David BowersAt a specially-called City Council meeting today Roanoke Mayor David Bowers offered an apology for remarks he made several days ago in a statement about Syrian refugees and the interment of Japanese-Americans during World War II –  comments that made national news. Vice-Mayor Dave Trinkle thanked Bowers for what he termed a “sincere apology.” Bowers pledged to heal the rift with city Council and with residents that objected to his statement made after the Paris attacks:

City Council members said they accepted the Mayor’s apology and would not ask for his resignation but

Bill Bestpitch wasn’t happy that the statement was issued on letterhead from the Mayor’s office: