D.C. Council member Michael A. Brown (I-At Large)

As the political fracas continues over the $82 million in parks and rec contracts that D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty quietly funneled through the D.C. Housing Authority (much of it handed to contractors with cozy ties to the mayor), members of the D.C. Council are demanding accountability. None more so than Council member Michael A. Brown (I-At Large). Or not. No, he is. Really. We think.

Since last week, Brown’s office hasn’t really seemed sure what the council member wants. In an October 30 press release, Brown requested that the D.C. Inspector General and D.C. Auditor formally investigate the contracts. Not 30 minutes later, he rescinded that request, saying that he was happy with information he was getting at a hearing. Then today, Brown reissued his request that an investigation occur. We’re hoping not to get another announcement, this time re-rescinding the original request, because Brown is probably on to something — an independent investigation of the contracts and how they were awarded is needed.

In related news, Interim Department of Parks and Recreation Director Ximena Hartsock did not appear before the Council today for a hearing on the contracts (the City Paper’s Mike DeBonis tweeted most of it), leading Council member Harry Thomas, Jr. (D-Ward 5) to announce he is issuing a subpoena for Hartsock, demanding that she appear on Nov. 16. (Or did he? No, he actually did. No fumbling on this one.) Not that we think it was a wise choice for Hartsock not to show, but given how well things went for her the last time she showed up in front of the council, we kind of understand.