(WPBF-TV) — VERO BEACH, Fla. —Hours after about 25 faith-based leaders met in Vero Beach in response to Mayor Craig Fletcher's proclamation during a City Council meeting that he would not deal with any group that doesn't believe in Jesus Christ, the mayor emailed a public apology to the media.
"It was a horrific statement and on reflection was way out of place for an elected official to take such a stance," wrote Fletcher in a two-paragraph apology. "I hope everyone will find it in their heart to forgive me."
Before hearing of Fletcher's apology, religious and other clergy met at Community Church of Vero Beach to draft a letter to the City Council.