It is difficult enough for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources - and the Strickland Administration for that matter - to deal with the controversy involving the indicted Ohio Division of Wildlife officials.

That has created something of a tempest, especially in the outdoors community.

Of concern is if this embarrassing episode will harm Strickland's reelection bid.

There are even rumors circulating that this was the work of Strickland operatives to distract from the so-called TrooperGate. That is where the Ohio State Highway Patrol was called off a sting involving prison trustees working at the Governor's residence in Columbus. It centered around the smuggling in of tobacco products for prisoners.

A top staff member was implicated in what Strickland's opponents claim was an attempt to avoid embarrassing the governor.

However, nothing could be further from the political truth. There is no relationship between the two issues of any kind. If anything, the last thing any politician wants is for an embarrassing matter to come forth, regardless of how large or small it is. Politicians won't compound one with the other.

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com