There was a fundraiser Thursday evening for state Sen. Marc Dann, the Democratic nominee for Ohio attorney general. That alone would not have raised any eyebrows. After all, money is the mother's milk of politics, and in the attorney general's race, the Republican nominee, Betty Montgomery, is a cha-ching machine.

So, what was it about the fundraiser for Dann that attracted this writer's attention? It was the invitation.

Here's what it said, in part: "Host Committee Attorney David J. Betras, Attorney Michael Harshman, Attorney Susan Maruca, Attorney Brian Kopp, Attorney Chris Maruca and Attorney Elizabeth Bernard Cordially Invite You to Attend a Wine/Jazz Reception to Honor Senator Marc Dann ... Candidate for Attorney General ... Thursday, October 19, 2006 ... 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. ... At the home of Attorney Michael Harshman and Mayor Ruth Wilkes ... 5786 Lamplighter Drive ... Liberty Township, Ohio 44420."

Mayor Ruth Wilkes of Liberty Township? Hardly.

Wilkes' is the mayor of Poland Village, but more than that, she's a Republican.

There's been talk that Wilkes won't be seeking re-election when her term is up. Perhaps that's why she played hostess to a whole bunch of Democrats last week in Trumbull County.

Incidentally, there was a minimum contribution of $250 to attend the fundraiser for Dann.