Former President Bush arrives in Montecito for private Turner Foundation fundraiser
MONTECITO, Calif. - The Santa Barbara based Turner Foundation has welcomed former U.S. President George W. Bush to a 60th anniversary event at the Rosewood Miramar Hotel in Montecito.
Bush landed at the Santa Barbara airport in a private jet about 4 p.m. He was taken by a motorcade to the hotel and parked in the back. After a reception the motorcade moved to the front of the hotel where the Chandelier Ballroom is located.
Earlier in the day, nearby residents and shoppers who found out about the visit were asked what they would say to the former President if they were invited. June Ferguson said, "I would ask him how he's feeling, is he feeling well? Because he not been feeling good. "
Many want to talk politics. Carla Labat said she would ask, "President Bush, how do we get back on target?"
Bush is at the event because of a relationship he has with the principals of the Turner Foundation going back years to Texas. It is still unclear if he is going to talk about affordable housing which is what the Turner group specializes in, or the current state of politics and the upcoming election.
When it comes to his two terms in office Mark Ditomassi said, "George Bush wasn't my favorite but he id a great job at least he was a gentleman."
Concerns were raised about the impeachment hearings and the months ahead in Washington D.C. Carla Labat said, "Is it dying? Or are we still salvagable in terms of morals and our laws?"
One resident wanted to hear the perspective of politics from the ex-President hoping Mr. Bush would provide some insights. Sandra Denton says however, " nobody listens." She said it doesn't matter what party you belong to she believes the current political picture would not be viewed "as being OK"
During his Presidency between 2001 and 2009 Bush led the country after the 911 attacks. Mark Ditomassi remembers saying "I think he brought us through it and he was a good leader. He stuck with our troops and stuck with our nation."
(More details and video will be added here later today.)
For more information go to: https://theturnerfoundation.com/
