New face challenges veteranBy Yvonne Wenger (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Monday, May 12, 2008
Tara Bussjager classified her campaign for Dorchester County's state House District 98 seat as a "David and Goliath race," while incumbent Rep. Annette Young said she's worked hard in the Legislature to earn seniority and wants to build on her previous 17 years in office. The competitors each say that constituent service is at the heart of their motivation for running. "I can provide true constituent representation for working families and my neighbors struggling to pay their taxes," said Bussjager, 58, a real estate broker and auditor. Young said she is motivated to run for the same reason she ran in 1990. "Constituent service, making sure government works for the people in my district," said Young, 55, who owns a rental property management company. "They pay for it. They deserve it." Bussjager said she is running a grassroots campaign. To that end, she had raised a little more than $1,000, most of which came from a loan, according to the state's April 10 filing forms. Young has about $84,000. Bussjager accused Young of letting her previous job with a developer interfere with her legislative duties and questioned the origin of her campaign contributions. Young said she has received small checks worth less than $100 from constituents, on upwards. As for working for a developer, Young said she could not support her family on the $10,400 annual salary of a legislator. "You can't make a living, support a family and pay for education without a second job," Young said. "I have two kids that went to college that I had to support." Young added, "I don't want to get into personal attacks and I am not going to." In terms of issues facing the Summerville area, Bussjager said she is concerned with finding a state-level solution to infrastructure costs. One idea she supports is school impact fees. Bussjager also said she is a fiscal conservative and wants to change the Legislature's spending practices. She also wants to improve education by, for example, enticing corporations to help fund programs with tax incentives. Young said one of her priorities in an upcoming term would be to redesign the state's 30-year-old education funding formula. She has been appointed to a study committee to examine it. Young said she is trying to designate more current state spending toward classrooms and roads. She added that during her time on the Ways and Means Committee, where she is now vice chairwoman, the Legislature returned tax dollars to the taxpayers, including property tax reform and elimination of the grocery tax. 
The Post and Courier Tara Bussjager Tara Bussjager Birth date: Feb. 8, 1950. Family: Husband John; three children; two grandchildren. Education: Attended Holy Names Academy, Seattle; attended University of Washington, Seattle. Occupation: Real estate broker and auditor. Previous elected office: None. Why are you running for office? To provide the residents of Dorchester County access and representation in Columbia. This county has needs not being met that merit new ideas and solutions. What's the toughest issue facing the district and state? For the district, unbridled growth, which has been unaccompanied by infrastructure including roads and schools. For the state, it is economic issues. 
The Post and Courier Annette Young Annette Young Birth date: June 25, 1952. Family: Widow of Roger Allen; two children. Education: R.B. Stall High School, graduate; attended classes at Trident Technical College. Occupation: President, Young Enterprises, a rental property management company. Previous elected office: S.C. House of Representatives, 1991-present. Why are you running for office? To make things happen for the people in my district, whether it's improving education, working with the DOT (state Department of Transportation) or cutting taxes. What's the toughest issue facing the district and state? An issue very important to us in the Low- country is the education funding formula. That, and trying to get more money in the classroom. Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@ postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 11 comment(s)
Posted by zoomru on May 12, 2008 at 3:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Uh -OH We may need to get a SMARTER women to RUN!! I wonder how many donations are coming in from the "Status Quo" left field and how much are coming in the "VOUCHER" right field?? It looks like Status Quo... so Torpedo both of them!!
BUT!!..TARA..you can save the farm on this ONE issue!! That's Right ..guess? Its the States Landfills!! We have only 18 in the STATE! Far fewer than schools!!! The solution to closing these DUMPS will be using machines similar to the ones found at www.startech.net !! They plasmafy the trash and produce Hydrogen and electricity to
....SELL or be SWAPPED for CREDIT from the power company! As it stands NOW, there is too much slush money coming back around from the haulers into county council to do what is RIGHT!!! THEY think land is CHEAP!! DO YOU?? You can take Senatora Annetta Young-ISTA to the
"Woodshed" on this ONE issue ALONE!! WHAT has she done to solve the BEES FERRY LANDFILL ISSUE?? Don't be a rookie and let her pass it off as a COUNTY PROBLEM!! You are a SMART
Real Estate Auditor? Aren't YOU?! Marion County still has OPEN Field DUMPING and Laurens County is trying to expand by 140 acres?! Do you know this???!! If Senatora Byrd-ASA has read my countless emails..she does!!! What's she doing!!!
Posted by zoomru on May 12, 2008 at 3:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you want to know why I called her Senatora Byrd-ASA....ask Mrs. Young why the PEE DEE is getting a COAL plant? The answer is in West Virginia!!!
Posted by zoomru on May 12, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ladies....you mean that I'm the ONLY person interested in your "campaign"!!
This State is in a HEAP a TROUBLE!!! Is any one gonna vote for either one of YOU!!! 17 Years Mrs. Young..17 Years???
I've never heard of you and I've lived in Charleston might near 20!?
1) What have you done to profitize off OUR LANDFILLS???
2) How many weeks a session are you CAMPED out at DOT about an Elevated MASS Transit system for OUR great STATE??
3) What stand do you take concerning the PEE DEE COAL "SPEWING" PLANT for our good neighbors in OUR STATE????
4) Do you EXPECT to be in office until ..2018?? ...2018??
5) Do enjoy Sombreros and hosting SPANISH TUPPERWARE ..fiestas??
6) Are you going to retire to L.A. since you OBVIOUSLY want to PAVE OUR STATE with wider HIghways!!
7) How are "visitors" going to get to work if you let employers HIRE them!
Posted by zoomru on May 12, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yvonne!!!!!!
Call Glenn and have him fire a few shots from his CANNON to liven this RACE UP!!!! TARA is NON-Native and Annette is asleep at the WHEEL!!
An issue very important to us in the Low- country is the education funding formula. That, and trying to get more money in the classroom
** SHAZAM **
VOUCHERS..LADIES....VOUCHERS!!!!
Posted by zoomru on May 12, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ladies.. Jim Rex has WOKE UP!!
http://www.wspa.com/midatlantic
/spa/news.apx.-content-
articles-SPA-2008-05-12-0010.html
PILOT PROGRAM?? This should have been off the ground at least 10 years ago!! Mrs. YOUNG ...have you heard of E-BOOKS??
Torpedo the book companies!! My LORD!! AND don't BACK DOWN ON EXPRING SUBSCRIPTIONS that suck tax payer dollars! 2+2=4 and has =4 for Eternity...we don't need a NEW e-books every 2 years!!!!!
Posted by zoomru on May 12, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yvonne!!! **RED ALERT **
http://www.beaufortgazette.com
/local/story/434433.html
THESE DEBATES NEED TO BE STATEWIDE!! I wonder what kind of questions these radio hosts are going to ASK???
Posted by poli1471 on May 12, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SHEW......take a breath zoom.
Posted by LoveDorchester on May 13, 2008 at 1:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish someone would ask Annette about hitting that tree on Golf Rd. in the mid 90s. Then being taken to the police station for DUI before "just being taken home instead"! No DUI ever recorded, video tapes destroyed, (hate it when that happens). Randy Scott should have called her instead of everyone else, she knows how to get out of them!
Posted by LoveDorchester on May 13, 2008 at 1:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi Folks; We don't need to write anymore about Annette Young. All you need to do is go to FITSNEWS.com, type in Annette Young in the search box and settle in for some interesting reading. And for those that think she works for us, here's a little insight. She was until recently and probably still is a VP with Goodstein Enterprises. Who is that you ask? Summerville Homes LLC. Question, how do you suppose she voted on every piece of legislation connected with the home building industry? Do you think she checked her financial interest at the door before voting? Check out FITSNEWS.com, she LOVES that sight!!!
Posted by zoomru on May 13, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LoveDorcheaster...your fit as a FIDDLE!!!
I know poli1471... but this stuff has to be called on the CARPET!!
Posted by TaraBussjager on May 15, 2008 at 4:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rarely does a reporter publish an accurate account of an interview of their subject. I was particularly disappointed by the negative slant and lack of substance, considering I offered written answers to questions regarding specific issues, about which I am particularly concerned. While blogging is an effective method of venting one's frustrations, I am actually doing what I once dreaded and hoped someone else would step forward to do...challenge an incumbant with 18 years of ineffective tenure. In my opinion, despite the many committes on which she has served, that gravitas and seniority has not translated into either action or constituent representation, unless of course you are a builder or developer. For the record, I am deeply comitted to comprehensive planning for future healthy growth in Dorchester County, as well as the rest of the state. Healthy growth should be an indicator of good jobs, quality education for our children, and concurrent infrastructure.
The reporter and I discussed my views on such issues as:
*Concurrency of infrastructure with future residential development
*Annexation reform to prevent shoe string annexations as evidenced by N. Charleston's annexation attempt through the Barry tract to Watson Hill...developer zone shopping
*Legislation to allow individual counties to impose developer impact fees for school construction (schools were specifically removed from the 1999 bill due to concerted lobbying by the home builder's association and Realtor's
lobby)
*Re-writing the 30 yr. old public school funding formula which penalizes Dorchester County
*School Choice, of which I am a strong advocate, utilizing tax credits and vouchers
*Accelerating vocational education within our public high schools to fulfill the needs of students who wish to enter the work place without attending university
*Indefensible wreckless spending of a $1.5 Billion surplus on pork earmarks and "competitive grants" while the infrastructure bank ran dry and core government functions are now being cut in an economic downturn
*Transparency of the budget process
*Restructuring of State Government which has grown 40% in three years
*The incumbent's overrides of the Governor's spending vetoes
*Her involvement in "Beattygate"...the campaign to elect an ultra liberal judge to the SC supreme court with understanding of quid pro quo to elect her boss's wife, Diane Goodstein to the next opening
*The incumbent's married children utilizing legislative license plates on their personal cars while their mother publicises her position on the "ethics committee"
*Removing the incentives that attract illegal immigrants to SC
*DUI reform...no doubt the incumbent will not weigh in on that one...see
P & C archives
Shall I go on? If you wish to have a serious discussion about these issues or others of concern, please contact me at Tara4StateHouse@aol.com and plan to Vote June 10th.