Roanoke Mayor David Bowers praised Roanoke’s council, administrators and school officials but proposed no major policy initiatives in the first state-of-the-city speech of his revived political career.

Bowers promised sweeping changes to city hall during his spring campaign but has shifted to a more downbeat approach since taking office.

Most of the speech focused on the city’s "Clean and Green" campaign, which was spearheaded by Councilwoman Gwen Mason. Bowers touted the city’s strides while calling for residents and businesses to play a role in making the city more environmentally friendly.

"Help us make Roanoke the cleanest and greenest city in Virginia by taking an active role and responsibility for improving and preserving the visual appeal and the natural beauty of our community," Bowers said.

To that end, he encouraged businesses to replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs; explore shorter work weeks; adopt policies to limit vehicle idling; provide incentives for employees to use public transportation; and buy local produce from the farmer’s market.

Those in attendance were even handed CFL bulbs as they left the event.

Bowers said the seven members of city council had "worked hard to build trust and positive productive relationships."

"I think we’ve put the soap opera behind us," Bowers said.

He also praised Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham, saying that the council’s relationship with her and her staff "couldn’t be better."

And although he pledged during his campaign to fight to keep Forest Park Elementary School open, instead of turning it into an academy for overage middle and high school students, Bowers appears to have backed off that battle. Instead, he complimented Roanoke Superintendent Rita Bishop for her initiative on the overage academy as a means to raise graduation rates.

After the speech, Bowers said his stance against closing schools remains unchanged.

"I do support the overage academy and I always did. It’s just I wanted it to be some place else," Bowers said. "I also believe we ought to maintain all of our elementary schools. It’s important to our children and it’s important to our neighborhoods."

When pressed further, Bowers added, "I would say that no other schools have closed since I became mayor."