Gene Marrano
Steve Nelson
(WDBJ7 image)
Roanoke City Councilman Court Rosen is also an appointed member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board – controlling the purse strings on transportation funding. A former State Senate candidate thinks Rosen needs to go. WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
At 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:
Court Rosen
More controversy for Roanoke City Council – a special prosecutor has been appointed in the Court Rosen case – he was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession last month. The real problem could be someone else’s prescription drugs found in his possession as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Saying he is “the most qualified for the position” Sherman Lea announced he is running for Mayor today. Lea will contend for the Democratic nomination at a firehouse primary next spring against Dave Trinkle – no one else has announced a run at this point. The 12-year Roanoke City Councilman says there has been a lot of progress in the city – but he adds:
Things are “very good” in Vinton these days – that was the message from Mayor Brad Grose during his annual State of the Town address this morning. Grose cited the brand-new new Roanoke County library branch, 24-hour fire coverage, the Tinker Creek canoe launch and updated water lines as milestones this past year. Town manager Chris Lawrence says more than 2 million construction dollars have been invested over the past year in Vinton. Here’s part of Mayor Grose’s address: