Scrutiny of the once obscure Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission intensified Tuesday as U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., reaffirmed his intention to remove the commission's executive director and Northwest Indiana lawmakers called for a state audit of the commission's finances.

Also on Tuesday, Hammond City Council President Dan Repay confirmed rumors he has been approached by supporters regarding his interest in replacing the commission's director, Dan Gardner, in the event Gardner is fired next week. Speculation about Gardner's replacement is rife despite the fact the commission is not expected to take action until next week.

"I've been approached by people who share the same goals," Repay said. "This occurrence has amplified the need to get (the levee) done."

The 11-member commission and Gardner have been under intense public fire from Visclosky since the congressman's tour of the flood-ravaged region on Friday. Visclosky on Tuesday said his dissatisfaction with Gardner goes back several years.

In recent days, questions have focused on how some $14 million in nonfederal money has been spent within the last couple of years on the federal flood control project Gardner and the commission oversee. In addition to project costs, the commission's administrative costs are being questioned.

Though the commission's spending pattern is being questioned, Visclosky said Tuesday the trigger to his calling for Gardner's firing was the flood that struck the region, putting thousands out of their homes.

"From my perspective, in the Munster area it was unnecessary," he said. "If the project had been complete that loss would not have occurred."

Visclosky said the trigger for seeking Gardner's job was based on the longtime director's delays and excuses.

He declined to discuss the issues surrounding the $6 million in state money earmarked to expedite the phase of the levee construction that includes Cabela's. Some officials familiar with the project contend the money was spent on other sections of the levee.

"I'm not inclined to revisit all of the past construction (issues) as opposed to where we find ourselves today," he said. "We have got to get that project completed."

Visclosky said his actions surrounding Gardner should not have taken Gardner by surprise.

"Some years ago, I remember a meeting in our congressional office with Mr. Gardner and I asked him a series of questions regarding some certificates of deposit and his suggestion they had no money to move forward," he said.

Visclosky said he was not satisfied with Gardner's response. "There was no doubt of our frustration," he said.

Visclosky said from time to time he also attempted to work with individual commissioners who appeared aggressive but with little success.

Visclosky proposes reducing the number of the commissioners from 11 to five for greater efficiency.

Gardner did not return a call for comment and was reported to be deferring media calls to the commission.

The commission's chairman, William Biller, said Tuesday he is talking with commissioners about a possible special meeting on Tuesday instead of Wednesday of next week. "I think this is an issue that requires all the commissioners be present," he said.

Regarding Northwest Indiana lawmakers seeking a financial audit, Biller said an audit was completed in the last several months with no major findings by the state. Biller said copies will be made available to the public today.

State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, said issues have arisen about the expenditure of the $6 million loan made to the commission by the Regional Development Authority as well as administrative costs.

Soliday said the effort is an opportunity to clear the air and obtain some transparency for the public. "They may have done everything right," he said.

The lawmakers' letter, delivered to the State Board of Accounts on Tuesday, is co-signed by state Reps. Don Lehe, R-Brookston; Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville; Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster and Linda Lawson, D-Hammond. Also signing on were state Sens. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake; Frank Mrvan Jr., D-Hammond; Karen Tallian, D-Portage; and Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso.