Former Hershey Trustee urges Kathleen Kane for AG

Comments of Robert Reese, former Trustee of the Milton Hershey Trust

— October 30, 2012

Why am I, normally a Republican, supporting Kathleen Kane for Attorney General of Pennsylvania and encouraging others, whether Republicans or Democrats, to do so as well?

First, attack ads were run in late September against Kathleen Kane claiming as a prosecutor she was “soft on rapists”. The ads were not only false (the father of one of the rape victims said so and asked the ads be withdrawn) but wrong. To call any woman “soft on rapists” is just plain cruel and deeply disturbing.
The second reason for supporting Kathleen Kane is she is tough on crime. She expresses a special passion to protect Pennsylvania’s citizens and a deep compassion for the families of crime victims, something of special importance to me and my family. Like the first reason, this has nothing to do with politics.

The third reason for supporting Kathleen Kane is that she is our, Pennsylvania’s, only chance for having an independent Attorney General. One candidate, Mr. Freed, has himself said he has a conflict of interest because the Attorney General is doing an investigation of the Hershey Trust that involves his father-in-law, who was its chairman for many years. He has acknowledged he is not independent and cannot handle all of the Attorney General’s duties. Pennsylvania needs an Attorney General who can do so from day one.
Lastly, my speaking out now is about the over 3,000 Hershey Chocolate workers who have lost their jobs over the last years. These workers are the real people who made Hershey Chocolate what it is, who have real families that are struggling. The three members of the Hershey Trust Board who were or are on the Hershey (Chocolate) Company Board that approved the closing and tearing down of Mr. Hershey’s plant each receive over $200,000 annually in Board fees, not including the annual $100,000+ Hershey Trust and Milton Hershey Board compensation.
This is also about the tearing down of Mr. Hershey’s iconic chocolate plant, the anchor of downtown Hershey. This is about the ‘Great American Chocolate Bar’ no longer being made in Hershey from cocoa beans, and the sweet smell of chocolate in the air gone forever. This is about reports of actual or potential lines not in service at the Reese Plant in Hershey and its possible future. A unique provision of Pennsylvania law passed in 2002 requires the economic and social impact on the community be taken into account by a charitable Trust in the community where the Trust’s beneficiary is located. The Attorney General’s Office is responsible for overseeing this.

One candidate for Attorney General has a conflict of interest and is not independent on all matters. One candidate is independent and can fully carry out the duties of the office of Attorney General. That is Kathleen Kane, and this is why I support her and urge others to do so, regardless for whom you vote for other offices.

Thank you,

Robert Reese