Congressman in Candy Store Suprises Scout

Mountainside eighth grader Jeff Whyte wrote a letter to U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon County) Thursday morning as part of the requirements for a participation in government badge.

Finishing the letter, Whyte put federal tax policy out of his head and headed off with two friends to downtown Westfield to hang out. Looking to browse in Brummer's Chocolates, White questioned one of the crowd in the store, finding out quickly the person in question is an aide to Lance and the congressman was standing several feet away.

Lance was touring the business as part of a tour of downtown Westfield businesses he was doing Thursday morning. Prior to the 30 minute walking tour, Lance held a press conference in front of Robert Treat Deli to discuss small business issues and tax policy, Whyte's new area of interest.

Whyte said he chose to write Lance about federal tax policy because of what he described as the impact of federal tax policy.

"The high taxes have affected my family and other people," he said.

Whyte said the impact has been felt by his family and friends in many ways, including the lack of discretionary income for other areas.

"The taxes are stopping my family and I from spending on other items," he said.

In his letter to Lance, Whyte said he dreams of attending a private school and is worried that tax increases would prevent that from happening.

"The taxes have been getting raised, that affects my family because of the amount of money we have left to spend," Whyte wrote to Lance. "All of those taxes make it difficult for a family to survive. My dream is to go to a private school. With all these taxes my dream is going down the drain."

Lance, who has been advocating against higher taxes during the August congressional recess, indicated that he agreed with Whyte on the issues.

"I couldn't say it better myself," Lance said of Whyte's argument on lower taxes.

Whyte took the time to invite Lance to his brother's upcoming Eagle Scout ceremony, along with his own Eagle Scout ceremony if he makes the rank. Lance, a former state senate minority leader, said he would be checking his schedule, noting he has attended 800 Eagle Scout promotion ceremonies during his political career.

Whyte, who said he is a Republican like Lance, changed his letter after meeting with the congressman to thank him for the meeting.

"It was a pleasure meeting you in Westfield, NJ today, 8/12/10, and any help you can give to lower the taxes in New Jersey would be great," Whyte wrote.

Editor's Note: Patch contributor Josh Solomon contributed to this report.