Roanoke Rapids Mayor Emery Doughtie told the city council he would not step down after his wife, Yvonne, made comments last week regarding race, housing, and city schools in a Facebook thread.

Doughtie read his statement this evening before a public comment session in which many speakers called for his resignation.

(rrspin.com will have coverage of the speakers’ comments Wednesday)

Following Doughtie’s comments, Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Bryant read a statement that five council members, excluding the mayor, released Monday condemning racism.

“Last week my wife sent out a post on Facebook. The text contained statements about our community,” he said. “In her comments there were words that targeted the African American sector that are residing in the immediate area of our home.”

He said he and his wife have been associated with the city all their lives. Yvonne was employed by Dominion Energy before leaving to care for their daughter. “I have been self-employed most of my career and have dealt with the public sector every day.”

The words his wife wrote, he said, “were very hurtful to the readers. Words can create anger, but mostly disappointment. For every hurt that we have created, I am sorry. For every ill feeling and anger, I ask for your forgiveness. For the opportunity to continue to serve this entire community that I have tried to do, I ask for your support.”

Doughtie said he and his wife have been together for 44 years. “Just like most people, I support her. We all generally have that bond among family in most situations. Support does not always mean agreement. Support helps us to learn and make good decisions when future challenges arrive.”

Doughtie said while writing the statement, he thought about his many long-term relationships over the past 30-plus years with minority businessmen and women, numerous pastors, community leaders and elected officials. “Sometimes the thoughts were mostly all on the same page — that everyone wanted to create a better community for all.”

He said a while ago, a situation came up involving a city employee who first spoke to his wife, who then directed the employee to him. He discussed the matter with the city manager. “In the end, the employee decided it best to accept another position. We lost a veteran employee that had great people skills as well as the knowledge to perform their tasks. If I were a person that based my thoughts on color, I would not have gotten involved in the matter.”

In the end, the mayor said, “My plan is to continue to serve the city for the remainder of my term. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to speak with you.”