics laws to explicitly prohibit certain elements of Hunter Biden’s behavior. “Evidence shows that you engaged in foreign business deals with individuals who were connected to the Chinese Communist Party and received significant amounts of money from foreign companies without providing any known legitimate services,” the committee’s letter to Hunter Biden said. “The Committee is investigating President Biden’s knowledge of and role in these foreign business deals to assess whether he has compromised our national security at the expense of the American people. You and your associates’ financial conduct raises significant ethics and national security concerns.”
NOTICE OF PUBLICATIONS ON APPLICATIONS REGARDING PROVISIONS OF TITLE 28 AND/OR 30 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA (SBMC)
The Secretary of the Staff Hearing Officer has set a public hearing for Wednesday, February 22, 2023 beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the David Gebhard Public Meeting Room, 630 Garden Street. On Thursday, February 16, 2023, an Agenda with all items to be heard on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 will be available online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SHO. Agendas, Minutes, and Staff Reports are also accessible online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SHO. TELEVISION COVERAGE: This meeting will be broadcast live on City TV-Channel 18 and online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityTV. See SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityTVProgramGuide for a rebroadcast schedule. An archived video of this meeting will be available at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SHOVideos. WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments may be submitted via email to SHOSecretary@ SantaBarbaraCA.gov before the beginning of the Meeting. All public comments submitted via email will be provided to the SHO and will become part of the public record. You may also submit written correspondence via US Postal Service (USPS); addressed to SHO Secretary, PO Box 1990, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990. However, please be advised, correspondence sent via USPS may not be received in time to process prior to the meeting and email submissions are highly encouraged. Please note that the SHO may not have time to review written comments received after 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before the meeting. All public comment that is received before 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before the meeting will be published on the City’s website at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SHO Comments provided via USPS or e-mail will be converted to a PDF before being posted on the City’s website. Note: comments will be published online the way they are received and without redaction of personal identifying information; including but not limited to phone number, home address, and email address. Only submit information that you wish to make available publicly. APPEALS: Decisions of the SHO may be appealed to the Planning Commission. Appeals may be filed in person at the Community Development Department at 630 Garden Street or in writing via email to SHOSecretary@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. For further information and guidelines on how to appeal a decision to the Planning Commission, please contact Planning staff at (805) 564-5578 as soon as possible. Appeals and associated fee must be submitted in writing, via email to PlanningCounter@ SantaBarbaraCA.gov and by first class mail postage prepaid within 10 calendar days of the meeting that the SHO took action or rendered a decision. Appeals and associated fee post marked after the 10th calendar day will not be accepted. NOTE TO INTERESTED PARTIES: Only those persons who participate through public comment either orally or in writing on an item on this Agenda have standing to appeal the decision. Grounds for appeal are limited to those issues raised either orally or in written correspondence delivered to the review body at, or prior to, the public hearing. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: If you need services or staff assistance to attend or participate in this meeting, please contact the SHO Secretary at (805) 564-5470, extension 3308. If possible, notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will usually enable the City to make reasonable arrangements. Specialized services, such as sign language interpretation or documents in Braille, may require additional lead time to arrange. 1. 1731 Santa Barbara Street
TRIBUTE
Burt Bacharach leaves legacy of timeless hits By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
The brightness of Burt Bacharach’s music was as dynamic as the constant twinkle in his eye. Mr. Bacharach — the legendary composer known for mellow but compelling hits varying from “What the Word Needs Now” (that would be “love, sweet love”) to “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” — has died. Mr. Bacharach, who teamed up with lyricist Hal David for
Burt Bacharach
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
his timeless songs in the 1960s, was 94. Mr. Bacharach died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home. The Grammy and Oscar winner seemed always at ease at the piano. In fact, it’s impossible to think of Mr. Bacharach without imagining him sitting at a grand piano, and his playing was as smooth and effortless as the music that wrote. He composed the music for songs performed by Dusty Springfield (“The Look of Love” in the 1967 James Bond spoof “Casino Royale”), Tom Jones (“What’s New, Pussycat?” from the movie of the same name), Neil Diamond and the Carpenters (“(They Long to Be) Close to You”). Jackie O’Shannon sang “What the World Needs Now.” Yes, Mr. Bacharach was the king of mellow. But he could also jazz things up with “Say A Little Prayer,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and “Walk on By.” All three were hits recorded by popular 1960s singer Dionne Warwick. And all three songs had power because Mr. Bacharach knew how to drive a song gently and when to step on the gas — but not too much. It was always a smooth ride when you heard a Burt Bacharach song. Mr. Bacharach became famous not only for hits recorded by pop singers, but his music that defined movie soundtracks in the late 20th century. Mr. Bacharach earned his first Oscars in 1970 for “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” which
he wrote for the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and for the score for the same movie, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. In 1982, Mr. Bacharach and his then-wife Carole Bayer Sager won an Oscar for “The Best That You Can Do,” the theme from “Arthur,” starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. Christopher Cross was Mr. Bacharach and Ms. Sager’s choice to sing the song. And Mr. Bacharach and Ms. Sager, a lyricist, co-wrote “That’s What Friends Are For.” The mid-1980s recording of the song, which raised millions of dollars for AIDS research, featured Ms. Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. Known for a persona as easygoing as his songs, Mr. Bacharach started his career in the 1950s as a pianist for movie star and vocalist Marlene Dietrich as she sang around the world. Mr. Bacharach is best known for his collaborations with Mr. David, who died in 2012. But Mr. Bacharach collaborated with others as well, including Elvis Costello. The two received Grammys in 1999 for best pop collaboration with vocals for “I Still Have That Other Girl.” In the 1960s, Mr. Bacharach was married to movie and TV star Angie Dickinson. Mr. Bacharach is survived by his fourth wife, Jane Hansen, whom he married in 1993, and sons Oliver and Cristopher and daughter Raleigh.
Assessor’s Parcel Number:
027-111-016
Zoning Designation:
RS (Residential Single Unit)
Application Number:
PLN2022-00257
Applicant / Owner:
Stacy Fausset, Landscape Architect / Marc Jones
Project Description:
Landscape/hardscape improvements; new paint; new pool.
2. 2523 Crescent Ave. Assessor’s Parcel Number:
051-362-005
Zoning Designation:
RS-7.5 (Residential Single Unit/ USS)
Application Number:
PLN2022-00471
Applicant / Owner:
Jerry Rocci, Rocci Design / JGJM COOPER MANAGEMENT, LLC
Project Description:
Alterations to lower residential unit with lot area modification FEB 10 / 2023 -- 59034
Mr. Bacharach’s and Ms. Dickinson’s daughter, Nikki, took her own life in 2007 at age 40. Mr. Bacharach and Ms. Sager adopted Cristopher. Mr. Bacharach shared Oliver and Raleigh with Ms. Hansen. Right up to the end, Mr. Bacharach loved talking about his music. This writer saw him a few years ago at the Turner Classic Movies festival in Hollywood, where he smiled and cheerfully answered questions after a screening of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” He seemed very relaxed as he appeared on stage before an audience of almost a thousand people at TCL Chinese Theatre (originally Grauman’s Chinese Theatre). The only thing that was missing was a grand piano.
1 . ! ĠĢŻĢĦ #!1 /ũ W ~fv f|R cfqR uYEd ƒğĞŧĞĞĞ Zd NqRPZu NEqP fq fuYRq PRMuŧ rRR Yf| !EuZfdEb RMu .RbZRW NEd qRrfb{R ~fvq PRMu Wfq E WqENuZfd fW |YEu ~fv f|RŬ
Ebb ufPE~Ŧ
ğżĦĢĢżĠĦĥżģġğģ ACCREDITED BUSINESS ®
email: dmason@newspress.com
:30928))6 : 30928))6 % %8 8 8 8,) ,) :30928))6 %8 8,)
6)%+%2 6 )%+%2 6 6%2', %2', ' ')28)6 )28)6 6)%+%2 6%2', ')28)6
SPORTS ROUNDUP SB beats Valley Christian Academy in playoffs The Santa Barbara High boys basketball team defeated Valley Christian Academy of Santa Maria on Wednesday, winning on the road by a score of 72-46. “We got off to a bit of a sluggish start because of their defense,” said Santa Barbara Coach Corey Adam. “We had not faced a zone defense for more than a few possessions since December. It took us a quarter and a half to really get the shots we wanted. It is great to see the continued growth and maturation of this group.” Luke Zuffelato led the Dons with 21 points, while Tobin Shyrock scored ten to reach double digits for the fifth time in eight games. Waylon Finkel scored nine points, Jack Holdren and Will Harman each added eight and Owen Debusk contributed seven. Santa Barbara will return to action at home against Gariellino on Friday.
SM boys basketball falls in first round The San Marcos boys basketball team lost to Agoura in the first round of the CIF Southern Section 2A playoffs, falling by a score of 88-51. The Royals kept it close in the first quarter, closing out the period with a five-point deficit. Agoura began to expand their lead in the second, leading to the lopsided final score behind the offense of Zane Miller and Nasir Meyer, who combined for 71 of the
Chargers’ 88 points. “A tough way to see this season come to an end for sure,” said Royals coach James Kinzler. “A lot of credit to Agoura. They have some very nice players who obviously shot it very well. Proud of our guys for their season and for our growth and accomplishments as a team, it just wasn’t our night tonight.” San Marcos was led by Micah Jacobi’s 12 points. Joe Pasternack added ten points, while Diego Reyes, Wyatt Miller and Koji Hefner each scored seven.
DP girls water polo victorious over El Segundo The Dos Pueblos High girls basketball team defeated El Segundo on Wednesday, winning by a score of 9-7. Dos Pueblos overcame a slow start to earn the victory, starting out the game down 2-1 at the end of the first quarter. By the end of the second, they had tied the game at four before taking and holding the lead in the third and fourth quarters. Dos Pueblos was led by Emma Gilbert’s five goals, while Ava Bennett scored two. Addison Parrish and Alina King each scored one. Megan Garner recorded eight blocks. Dos Pueblos will carry a 16-11 overall record and an 8-2 mark in league play into their next game against Santa Margarita Catholic High School on Saturday. - Compiled by Matt Smolensky
hźĚýƶĨġ ōŰ ġźǛŰƶźǛŰ ®ýŰƶý ýơęýơýۛ ƶňĨ ¦ĨýŁýŰ ¦ýŰĚň ĨŰƶĨơ ŁýťťĨơōĨƩ ƶĨťť ƶňĨ Ʃƶźơǡ źŀ ¦ýŰĚňź ġĨť ōĨťźۛ ƶňĨ ۽ٺٺٸýĚơĨ ¦ýŰĚň ƶňýƶ £ơĨƩōġĨŰƶ ¦ĨýŁýŰ ĚýťťĨġ ňźŮĨ ŀźơ ŰĨýơťǡ ٷٴǡĨýơƩۡ Ʃ ý ġźĚĨŰƶۛ ǡźƾ Ǜōťť ťĨýġ ƶźƾơƩۛ ƞýơƶōĚōƞýƶĨ ōŰ ƩƞĨĚōýť ĨǚĨŰƶƩۛ ýŰġ ęĨĚźŮĨ ýŰ ĨǠƞĨơƶ ōŰ ¦ĨýŁýŰ ňōƩƶźơǡ ōŰ źơġĨơ ƶź ƩňýơĨ ýŰġ ƞơĨƩĨơǚĨ ƶňĨ ťĨŁýĚǡ źŀ źƾơ ٲٶƶň £ơĨƩōġĨŰƶۡ
'328%'8 ' 328%'8 9 97 7 '328%'8 97 ʫʣʨʠʬʨʪʠʤʬʫʣ ˠ˔˗˗˜˘˗ʳ˥˘˔˚˔ˡ˥˔ˡ˖˛ʡˢ˥˚